This lesson focuses on the Greek pronoun αὐτός (autos), which means "he" when used independently. This word is fundamental to understanding Greek texts as it appears frequently throughout the New Testament and other Hellenistic literature. For a complete index of lessons and additional resources, visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
Definition: αὐτός (autos) is a third-person pronoun that can mean "he," "she," "it," or "self" depending on its usage and context. In this lesson, we focus on its masculine singular nominative form meaning "he."
FAQ Schema Question: What does αὐτός mean in Koine Greek? Answer: αὐτός (autos) in its masculine singular nominative form means "he" in English. It is the standard third-person masculine pronoun used to refer to a male person or masculine noun previously mentioned in the text.
How this word will be used: In our lesson examples, αὐτός will appear in various positions within sentences - sometimes at the beginning for emphasis, sometimes in the middle as the subject of verbs, and occasionally at the end. You'll see it with different verbs and in various contexts to help you recognize it in authentic Greek texts.
Educational Schema Course: Koine Greek Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Third-person pronouns Focus Word: αὐτός (he) Learning Objective: Students will be able to recognize and understand the use of αὐτός as "he" in Koine Greek sentences
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αὐτός is the standard word for "he" in Koine Greek -
Word order in Greek is more flexible than English -
The pronoun can be emphatic or simply referential -
Understanding αὐτός is essential for reading any Greek text
16.1a αὐτὸς he λέγει says τῷ to-the ὄχλῳ crowd 16.1b αὐτὸς (au-tos) he λέγει (le-gei) says τῷ (tō) to-the ὄχλῳ (okh-lō) crowd
16.2a ἦλθεν came αὐτὸς he πρὸς toward τὸν the πατέρα father 16.2b ἦλθεν (ēl-then) came αὐτὸς (au-tos) he πρὸς (pros) toward τὸν (ton) the πατέρα (pa-te-ra) father
16.3a ὁ the μαθητὴς disciple εἶδεν saw αὐτὸν him καὶ and αὐτὸς he ἐχάρη rejoiced 16.3b ὁ (ho) the μαθητὴς (ma-thē-tēs) disciple εἶδεν (ei-den) saw αὐτὸν (au-ton) him καὶ (kai) and αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἐχάρη (e-kha-rē) rejoiced
16.4a αὐτὸς he μόνος alone ἐστὶν is ἐν in τῇ the οἰκίᾳ house 16.4b αὐτὸς (au-tos) he μόνος (mo-nos) alone ἐστὶν (es-tin) is ἐν (en) in τῇ (tē) the οἰκίᾳ (oi-ki-a) house
16.5a ἤκουσεν heard ὁ the βασιλεὺς king καὶ and αὐτὸς he ἐθαύμασεν marveled 16.5b ἤκουσεν (ē-kou-sen) heard ὁ (ho) the βασιλεὺς (ba-si-leus) king καὶ (kai) and αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἐθαύμασεν (e-thau-ma-sen) marveled
16.6a τότε then αὐτὸς he ἀπεκρίθη answered αὐτοῖς to-them 16.6b τότε (to-te) then αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἀπεκρίθη (a-pe-kri-thē) answered αὐτοῖς (au-tois) to-them
16.7a ἐδίδασκεν was-teaching αὐτὸς he ἐν in τῇ the συναγωγῇ synagogue 16.7b ἐδίδασκεν (e-di-das-ken) was-teaching αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἐν (en) in τῇ (tē) the συναγωγῇ (sy-na-gō-gē) synagogue
16.8a οὐκ not γινώσκει knows αὐτὸς he τὴν the ὁδόν way 16.8b οὐκ (ouk) not γινώσκει (gi-nōs-kei) knows αὐτὸς (au-tos) he τὴν (tēn) the ὁδόν (ho-don) way
