Syntaktische Aramaismen im Markusevangelium: Praesens historicum und καὶ εὐθύς

Abstract

The paper describes two constructions which are widespread in the Greek text of the gospel of Mark: the historic present (149 occurrences) and the expression καὶ eὐθύς, “and suddenly” (25 occurrences). Both constructions are found in classical Greek as well, hence an influence of a foreign language cannot a priori be assumed. Both constructions, however, are used slightly differently in Mark than their use in classical and other biblical Greek texts. Their frequency and these differences on the one hand, and the widespread presence of semitisms - probably aramaisms - in Mark on the other hand, have let to the assumption of an Aramaic influence on these Greek constructions. The examination of different Aramaic texts - especially Biblical Aramaic (Daniel and Ezra) and the Peshitta of Mark’s gospel - enabled two Aramaic constructions to be isolated as possible parallels: a participle clause whose head is the participle in narrative contexts, and the Aramaic adverb (b)edayn, “then”.