[B-Greek] Matthew 28: 19,20

Thomas Hagen thomas.hagen at libero.it
Thu Dec 3 16:38:33 EST 2009


Dear B-Greek friends –

 

I have two questions concerning Matthew 28:19, 20.

 

19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

 

19πορευθέντες οὖν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου πνευματος, 20διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μετ' ὑμῶν εἰμὶ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος.

 

19POREUQENTES OUN MAQHTEUSATE PANTA TA EQNH, BAPTIZONTES AUTOUS EIS TO ONOMA TOU PATROS KAI TOU hUIOU KAI TOU hAGIOU PNEUMATOS, 

20 DIDASKONTES AUTOUS THREIN PANTA hOSA ENETEILAMHN UMIN· KAI IDOU EGW MET' UMWN EIMI PASAS TAS hHMERAS hEWS THS SUNTELEIAS TOU AIWNOS.

 

 

The first question concerns the participles βαπτίζοντες / BAPTIZONTES and διδάσκοντες / DIDASKONTES. I would like to ask if these participles are causal or descriptive; that is, do they explain how disciples are to be made (by baptizing… and by teaching…) or do they describe what accompanies the making of disciples (baptism and teaching). There may not be a great difference between the two, but if Greek makes such a difference I would like to know.

 

The second question concerns the meaning of τηρεῖν / THREIN in verse 20. I would like to know if in this context it means keep in the sense of “putting into practice” or in the sense of “preserving, conserving, guarding carefully so as not to lose”. 

 

I hope I have succeeded in clearly explaining my questions. Thank you for any enlightenment you can give me.

 

Thomas Hagen

Livorno, Italy 



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