16.9a καὶ and αὐτὸς he ἐβάπτιζεν was-baptizing πολλούς many 16.9b καὶ (kai) and αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἐβάπτιζεν (e-bap-ti-zen) was-baptizing πολλούς (pol-lous) many
16.10a εἶπεν said αὐτοῖς to-them ὅτι that αὐτὸς he ἔρχεται comes 16.10b εἶπεν (ei-pen) said αὐτοῖς (au-tois) to-them ὅτι (ho-ti) that αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἔρχεται (er-khe-tai) comes
16.11a αὐτὸς he δὲ but ἔμεινεν remained ἐκεῖ there 16.11b αὐτὸς (au-tos) he δὲ (de) but ἔμεινεν (e-mei-nen) remained ἐκεῖ (e-kei) there
16.12a ἔγραψεν wrote τὴν the ἐπιστολὴν letter αὐτὸς he ἰδίᾳ with-own χειρί hand 16.12b ἔγραψεν (e-gra-psen) wrote τὴν (tēn) the ἐπιστολὴν (e-pi-sto-lēn) letter αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἰδίᾳ (i-di-a) with-own χειρί (khei-ri) hand
16.13a πιστεύει believes αὐτὸς he εἰς into τὸν the θεόν God 16.13b πιστεύει (pi-steu-ei) believes αὐτὸς (au-tos) he εἰς (eis) into τὸν (ton) the θεόν (the-on) God
16.14a αὐτὸς he γὰρ for οἶδεν knows πάντα all 16.14b αὐτὸς (au-tos) he γὰρ (gar) for οἶδεν (oi-den) knows πάντα (pan-ta) all
16.15a ἐκήρυξεν proclaimed τὸ the εὐαγγέλιον gospel αὐτὸς he πᾶσιν to-all 16.15b ἐκήρυξεν (e-kē-ry-xen) proclaimed τὸ (to) the εὐαγγέλιον (eu-an-ge-li-on) gospel αὐτὸς (au-tos) he πᾶσιν (pa-sin) to-all
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16.1 αὐτὸς λέγει τῷ ὄχλῳ. He speaks to the crowd.
16.2 ἦλθεν αὐτὸς πρὸς τὸν πατέρα. He came to the father.
16.3 ὁ μαθητὴς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ αὐτὸς ἐχάρη. The disciple saw him and he rejoiced.
16.4 αὐτὸς μόνος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ. He is alone in the house.
16.5 ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ αὐτὸς ἐθαύμασεν. The king heard and he marveled.
16.6 τότε αὐτὸς ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς. Then he answered them.
16.7 ἐδίδασκεν αὐτὸς ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ. He was teaching in the synagogue.
16.8 οὐκ γινώσκει αὐτὸς τὴν ὁδόν. He does not know the way.
16.9 καὶ αὐτὸς ἐβάπτιζεν πολλούς. And he was baptizing many.
16.10 εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι αὐτὸς ἔρχεται. He told them that he is coming.
16.11 αὐτὸς δὲ ἔμεινεν ἐκεῖ. But he remained there.
16.12 ἔγραψεν τὴν ἐπιστολὴν αὐτὸς ἰδίᾳ χειρί. He wrote the letter with his own hand.
16.13 πιστεύει αὐτὸς εἰς τὸν θεόν. He believes in God.
16.14 αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδεν πάντα. For he knows all things.
16.15 ἐκήρυξεν τὸ εὐαγγέλιον αὐτὸς πᾶσιν. He proclaimed the gospel to all.
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16.1 αὐτὸς λέγει τῷ ὄχλῳ.
16.2 ἦλθεν αὐτὸς πρὸς τὸν πατέρα.
16.3 ὁ μαθητὴς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ αὐτὸς ἐχάρη.
16.4 αὐτὸς μόνος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ.
16.5 ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ αὐτὸς ἐθαύμασεν.
16.6 τότε αὐτὸς ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς.
16.7 ἐδίδασκεν αὐτὸς ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ.
16.8 οὐκ γινώσκει αὐτὸς τὴν ὁδόν.
16.9 καὶ αὐτὸς ἐβάπτιζεν πολλούς.
16.10 εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι αὐτὸς ἔρχεται.
16.11 αὐτὸς δὲ ἔμεινεν ἐκεῖ.
16.12 ἔγραψεν τὴν ἐπιστολὴν αὐτὸς ἰδίᾳ χειρί.
16.13 πιστεύει αὐτὸς εἰς τὸν θεόν.
16.14 αὐτὸς γὰρ οἶδεν πάντα.
16.15 ἐκήρυξεν τὸ εὐαγγέλιον αὐτὸς πᾶσιν.
