John 19:30
Footnote:
| 121a | He Took Hold Strong's #G2983, ἔλαβεν. An ironic word to use here, to be sure. The scholars defined it: I. to take, i. e.: 1. to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it: absolutely, where the context shows what is taken, Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; (τόν) ἄρτον, Matthew 26:26; Acts 27:35; τό βιβλίον, Revelation 5:7-9 (see Buttmann, and Winer's Grammar, as above) If his hands are nailed to a cross beam, there is a profound inconsistency with this word. Or maybe the author of the story smoking something? Strong's #G2827. The verb "κλίνω" in Ancient Greek can also be used to mean "to recline," particularly in the sense of lying down or positioning oneself in a resting or reclining posture. This usage stems from the idea of "bending" or "inclining" the body, typically in a way that is horizontal or at an angle, which aligns with how we think of reclining. There is already NT precedent/context for it: "but the Son of the Man is not holding in the place where he may recline the Head." (Matthew 8:20 RBT) In the context of reclining, "κλίνω" implies that a person is bending their body in such a way that they are no longer sitting upright but rather lying back or at an inclined angle. This could apply to various situations, such as reclining on a couch, in a bed, or during a meal (for example, when people reclined at tables in ancient Greece during banquets). For example, the verb could be used in the following way:
In Ancient Greek culture, especially during symposia (drinking parties), reclining was a common practice. Participants would lie back on couches in a reclining position while eating and drinking, which is another reason why "κλίνω" came to be associated with reclining. So, when "κλίνω" is used to mean "recline," it carries the idea of a body being bent or inclined into a position of rest, often lying down or leaning back at an angle. |