Σὺ λέγεις: Philologische Untersuchungen zur semantischen Valenz der Verbindung eines Personalpronomens mit einem verbum dicendi

Abstract

The combination of two seemingly simple and commonly used words causes problems of understanding in a specific syntactic unit. The precise meaning of the phrase σὺ λέγεις appears to be unclear. A detailed semantic analysis indicates a certain and clear meaning of this phrase. It occurs in all four canonical Gospels as Jesus’ answer within the judicial proceedings leading up to his crucifixion. Consequently, it is of fundamental importance to understanding Jesus’ trial. The semantic analysis of the phrase σὺ λέγεις presented in this article offers a new basis for the discussion of the question whether Jesus may be seen as confessus according to Roman law.