[B-Greek] John 2:1 Who was invited?
Iver Larsen
iver_larsen at sil.org
Mon May 7 06:10:14 EDT 2007
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Cain" <mark at markcain.com>
> Since it appears to me that Mary, the mother of Jesus, assumes
> responsibilities beyond the role of a typical guest such as 1) concern for
> the depleted wine supply and 2) access to give directions to the servants at
> the feast, could it be that she is there in a supportive role; but Jesus is
> there as a guest? Could the words EKLHQH DE indicate this contrast of roles
> (supportive vs guest)? or are you saying that EKLHQH DE KAI can only be
> translated as additive?
>
> Mark Cain
> Sarasota, FL USA
Hi, Mark,
I would say it could. Whereas the KAI points forward and qualifies hO IHSOUS KAI hOI MAQHTAI AUTOU
with the sense of "even, also", the DE connects backwards to the previous sentence. The meaning of
DE is hard to pin down. It can introduce a new paragraph/development, but I think that is unlikely
here, since it is part of the setting for the story. It can also introduce a parenthetical
(background) comment, but that seems unlikely at the end of the setting. Since Mary was not
introduced as a guest, but as being present, and because of the factors you mention, it is likely
that she had a role to play in organising the wedding, and she was probably behind the invitation of
Jesus and his disciples who might not otherwise have been invited.
So, I think the DE KAI here may best be understood as "but even". John has 8 other DE KAI's of which
7 have a noun phrase following the KAI. It seems to me that in all 7 cases the sense "but even"
would fit. (3:23, 18:2,5,18, 19:19,39, 21:25). The KAI appears to put a spotlight on the following
noun phrase, not just a simple addition. The DE here indicates somewhat of a surprise or at least
something unexpected.
Iver Larsen
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