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The pronoun αὐτός functions as the third-person pronoun "he" in Koine Greek. Here are the essential grammar rules:
1. Basic Usage When αὐτός stands alone (not modifying a noun), it means "he/she/it" depending on its gender, number, and case. In the masculine nominative singular, it means "he."
2. Word Order Flexibility Unlike English, where "he" typically comes before the verb, αὐτός can appear: -
At the beginning for emphasis: αὐτὸς λέγει (HE speaks) -
After the verb for normal narrative: λέγει αὐτός (he speaks) -
Between other words: ὁ δὲ αὐτὸς εἶπεν (but he said)
3. Forms of αὐτός (masculine) Nominative: αὐτός (he) Genitive: αὐτοῦ (of him, his) Dative: αὐτῷ (to him) Accusative: αὐτόν (him)
4. Emphatic vs. Unemphatic Use When αὐτός appears at the beginning of a clause, it often carries emphasis. Compare: -
αὐτὸς λέγει = HE speaks (emphatic) -
λέγει = he speaks (unemphatic, pronoun understood from verb)
1. Confusing αὐτός with the article Beginners often confuse αὐτός with ὁ (the). Remember: ὁ = the, αὐτός = he
2. Missing the emphatic force English speakers may not recognize when αὐτός is emphatic. If it appears when not strictly necessary (since Greek verbs already indicate person), it's usually emphatic.
3. Word order confusion Don't expect αὐτός always to come before the verb as "he" does in English. Greek word order is much more flexible.
4. Forgetting agreement αὐτός must agree with what it refers to in gender and number. If referring to a feminine noun, use αὐτή (she).
Step 1: Look for αὐτ- stem Step 2: Check the ending (-ός = masculine nominative singular) Step 3: Determine if it's standing alone (= he) or with a noun (= same/self) Step 4: Consider position for emphasis Step 5: Translate according to context
English "he": -
Fixed position (usually before verb) -
No case changes -
Cannot be omitted
Greek αὐτός: -
Flexible position -
Changes form by case -
Can be omitted (verb implies subject) -
Can be emphatic
αὐτός as "he" (masculine forms): Singular: -
Nominative: αὐτός (he) -
Genitive: αὐτοῦ (of him/his) -
Dative: αὐτῷ (to/for him) -
Accusative: αὐτόν (him)
Plural: -
Nominative: αὐτοί (they - masculine) -
Genitive: αὐτῶν (of them/their) -
Dative: αὐτοῖς (to/for them) -
Accusative: αὐτούς (them)
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For English speakers learning Koine Greek, understanding the cultural significance of pronouns like αὐτός provides crucial context. In the Hellenistic world (approximately 323 BCE to 31 BCE and beyond), Greek had become the lingua franca of the eastern Mediterranean, much like English functions globally today.
Social Hierarchy and Pronoun Use The use or omission of αὐτός often reflected social relationships. When speaking about someone of high status, explicitly using αὐτός could show respect or emphasis. Conversely, omitting it in casual conversation was normal, as the verb ending already indicated the person.
Literary and Religious Texts In the New Testament and other religious texts, αὐτός frequently appears to emphasize the actions of significant figures. When the Gospel writers use αὐτός for Jesus, it often highlights his authority or distinguishes his actions from others.
Philosophical Usage Greek philosophers used αὐτός with precision. The famous Delphic maxim "γνῶθι σεαυτόν" (know thyself) uses a related reflexive form, showing how pronouns were central to Greek philosophical thought about identity and self-knowledge.
Comparison with English Pronouns Modern English speakers might find the flexibility of Greek pronouns strange. Where we must always express "he" in sentences like "He speaks," Greek allows both "αὐτὸς λέγει" and simply "λέγει." This flexibility allowed Greek writers to create emphasis and rhythm impossible in English.
Archaeological Evidence Inscriptions found throughout the Hellenistic world show how αὐτός was used in everyday contexts - from grave markers ("he lived 50 years") to official decrees ("he, the king, declares"). These real-world uses help us understand the pronoun beyond literary texts.
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οὗτος this-one ἦλθεν came εἰς into μαρτυρίαν witness ἵνα in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ he-might-witness περὶ about τοῦ the φωτός light ἵνα in-order-that πάντες all πιστεύσωσιν might-believe δι' through αὐτοῦ him οὐκ not ἦν was ἐκεῖνος that-one τὸ the φῶς light ἀλλ' but ἵνα in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ he-might-witness περὶ about τοῦ the φωτός light
οὗτος (hou-tos) this-one ἦλθεν (ēl-then) came εἰς (eis) into μαρτυρίαν (mar-ty-ri-an) witness ἵνα (hi-na) in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ (mar-ty-rē-sē) he-might-witness περὶ (pe-ri) about τοῦ (tou) the φωτός (phō-tos) light ἵνα (hi-na) in-order-that πάντες (pan-tes) all πιστεύσωσιν (pi-steu-sō-sin) might-believe δι' (di) through αὐτοῦ (au-tou) him οὐκ (ouk) not ἦν (ēn) was ἐκεῖνος (e-kei-nos) that-one τὸ (to) the φῶς (phōs) light ἀλλ' (all) but ἵνα (hi-na) in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ (mar-ty-rē-sē) he-might-witness περὶ (pe-ri) about τοῦ (tou) the φωτός (phō-tos) light
οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν, ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι' αὐτοῦ. οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς, ἀλλ' ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός.
This one came for a witness, that he might witness concerning the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might witness concerning the light.
οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν, ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι' αὐτοῦ. οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς, ἀλλ' ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός.
This passage from John's Gospel discussing John the Baptist demonstrates several uses of third-person reference. While αὐτός doesn't appear in the nominative "he" form here, we see αὐτοῦ (genitive - "him/his") and the demonstratives οὗτος and ἐκεῖνος which also mean "he" in context.
Key Observations for English Speakers: -
Pronoun Variety: Greek uses different pronouns for emphasis. Here οὗτος (this one) and ἐκεῖνος (that one) both refer to John the Baptist but with different nuances. -
Genitive Form: δι' αὐτοῦ (through him) shows αὐτός in the genitive case, demonstrating how the pronoun changes form based on its grammatical function. -
Subject in Verb: In "μαρτυρήσῃ" (he might witness), the subject "he" is contained in the verb ending, showing why Greek often omits the pronoun. -
Word Order: The Greek places "οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς" (not was he the light) with the verb before the pronoun, unlike English word order. -
Purpose Clauses: The repeated ἵνα (in order that) introduces purpose clauses, a common Greek construction unfamiliar to English speakers.
This passage exemplifies how Koine Greek handles third-person reference with greater variety and flexibility than English, making it essential for students to understand not just αὐτός but the entire system of Greek pronouns.
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16.16a ἄνθρωπός person τις certain εἶχεν had δύο two υἱούς sons 16.16b ἄνθρωπός (an-thrō-pos) person τις (tis) certain εἶχεν (ei-khen) had δύο (dy-o) two υἱούς (hui-ous) sons
16.17a καὶ and εἶπεν said ὁ the νεώτερος younger αὐτῶν of-them τῷ to-the πατρί father 16.17b καὶ (kai) and εἶπεν (ei-pen) said ὁ (ho) the νεώτερος (ne-ō-te-ros) younger αὐτῶν (au-tōn) of-them τῷ (tō) to-the πατρί (pa-tri) father
16.18a δός give μοι to-me τὸ the μέρος portion τῆς of-the οὐσίας property 16.18b δός (dos) give μοι (moi) to-me τὸ (to) the μέρος (me-ros) portion τῆς (tēs) of-the οὐσίας (ou-si-as) property
