Spoken Ancient Greek - The Companion's Companion

Lesson Three - Part One (Greek)

Matthew Duffy — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:31:46 +0000

This week, Matthew and Luke continue their journey through Mark Jeong's text, tackling Lesson 3 (τὸ τρίτον δίδαγμα). In this immersive Ancient Greek conversation, they discuss a narrative featuring Prisca (Priscilla), Saul (Saul), and Barnabas. The central conflict revolves around the nature of Jesus' Kingdom (βασιλεία). While Prisca asserts that the kingdom exists in the heart, Saul and Barnabas remain skeptical, arguing that because they cannot see a physical kingdom on earth, they cannot believe in it. The hosts explore the tension between empirical sight and spiritual faith, culminating in the lesson's motto: "It is time to believe" (ὥρα ἐστὶν πιστεύειν).

Topics discussed:

Reading and comprehension of Lesson 3: The theological debate between Prisca, Saul, and Barnabas.
Key verbs: πιστεύει (believes), βλέπει (sees), and γινώσκει (knows).
The contrasting definitions of the βασιλεία (kingdom): Is it of the earth (τῆς γῆς) or of the heart (τῆς καρδίας)?
Saul and Barnabas's skepticism: The inability to believe what one cannot physically see.
Jesus’ identification with the ἀλήθεια (truth).

Links mentioned in this episode:

A Greek Reader: Companion to A Primer of Biblical Greek by Mark Jeong
A Primer of Biblical Greek by N. Clayton Croy

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Lesson Two (Greek)

Matthew Duffy — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 01:21:59 +0000

This week, Matthew and Luke continue their journey through Mark Jeong's text, tackling Lesson 2 (τὸ δεύτερον δίδαγμα). In this immersive Ancient Greek conversation, they explore a narrative involving Jacob, Maria, David, and Mark. While Jacob and Maria attempt to write a Bible, David—claiming a desire to "teach"—decides to destroy their work. The hosts break down the vocabulary of writing, emotional reactions, and destruction, while humorously debating the validity of David’s aggressive pedagogical methods.

Topics discussed:

Reading and comprehension of Lesson 2: The story of Jacob, Maria, and David.
Key verbs: γράφει (writes), λύει (looses/destroys), διδάσκει (teaches), and κλαίει (cries).
The use of λύειν (to loose/untie) in the context of destroying a scroll or book.
David’s circular logic: destroying a book to teach that he does not want to write.
Mark’s judgment of the situation and the distinction between a "good teacher" (διδάσκαλος καλός) and a "bad teacher" (διδάσκαλος κακός).

Links mentioned in this episode:

A Greek Reader: Companion to A Primer of Biblical Greek by Mark Jeong
A Primer of Biblical Greek by N. Clayton Croy

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Lesson One - Part Two (Greek)

Matthew Duffy — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 21:03:38 +0000

In this short conclusion to Lesson 1, Matthew and Luke wrap up their immersive spoken Greek session. Matthew tests Luke’s comprehension of the narrative, focusing on the specific relationships between the characters and the logic of who recognizes whom in the story. They clarify the identity of the "Teacher" and confirm the names of all four participants in the text.

Topics discussed:

A summary of the four characters present: Jacob, David, Mary, and Mark.
The logic of recognition (ἐπιγινώσκω): Clarifying that Mark knows everyone, but the students do not all know each other.
The revelation of the Teacher's name (τὸ ὄνομα).
Final comprehension checks regarding the narrative flow.

Links mentioned in this episode:

A Greek Reader: Companion to A Primer of Biblical Greek by Mark Jeong
A Primer of Biblical Greek by N. Clayton Croy
Reformed Theological Seminary
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Lesson One - Part One (Greek)

Matthew Duffy — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:40:42 +0000

This week, Matthew and Luke dive into Lesson 1, conducting the entire episode in spoken Ancient Greek. They guide listeners through a narrative dialogue involving introductions and identity, featuring characters named Jacob, David, Mary, and a teacher named Mark. Matthew reads the text and asks Luke comprehension questions to enforce listening skills and vocabulary retention.

Topics discussed:

Basic greetings (Χαῖρε) and self-identifications (Ἐγώ εἰμι).
The meeting of Jacob (Ἰάκωβος) and David (Δαυίδ).
Mary's (Μαρία) arrival and her recognition of David but not Jacob.
The entrance of Mark (Μᾶρκος), who identifies himself as the teacher (διδάσκαλος), and the group's reaction.

Links mentioned in this episode:

A Greek Reader: Companion to A Primer of Biblical Greek by Mark Jeong
A Primer of Biblical Greek by N. Clayton Croy
Reformed Theological Seminary
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Introduction (English)

Matthew Duffy — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:58:27 +0000

This week, Matthew and Luke introduce "The Greek Reader Companion to the Companion," a spoken Ancient Greek podcast designed to accompany Mark Jeong's A Greek Reader. They discuss the pedagogical gap between learning grammar and actually reading the New Testament, their personal backgrounds in Biblical Greek, and the conversational format they will use to help students achieve reading fluency.

Topics discussed:

Introduction of hosts Matthew (ὁ Μαθθαῖος) and Luke (ὁ Λουκᾶς).
The limitations of the "Grammar-Translation" method for reading fluency.
The specific resource being used: Mark Jeong's A Greek Reader.
The podcast format: An explanation and reading of the text with comprehension questions in Greek.

Links mentioned in this episode:

A Greek Reader: Companion to A Primer of Biblical Greek by Mark Jeong
A Primer of Biblical Greek by N. Clayton Croy
Reformed Theological Seminary
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm