John 20:14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

John 20:14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

After Mary tells the angels that she is weeping because they have taken away her Lord, and she does not know where they have laid Him, what does she do?

“When she had said this, she turned around…” (John 20:14).

•       εἰποῦσα (eipousa) (“had said”) Feminine Nominative Singular Aorist Active Participle of λέγω

•       ἐστράφη  (estraphē) 3S Aorist Passive Indicative of στρέφω

Who does Mary see after she turns around?

“…and saw Jesus standing there…” (John 20:14).

•       θεωρεῖ (theōrei) (“saw”) 3S Present Active Indicative of θεωρἐω

•       ἑστῶτα (hestōta) Masculine Accusative Singular Perfect Active Participle of ἵστημι

What does Mary not know when she turns and sees Jesus?

“…and did not know that it was Jesus” (John 20:14).

•       οὐκ ᾔδει (ouk ēdei) (“did not know”) 3S Pluperfect Active Indicative of οἶδα

•       ἐστιν (estin) (“was”) 3S Present Active Indicative of εἰμί

o  Stanley Porter discusses Greek language shifts in verb tense-forms and prominent features in a discourse:

“1.2. Shift in Verb Tense-Forms

Verb tense-forms are frequently shifted (e.g. aorist to present, and so forth) to indicate the boundaries of a discourse. Particularly useful is the switch to or from the narrative tense-form (aorist) to signal the opening or closing of a discourse unit.

Mk 7.1. The historic present (συνάγονται) introduces a new pericope, the previous one (which goes back at least as far as Mk 6.53) having ended with a series of aorist and imperfect tense-forms. Furthermore, Mark frequently uses καί and a verb, often of speaking or location, occasionally in the historic present, to mark a new pericope.

2. Prominence

Prominent features in a discourse may be selected for grammatical as well as conceptual emphasis. As Longacre humorously remarks, ‘Discourse without prominence would be like pointing to a piece of black cardboard and insisting that it was a picture of black camels crossing black sands at midnight’. Greek contains a number of linguistic means to indicate prominence.

2.1. Verbal Aspect

Verbal aspect does not need to be defined here, since it was treated at length in Chapter 1. The planes of discourse as indicated by use of the verbal aspects are a means by which the points of emphasis or peaks of a discourse may be indicated (see Chapter 1 section 1.1.2). Items which are placed in the background tense (aorist) comprise either the backbone (in narrative) or supporting illustrative material (in exposition) against which more prominent items are set. The foreground (present) and frontground (perfect) tense-forms are used to mark prominent features. The planes of discourse apply both to narrative and to expositional material.

Mk 11.1–11. This new pericope is introduced by several historic presents (vv. 1–2). The backbone of the narrative is carried by aorist tense-forms (vv. 4, 6, 7, 8, 11), occasionally heightened by imperfects (vv. 5, 9). The most significant action is described by the foreground and frontground tense-forms. The foreground (present) tense-form is used of the content of Jesus’ instructions (vv. 2–3), the response to Jesus’ commands (v. 7), and the introduction of the OT quotation (v. 9). The frontground (perfect) tense-form is reserved for two key items. The first instance uses the perfect tense-form of the colt the disciples are instructed to find—it is to be bound (vv. 2, 4)—and of the people who observe the disciples taking it (v. 5). The second frontground focus is reserved for the people’s response to Jesus’ entry, with the perfect participle (vv. 9, 10) highlighting their praise of the coming one. The two words of praise occur in quotations of the OT (Ps. 118.25), linking the OT to messianic fulfilment with the aid of verbal aspect.

Rom. 5.1–5. Paul lays down his assumption regarding justification with the background (aorist participle) tense-form (v. 1a) before giving his exhortation with the foreground (present subjunctive) tense-form (v. 1b). He draws special attention to the status which enables this word of encouragement by means of two frontground (perfect) tense-forms, concerning having access and standing (v. 2). Paul uses a similar pattern in the next two sections: the exhortation to boast using the foreground (present) tense-form (v. 3a) is followed by the ground of boasting, stated by the frontground (perfect participle) tense-form (v. 3b); hope is said not to cause shame, using the foreground (present) tense-form (v. 5a), because of the love of God poured out in Christians’ hearts, using the frontground (perfect) tense-form (v. 5b).”

Stanley E. Porter, Idioms of the Greek New Testament (Sheffield: JSOT, 1999), 301–303.

Father,

After You spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days You have spoken to us in Your Son, Whom You appointed heir of all things, through whom also You made the world. He is the radiance of Your glory and the exact representation of Your nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

All who belong to Yeshua know His voice, and they follow Him. His sheep hear His voice, and He knows us, and we follow Him; and He gives eternal life to us, and we will never perish, and no one will snatch us out of His hand. You, Who have given us to Him, are greater than all; and no one is able to snatch us out of Your hand. You and Yeshua are one.

From age to age, You watch over Your Word to fulfill it. Scripture reveals Your power to speak prophecy into existence and to fulfill it, just as it has been written through Your servants, the prophets. All Scripture is inspired by You and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. For Your Word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

May the ministry of the Holy Spirit be unhindered as He conforms us to Yeshua, for we are Your children, Your heirs, and fellow heirs with Christ. May we fully yield to His power. And may Your glory and the glory of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit be revealed in and through and to Your people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.