Chapter 2:17 AUTOUS - Them

2.17 Autous Acc Pl Masc

αὐτοὺςNPAM3Pαὐτός

Nature of autous:

See Autous above.

Meaning:

Them

Syntax Considerations:

In its intensive use, it (often) goes w/ the unexpressed subject of a verb.[1]

Antecedent:

The heathen.

Gender:

Note the change of gender. Per Dana & Mantey, p. 135, under §143 Indefinite Pronoun (5) Alternate Use (i). “Regularly pronouns take their grammatical form from a substantive antecedent expressed or understood. Sometimes, in stead of direct agreement with the grammatical form of an expressed antecedent, we have logical agreement, in some instances with actual or assumed sex, rather than grammatical gender (Matt 28:19)…”

Question: Is Gender Important?

Q1. Is gender important?

A1. This rather unusual grammatical construction is not to be taken lightly. Jesus in instructing His followers to disciple the nations (neuter), specifically instructs them to baptize them (masculine) and teach them (masculine). All scripture is inspired… We believe Jesus did not waste any words. Every word has significance. Consequently we would have to say, “Gender is important” Not because we believe its important, but because we believe Jesus believed it was important…important enough to select words and change genders to make His point. Our job is to get the point He is making.

Q2. What did Jesus really intend for His followers to understand?

Q3. What did He have in view as to the structure and manner in which His followers would carry out these instructions…especially with respect to women and even children?

A2 & A3. Without being any more dogmatic than the text is, yet not shying away from what the text lays out in front of us (i.e., letting the text lead us where it will), it appears Jesus is gently communicating that the mass of people (the nations, which includes men, women and children, and is declined in the neuter—with no particular gender in view) are to be baptized by His followers, the men baptizing the men and teaching the men.

Q4. The immediate question is, how are the women and children to be baptized and taught?

A4. Looking wider in scripture we find this idea reinforced by Paul (who got his revelation and instruction directly from God) in 1 Tim 2:12, “I suffer not a woman to teach or exercise authority over men, but to be in subjection.” Further, we find that Christ is head of the man and man is head of the woman (1 Cor 11:3). With just a little thought we can reconstruct what Jesus (must have) had in mind: namely, He wanted to disciple His 12 or 70 men. They in turn would disciple other men and those men other men and their own families. The other men would then in turn disciple other men and their own families. This is the strategic master plan Jesus implies in these subtle, yet clear texts.

Translation:

Jesus speaking: Given that all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth, therefore (now, by all means - emphatically) as you are going < ● > (or ‘while on your way through life…’ or ‘as you are proceeding in your chosen manner through life …’), I (as superior to a subordinate laying aside my authority to command you) appeal to you (and particularly to your will), it’s imperative that you actively disciple < ● > (train, acquire habits, disciple oneself) (How far or how many?) all the nations, (yes, I mean ALL the nations … and you can include the Jews in there as well) (and here’s the first step ) you-pl males among you-pl actively baptizing continuously < ---- > focusing on the males among them (i.e., the gender neutral nations) (starting with them outside the Name and) with direction towards the Name (and it’s not just any name they are being moved into …i.e., not Moses, not John, etc.) … ending up with them “inside” that particular specific single Name (and reputation) THE Specific Particular Name (and reputation) that BOTH The Father as a person possesses AND (in contrast) The Son as a person possesses AND ALSO(in contrast) The Holy Spirit as a person possesses (the single Name (and reputation) possessed by all three of these Persons of the Godhead) you-pl-masculine actively (as opposed to passively) continually (-----) teaching (or speaking in a public assembly; directing or admonishing; passing on instruction, doctrine, and information.) them (the nations, but the teaching by addressing the men while the women and children listen as well)

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[1] Dana & Mantey p53