41 Discourse Prominence in Matthew 20,1-16: Stanley Porter’s Verbal Aspect Theory applied ERIC R. NAIZER While traditionally grammarians have understood the Greek verbal system as grammaticalizing time and/or Aktionsart, there is growing ac- knowledgment that the Greek verbal system is fundamentally aspectual. There is also increasing recognition that verbal aspect can function to provide the author with the subjective choice to define discourse prominence within any given context. Much of the scholarship done on the subject of verbal aspect with regard to discourse prominence has been done at a theoretical level leaving the majority of the New Testament open for the application of the theory. It is the purpose of this study to apply the results of verbal aspect theory articulated by Stanley E. Porter to the pericope found in Matthew 20,1-16 in order to test the viability of aspect functioning to indicate prominence. 1. Introduction The viability of the theory of verbal aspect and discourse prominence articulated by Stanley E. Porter implies a potential shift in the interpreta- tion of the NT. Because many of the traditional conclusions are based on the classic understanding of the Greek verbal system, there is a need for Porter’s verbal aspect theory to be applied to the entire NT before a defi- nitive conclusion is to be made concerning its veracity. It is the purpose of this study to apply the results of recent research to the narrative found in Matthew 20,1-16 in order to test the viability of verbal aspect theory as functioning to indicate discourse prominence. The study begins with an overview of the verbal aspect theory articulated by Stanley E. Porter, followed by a discussion of discourse prominence in the context of verbal aspect. The remaining portion of the study is dedicated to applying the enumerated theory to Matthew 20,1-16 in order to test its validity at a concrete level1. 1 For examples of Porter’s aspect theory applied across an extended portion of the NT see R. Decker, Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect (New York 2001) and D. Mathewson, “Verbal Aspect in the Apocalypse of John: An Analysis of Revelation 5,” NT 50 (2008) 58-77. Filología Neotestamentaria - Vol. XXII - 2009, pp. 41-54 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras - Universidad de Córdoba (España)