Glory Be to Jesus Christ!
🌞
Congratulations with the Nativity of the honourable glorious prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John!
Since in the works published at the following links:
https://churchandsociety.org.ua/pdf/projects/zbirnyk.pdf
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27112024.html
it is written that the use of prepositions is important for the correct understanding of important and actual issues, in particular the issue of power, I am writing commentaries on the use of these prepositions. As a piece of advice on how to read the text, you can read the verse in translation and/or in the original (if you have the opportunity), and then the commentary on prepositions here. Next, you need to understand which part of the verse the commentary refers to, and consider what it affirms — or less often, denies — that is essential to understanding. This thoughtful reading helps to deepen understanding and protects against the mistakes mentioned above.
Matins:
See further in the reading at the liturgy.
Liturgy:
More about the reading from the Apostle see at the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/20062023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/09072024.html
Luke I, 1 — 'ἐν ἡμῖν' - 'en hemin' - in us; among us
. Where.
Luke I, 2 — 'ἀπ' ἀρχῆς' - 'ap arkhes' - from the beginning
. Common expression.
Luke I, 5 — 'ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἡρῴδου βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας' - 'en tais hemerais Herodou basileos tes Ioudaias' - in the days of Herod, king of Judaea
. When. 'ἐξ ἐφημερίας Ἀβιά' - 'ex ephemerias Abia' - from the daily course of Abijah
. That is, of which course Zacharias was a participant. 'ἐκ τῶν θυγατέρων Ἀαρών' - 'ek ton thygateron Aaron' - from the daughters of Aaron
. That is, a representative of which women Elizabeth was (of priestly lineage).
Luke I, 6 — 'ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐντολαῖς' - 'en pasais tais entolais' - in all the commandments
. That is, they lived, always fulfilling the Law of Moses, all the commandments.
Luke I, 7 — 'προβεβηκότες ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῶν ἦσαν' - 'probebekotes en tais hemerais auton esan' - were of advanced age
. That is, they were already quite old.
Luke I, 8 — 'ἐν τῷ ἱερατεύειν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ τάξει τῆς ἐφημερίας αὐτοῦ' - 'en to hierateuein auton en te taxei tes ephemerias autou' - in priestly service in the order of his course
. How.
Luke I, 9 — 'εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ κυρίου' - 'eis ton naon tou kyriou' - into the temple of the Lord
. Where to.
Luke I, 11 — 'ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου τοῦ θυμιάματος' - 'ek dexion tou thysiasteriou tou thymiamatos' - from the right side of the altar of incense
. Where, from which side. The preposition 'ek' enters here into a common expression.
Luke I, 15 — 'ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτοῦ' - 'ek koilias metros autou' - from his mother's womb
. The preposition 'ek' indicates here that this happened not at some moment after conception, but that this was always, that is, as far as can be understood — from the moment of appearance, from conception. See analogous usage in John IX, 1:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/25052025.html
Such a outstanding trait of John is a foreshadowing of the Annunciation, but the Church also believes that the Virgin Mary has the Holy Spirit from conception (although this is not spoken of directly in the Gospels).
Luke I, 17 — 'ἐν πνεύματι καὶ δυνάμει Ἡλεία' - 'en pneumati kai dynamei Heleia' - in the Spirit and power of Elijah
. That is, he will have similar spiritual gifts to the prophet Elijah the Tishbite, who for his zeal was taken alive to the heavens (and therefore is not John). 'ἀπειθεῖς ἐν φρονήσει δικαίων' - 'apeitheis en phronesei dikaion' - the disobedient in the understanding of the righteous
. That is, so that the disobedient might be converted through the understanding of the righteous, that is, so that those who were disobedient, hence, unfaithful, sinful, might become wise and righteous — this speaks of repentance.
Luke I, 18 — 'προβεβηκυῖα ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῆς' - 'probebekyia en tais hemerais autes' - advanced in her days of old age
.
Luke I, 20 — 'οἵτινες πληρωθήσονται εἰς τὸν καιρὸν αὐτῶν' - 'hoitines plerothesontai eis ton kairon auton' - which will be fulfilled (accomplished) in their time
. The Archangel Gabriel prophesies in the Holy Spirit, for angels do not know the future by themselves, but God knows.
Luke I, 21 — 'ἐθαύμαζον ἐν τῷ χρονίζειν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ναῷ' - 'ebaumazon en to khronizein auton en to nao' - marvelled at his delay in the sanctuary
. That is, he was punctual, modest, therefore never late in service.
Luke I, 22 — 'ἐν τῷ ναῷ' - 'en to nao' - in the temple
. Where.
Luke I, 23 — 'εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ' - 'eis ton oikon autou' - to his house
. Where to.
Luke I, 25 — 'ἐν ἡμέραις' - 'en hemerais' - in days
. 'ἐν ἀνθρώποις' - 'en anthropois' - in people; among people; between people
. That is, where
.
Luke I, 59 — 'ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόῃ' - 'en te hemera te ogdoe' - on the eighth day
. When.
Luke I, 61 — 'ἐκ τῆς συγγενείας σου' - 'ek tes syngeneias sou' - from your kindred
. That is, from those who come from your lineage (that is, relatives).
Luke I, 65 — 'ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ὀρεινῇ τῆς Ἰουδαίας' - 'en hole te oreine tes Ioudaias' - in all the mountainous country of Judaea
. Where. That is, in the mountainous region, in the uplands.
Luke I, 66 — 'ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν' - 'en te kardia auton' - in their heart
. Where. The singular here indicates that the thoughts united people in this.
Luke I, 80 — 'ἐν ταῖς ἐρήμοις' - 'en tais eremois' - in the deserts
. Where.
More about the Gospel reading see the links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/07072023.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!