16.19a αὐτὸς he δὲ but διεῖλεν divided αὐτοῖς to-them τὸν the βίον livelihood 16.19b αὐτὸς (au-tos) he δὲ (de) but διεῖλεν (di-ei-len) divided αὐτοῖς (au-tois) to-them τὸν (ton) the βίον (bi-on) livelihood
16.20a μετὰ after ἡμέρας days ὁ the νεώτερος younger υἱὸς son ἀπεδήμησεν journeyed 16.20b μετὰ (me-ta) after ἡμέρας (hē-me-ras) days ὁ (ho) the νεώτερος (ne-ō-te-ros) younger υἱὸς (hui-os) son ἀπεδήμησεν (a-pe-dē-mē-sen) journeyed
16.21a καὶ and ἐκεῖ there αὐτὸς he διεσκόρπισεν scattered τὴν the οὐσίαν property 16.21b καὶ (kai) and ἐκεῖ (e-kei) there αὐτὸς (au-tos) he διεσκόρπισεν (di-e-skor-pi-sen) scattered τὴν (tēn) the οὐσίαν (ou-si-an) property
16.22a δαπανήσαντος having-spent δὲ and αὐτοῦ of-him πάντα all ἐγένετο became λιμὸς famine 16.22b δαπανήσαντος (da-pa-nē-san-tos) having-spent δὲ (de) and αὐτοῦ (au-tou) of-him πάντα (pan-ta) all ἐγένετο (e-ge-ne-to) became λιμὸς (li-mos) famine
16.23a καὶ and αὐτὸς he ἤρξατο began ὑστερεῖσθαι to-be-in-need 16.23b καὶ (kai) and αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἤρξατο (ēr-xa-to) began ὑστερεῖσθαι (hy-ste-rei-sthai) to-be-in-need
16.24a πορευθεὶς having-gone αὐτὸς he ἐκολλήθη joined ἑνὶ to-one τῶν of-the πολιτῶν citizens 16.24b πορευθεὶς (po-reu-theis) having-gone αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἐκολλήθη (e-kol-lē-thē) joined ἑνὶ (he-ni) to-one τῶν (tōn) of-the πολιτῶν (po-li-tōn) citizens
16.25a ἔπεμψεν sent αὐτὸν him εἰς into τοὺς the ἀγροὺς fields αὐτοῦ of-him 16.25b ἔπεμψεν (e-pem-psen) sent αὐτὸν (au-ton) him εἰς (eis) into τοὺς (tous) the ἀγροὺς (a-grous) fields αὐτοῦ (au-tou) of-him
16.26a καὶ and αὐτὸς he ἐπεθύμει was-desiring γεμίσαι to-fill τὴν the κοιλίαν belly 16.26b καὶ (kai) and αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἐπεθύμει (e-pe-thy-mei) was-desiring γεμίσαι (ge-mi-sai) to-fill τὴν (tēn) the κοιλίαν (koi-li-an) belly
16.27a εἰς into ἑαυτὸν himself δὲ but ἐλθὼν having-come αὐτὸς he εἶπεν said 16.27b εἰς (eis) into ἑαυτὸν (he-au-ton) himself δὲ (de) but ἐλθὼν (el-thōn) having-come αὐτὸς (au-tos) he εἶπεν (ei-pen) said
16.28a ἀναστὰς having-risen πορεύσομαι I-will-go πρὸς to τὸν the πατέρα father μου of-me 16.28b ἀναστὰς (a-na-stas) having-risen πορεύσομαι (po-reu-so-mai) I-will-go πρὸς (pros) to τὸν (ton) the πατέρα (pa-te-ra) father μου (mou) of-me
16.29a ὁ the δὲ but πατὴρ father εἶδεν saw αὐτὸν him μακρόθεν from-afar 16.29b ὁ (ho) the δὲ (de) but πατὴρ (pa-tēr) father εἶδεν (ei-den) saw αὐτὸν (au-ton) him μακρόθεν (ma-kro-then) from-afar
16.30a καὶ and αὐτὸς he ἔδραμεν ran καὶ and ἐπέπεσεν fell ἐπὶ upon τὸν the τράχηλον neck αὐτοῦ of-him 16.30b καὶ (kai) and αὐτὸς (au-tos) he ἔδραμεν (e-dra-men) ran καὶ (kai) and ἐπέπεσεν (e-pe-pe-sen) fell ἐπὶ (e-pi) upon τὸν (ton) the τράχηλον (tra-khē-lon) neck αὐτοῦ (au-tou) of-him
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16.16 ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχεν δύο υἱούς. A certain man had two sons.
16.17 καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί. And the younger of them said to the father.
16.18 δός μοι τὸ μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. Give me the portion of the property.
16.19 αὐτὸς δὲ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. And he divided the livelihood to them.
16.20 μετὰ ἡμέρας ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν. After some days the younger son journeyed abroad.
16.21 καὶ ἐκεῖ αὐτὸς διεσκόρπισεν τὴν οὐσίαν. And there he scattered the property.
16.22 δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμός. And when he had spent everything, a famine arose.
16.23 καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. And he began to be in need.
16.24 πορευθεὶς αὐτὸς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν. Having gone, he joined himself to one of the citizens.
