Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect

Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb provides a detailed grammatical study of the Greek verb in the Gospel of Mark focused on the question of temporal reference. Following the theory of verbal aspect proposed by several recent scholars, this book distinguishes between aspect and Aktionsart, semantics and pragmatics. It argues that temporal reference is not grammaticalized by the tenses of the Greek verb. Instead, koine Greek indicates these relationships through contextual means (temporal deixis). The full temporal range of usage of the verb in Mark’s Gospel is examined, deictic indicators are catalogued, and selected passages are used to illustrate the ways in which time is indicated. This linguistic study provides a basis for more accurate exegesis of the text of Mark and other similar writings.

The Author: Rodney J. Decker is Associate Professor of New Testament at Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He received his Th.D. in New Testament from Central Baptist Seminary, Minneapolis. His articles on linguistic, exegetical, and theological topics have been published in various journals. He has taught Greek and New Testament for the past ten years.