Matthew 2:8

The verb πορεύομαι (root: πορ-) is a deponent verb. It is formally middle/passive and not active. Often used in an active sense, "to go" or "to proceed." However, in certain contexts—especially in poetic or dramatic texts—it can bear a genuinely passive sense, signifying "to be driven," "to be carried," or "to be led along." For example, μέγας βοῦς ὑπὸ σμικρᾶς μάστιγος εἰς ὁδὸν πορεύεται (“a great ox is driven along the road by a small whip,” Soph. Aj. 1254) illustrates a passive construction, where an external agent compels the subject's movement. Similarly, πρὸς βίαν πορεύεται ("he is driven by force," Soph. OC 845) demonstrates this nuance. In prose—particularly in biblical Greek—the verb is often deponent, meaning "to go" or "to journey," though the etymological sense of being led or carried remains linguistically valid (cf. Hdt. 8.107; Thuc. 1.26). See LSJ, s.v. πορεύομαι; Chantraine, Dictionnaire Étymologique de la Langue Grecque s.v. πορ-.

περὶ τοῦ is a common expression found in the NT.

In the literal sense, περὶ τοῦ can be understood as "around [to/of]." Here’s how:

• περὶ literally means "around" (in a spatial sense, like encircling something) but often extends metaphorically to mean "about" or "concerning" in abstract contexts.
• τοῦ (genitive case) signifies possession or relation, so it can be interpreted as "of the" or "to the."

Classical Greek will typically use the phrase to express something like "concerning the" or "about the" but this does not void the literal meaning.