Use of subjunctive -- What happened to the "may" in Mt 6:16
In Matthew 6:16, we have Ὅταν δὲ νηστεύητε:now whenever you fast. The question I have is given the verb is present, active, subjunctive, second person, plural: Wouldn't it be possible to translate this as "whenever you [may=subjunctive] fast."
I noticed in a few syntax references, the this verb is categorized as functioning as a finite verb, which I guess explains the translation (or omission) of the "may?"
Is the verb in the subjunctive because it follows hotan? I am missing on the subjunctive?
Comments
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Richard Landon said:
In Matthew 6:16, we have Ὅταν δὲ νηστεύητε:now whenever you fast. The question I have is given the verb is present, active, subjunctive, second person, plural: Wouldn't it be possible to translate this as "whenever you [may=subjunctive] fast."
"whenever you fast" and "whenever you may fast" are really the same thing but the latter is sort of an awkward way to say it.
Richard Landon said:Is the verb in the subjunctive because it follows hotan? I am missing on the subjunctive?
yes, ὅταν always takes the subjunctive
Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God
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Perhaps I should add that the subjunctive expresses a condition in which there is an element of doubt. It is not a statement of fact but rather of possibility.
Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God
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