Eric R. Naizer, «Discourse Prominence in Matthew 20,1-16: Stanley Porter's Verbal Aspect Theory applied», Vol. 22 (2009) 41-54
While traditionally grammarians have understood the Greek verbal system as grammaticalizing time and/or Aktionsart, there is growing acknowledgment 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.
54 Eric R. Naizer
perceive the process as unfolding, or in the case of the imperfect tense
to emphasize particular background information. The stative aspect is
selectively utilized by the author to cause specific elements within the
narrative to be especially conspicuous (i.e., the laborers standing idle in
vv. 3 and 6, particularly the last group hired by the landowner in v. 6).
The application of Porter’s model to Matthew 20,1-16 reveals no grounds
as to why verbal aspect should not be understood to indicate discourse
prominence in this passage. Thus, the above study has confirmed the
application of verbal aspect theory appears to function to identify levels
of prominence in this pericope. This is especially evident in the author’s
use of the stative aspect to describe the groups of laborers who function
as critical elements within the parable.
In summation, when applying Porter’s verbal aspect model to Matthew
20,1-16, the viability of the paradigm indicates that verbal aspect can
designate discourse prominence in this portion of the NT. While there
remains a significant amount of analysis to be done, what is gradually
becoming clear is the need to rethink traditional paradigms in the con-
text of the Greek verbal system in order to help guide the future of the
interpretation of the NT.
Eric R. NAIZER
Department of Religion
Florida State University
M05 Dodd Hall
Tallahassee, FL 32306
USA
ericnaizer@yahoo.com
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