[b-greek] Re: Phil 1.7

From: Mike Sangrey (msangrey@BlueFeltHat.org)
Date: Thu Feb 08 2001 - 07:59:16 EST


"Iver Larsen" <alice-iver_larsen@wycliffe.org> said:
> While we are looking at this construction, what do people think about
> John 12:18 hYPHNTNSEN AUTWi hO OCLOS hOTI HKOUSAN TOUTO AUTON
> PEPOIHKENAI TO SHMEION
> the crowd went to meet him because they heard he had performed this
> sign

> In the infinitive with double accusative AUTON is subject and TOUTO TO
> SEMEION is object. This is clear for semantic rather than grammatical
> reasons. Why is TOUTO brought so far forward? Does the object or part
> of it generally come first? Or is it just a matter of putting high
> emphasis on *this* sign?

Here's some observations for you to think about, if you haven't
already. :-)

SHMEION marks 6 specific signs in John; this, the raising of Lazurus,
is the 6th. The apparent structure is not as obvious as, say, an
outline; however, it does appear to be built into the narrative.

John 2:11 hOUTOS is forward -- the wine at the wedding
John 4:54 hOUTOS is forward -- healing of a royal official's son
John 6:2 -- healing of the invalid at the Bethesda pool
John 6:14 -- feeding of the 5000
John 9:16 TOIOUTOS is used -- healing of the man born blind
John 12:18 hOUTOS is forward -- raising of Lazurus

This 6th sign is the last one specifically referenced.

However, there is a 7th sign, too; but it is not mentioned as such.
It is the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah. One of the
beautiful features of language is that something which is very
strongly expected but left out is immediately catapulted to
prominence.

If this structure is right, then it would seem natural for John to
highlight this "last" sign. It then performs some of the work to
transition into the next topic. Which is the 7th, though unmentioned
as such, sign.

Lastly, note John 20:30 mentions SHMEION, too. Why POLLA MEN OUN KAI
ALLA SHMEIA? Seems like a long winded way of saying it. Perhaps John
is referring to the signs OTHER than this last, the 7th sign. Maybe
he is saying something along the lines of: "if you can believe it,
there were EVEN OTHER signs than this incredible sign." I'm not
suggesting this as a translation, just merely trying to bring out what
the emphasis is on.

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