16.25 ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ. He sent him into his fields.
16.26 καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν. And he was desiring to fill his belly.
16.27 εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν αὐτὸς εἶπεν. But having come to himself, he said.
16.28 ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου. Having risen, I will go to my father.
16.29 ὁ δὲ πατὴρ εἶδεν αὐτὸν μακρόθεν. But the father saw him from afar.
16.30 καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδραμεν καὶ ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ. And he ran and fell upon his neck.
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16.16 ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχεν δύο υἱούς.
16.17 καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί.
16.18 δός μοι τὸ μέρος τῆς οὐσίας.
16.19 αὐτὸς δὲ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον.
16.20 μετὰ ἡμέρας ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν.
16.21 καὶ ἐκεῖ αὐτὸς διεσκόρπισεν τὴν οὐσίαν.
16.22 δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμός.
16.23 καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι.
16.24 πορευθεὶς αὐτὸς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν.
16.25 ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ.
16.26 καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν.
16.27 εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν αὐτὸς εἶπεν.
16.28 ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου.
16.29 ὁ δὲ πατὴρ εἶδεν αὐτὸν μακρόθεν.
16.30 καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδραμεν καὶ ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ.
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1. Narrative Emphasis In parables, αὐτός often marks significant character actions. Notice how it appears at key moments: -
16.19: αὐτὸς δὲ διεῖλεν (HE divided) - emphasizing the father's action -
16.21: αὐτὸς διεσκόρπισεν (HE scattered) - highlighting the son's wastefulness -
16.30: αὐτὸς ἔδραμεν (HE ran) - stressing the father's eager response
2. Multiple Forms in Context This parable demonstrates various forms of αὐτός: -
Nominative: αὐτός (he) - as subject -
Genitive: αὐτοῦ (of him/his) - showing possession -
Accusative: αὐτόν (him) - as direct object
3. Reflexive Usage Note εἰς ἑαυτὸν (to himself) in 16.27, showing the reflexive form, different from simple αὐτός.
4. Participle + αὐτός Construction Greek often uses participles with αὐτός: -
πορευθεὶς αὐτός (having gone, he...) -
This is foreign to English and requires practice
5. Narrative Flow Markers δέ (but/and) often accompanies αὐτός to move the story forward: -
αὐτὸς δέ (and he/but he)
6. Character Switching The parable uses αὐτός to switch between characters clearly: -
First referring to the son -
Then to the father -
Context makes the reference clear
Common Patterns in Parables: -
Opening: ἄνθρωπός τις (a certain person) introduces characters -
Actions: αὐτός + aorist verb for completed actions -
Emotions: αὐτός + imperfect for ongoing states -
Dialogue: εἶπεν/λέγει with or without αὐτός
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering self-study methods for ancient languages. These lessons follow the institute's proven approach of comprehensive interlinear texts, detailed grammatical explanations, and authentic literary excerpts.
Each lesson in this Koine Greek series is structured to support autodidactic learning through:
Systematic Progression: Starting with basic pronouns like αὐτός and building to complex constructions, allowing students to develop reading skills naturally.
Multiple Learning Modes: Each concept is presented through: -
Detailed interlinear glossing for vocabulary building -
Complete sentences for syntax comprehension -
Grammar explanations designed for English speakers -
Cultural context to enhance understanding -
Authentic texts to develop real reading ability
Construed Text Method: Part A uses carefully construed texts that maintain Greek vocabulary while presenting it in an order more accessible to English speakers. This method, refined over years at the Latinum Institute, helps students transition from word-by-word translation to fluid reading.
Complete Lessons: Unlike many online resources, each lesson is complete and immediately usable for self-study. No truncation means no hunting for missing information.
Authentic Materials: All examples derive from the Koine Greek corpus, ensuring students learn real Greek, not simplified classroom constructions.
Progressive Difficulty: Starting with simple sentences and building to complex literary texts within each lesson allows students of different levels to find appropriate challenges.
Cultural Integration: Language never exists in isolation. These lessons integrate historical, archaeological, and cultural information to create deeper understanding.
The Latinum Institute's approach has helped thousands of students worldwide achieve reading proficiency in ancient languages. See reviews and testimonials at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
For the complete course index and additional resources, visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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