[B-Greek] EPI in MATT 3:7
George F Somsel
gfsomsel at yahoo.com
Thu Sep 28 11:07:09 EDT 2006
IDWN DE POLLOUS TWN FARISAIWN KAI SADDOUKAIWN ERXOMENOUS EPI TO BAPTISMA AUTOU EIPEN AUTOIS, "GENNHMATA EXIDNWN, TIS hUPEDEICEN hUMIN FUGEIN APO THS MELLOUSHS ORGHS
There are a number of relationships which could be expressed through the use of EPI. Among them are proximity and purpose (I leave out others). PROS could likewise indicate proximity or purpose. I therefore don't think that one can conclude simply because of which word is used here that one relationship is indicated rather than another. It is the context of the passage which supplies the clues as to what is intended. In this case, I think the very speech of the Baptist is indicative of what was intended. It would seem that the Pharisees and Saddoucees were groupies. They wanted to "catch the wave" and be a part of the popular trend. It is thus not because they came to be baptised that John rebukes them but rather their reason for coming which was not for the purpose of indicating repentance but simply to be a part of the "in" group as is indicated by the continuance in the following verse POIHSATE OUN KARPON ACION THS METANOIAS.
george
gfsomsel
_________
----- Original Message ----
From: Ryan Gustason <fireandsalt at gmail.com>
To: b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 9:11:31 AM
Subject: [B-Greek] EPI in MATT 3:7
EPI is translated most correctly as upon or to his baptism. They were
observing him baptizing people and when John saw this, he rebuked them. If
they came to be baptized he probably would not have rebuked them but
baptized them to repentance. PROS more than likely would have been used if
it was meant that they came to partake in the baptism itself. Thayer's
Definition of PROS is 1) to the advantage of, 2) at, near, by and 3) to,
towards, with, with regard to. Also the word BAPTISMA describes an event in
a third person context suggesting that they were viewing the event. If it
was their own personal baptism you would expect to find BAPTIZO as seen in
MATT 3:14.
Ryan Gustason
---
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