Unit 6

Question 1

Consider the following clause from Mark 6:2: Πόθεν τούτῳ ταῦτα. Which sort of focus construction does this clause illustrate?
Narrow focus
Clause
Predicate

Answer 1

Your answer : narrow focus
Correct! The interrogative Πόθεν is a narrow-focus constituent, with τούτῳ (referring to Jesus) and ταῦτα (referring to his insightful teachings) both being established information. The narrow focus constituent is based on the presupposition that Jesus has come to receive his insight from somewhere—the question is from where.

Question 2

Consider Mark 6:13a: καὶ δαιμόνια πολλὰ ἐξέβαλλον. The phrase δαιμόνια πολλὰ functions in which of the following ways?
referential point of departure
situational point of departure
marked focus

Answer 2

Marked focus

Correct! If we were pronouncing this sentence out loud, we would say, “And they were casting out many demons.”

Question 3

Consider Mark 6:8a: καὶ παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς ἵνα μηδὲν αἴρωσιν εἰς ὁδὸν εἰ μὴ ῥάβδον μόνον. The word μηδὲν functions in which of the following ways?
referential point of departure
marked focus
situational point of departure

Answer 3

marked focus

Correct! If we were pronouncing this clause out loud we would say “that they should take nothing for their journey.”

Question 4

Consider Mark 6:8a: καὶ παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς ἵνα μηδὲν αἴρωσιν εἰς ὁδὸν εἰ μὴ ῥάβδον μόνον. What type of focus construction is the clause ἵνα μηδὲν αἴρωσιν εἰς ὁδὸν εἰ μὴ ῥάβδον μόνον?
narrow focus
clause focus
predicate focus

Answer 4

Your answer : predicate focus
Correct! The predicate contains new information but the subject (implied “they”) is established (appearing in αὐτοῖς in the preceding main clause).

Question 5

Consider Mark 6:12: Καὶ ἐξελθόντες ἐκήρυξαν ἵνα μετανοῶσιν. True or False? The word ἐξελθόντες is background information.

Answer 5

Your answer : True

Correct! The word ἐξελθόντες a prenuclear participle and thus background information.

Question 6

Consider Mark 6:10b: Ὅπου ἐὰν εἰσέλθητε εἰς οἰκίαν, ἐκεῖ μένετε ἕως ἂν ἐξέλθητε ἐκεῖθεν. Which is the function of Ὅπου ἐὰν εἰσέλθητε εἰς οἰκίαν?
marked focus
situational point of departure
referential point of departure

Answer 6

Your answer : situational point of departure