“Follow” as a continuous action in the present, this is the Greek verb present imperative. We don’t have this in English as our verbs are more time centered than action.
The first time "follow" appears in the Gospel of John is in Chapter 1, and the last time is in Chapter 21. A lot happens in between.
Starting with chapter 1 and the present imperative verb form.
We have follow in the present imperative.
1:43th epaurion hqelhsen exelqein eiV thn galilaian kai euriskei filippon kai legei autw [o ihsouV] akolouqeimoi
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."
46kai eipen autw naqanahl ek nazaret dunatai ti agaqon einai legei autw filippoV ercou kai ide
46 Nathana-el said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him,"Come and see."
Come is in the present imperative and see is in the aorist imperative. Interesting contrast between present imperative and aorist imperative. Both focus on the present but one, Come, is a continuous present, and see, centers on the specific present along the way. Aha’s come out of coming as a continuous, where you stay alert continuously for insights in the present moment, like this insight in the now. Aha!
"Come and see" also appears in the story of the raising of Lazarus in the same two verb forms. Chapter 11.
At the end of chapter 12 we have follow and walk and believe in the present imperative, again use the word continuous with each.
"Come and see" also appears in the story of the raising of Lazarus in the same two verb forms. Chapter 11.
At the end of chapter 12 we have follow and walk and believe in the present imperative, again use the word continuous with each.
Jumping a lot of chapters and more than one present imperative we find a significant number in Chapter 21. They are marked red here. Hopefully when I transfer this article to the blog. Yes they are in the red.
John 21: 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Remember Feed, Tend, Feed, Follow are continuous in the present.
I am finding the mental discipline of present imperative, continuous in the present, generates a new kind of consciousness.
How does the present imperative verbs impact you?
And a concluding question. Who is the person in the Gospels who uses the present imperative the most and what is the reason for that?
I will be posting more examples of the present imperative verbs from the Gospels. How about the Gospel of Luke and prayer.
I will be posting more examples of the present imperative verbs from the Gospels. How about the Gospel of Luke and prayer.
Shalom,
Marlin
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