√ καί — and, also, even, so then, too, etcConjunction
ἐγένετοegeneto[One day]G1096 √ γίνομαι — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), iVerbAorist Indicative Middle3rd Person Singular
ginomai: to come to be The narrative formula Luke uses to open a scene; it introduces, it does not date.
√ ἐν — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etcPreposition
√ αὐτός — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other personsPersonal / Possessive PronounAccusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
√ ὁ — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)ArticleDative Neuter Singular
√ εἰμί — I exist (used only when emphatic)VerbPresent Infinitive Active
Articular infinitive (en tō einai): “in the being,” i.e. “while He was.” The question is framed inside the prayer, not after it.
προσευχόμενονproseuchomenonprayingG4336 √ προσεύχομαι — to pray to God, iVerbPresent Participle Middle or PassiveAccusative Masculine Singular
proseuchomai: to pray (present participle) The present participle holds Jesus in the act of praying when the question comes. Luke alone of the three Synoptic accounts sets the confession in prayer, as he sets the baptism (3:21), the choosing of the Twelve (6:12) and the transfiguration (9:28 to 29) in prayer. Ellicott reads the stress as Luke seeing “the result of the previous prayer”; Maclaren as preparation for a “fateful” moment.
√ κατά — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)Preposition
√ μόνος — remaining, iAdjectiveAccusative Feminine Plural
monos: alone, only Accusative feminine plural in a fixed idiom (kata monas): privacy from the crowds, not solitude from the disciples.
√ ὁ — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)ArticleNominative Masculine Plural
μαθηταίmathētaidisciplesG3101 √ μαθητής — a learner, iNounNominative Masculine Plural
συνῆσανsynēsanwere withG4895 √ σύνειμι — to be in company with, iVerbImperfect Indicative Active3rd Person Plural
syneimi: to be in company with A rare compound (2 New Testament verses per the Verifier). The imperfect pictures the disciples as a standing circle around the praying Lord: the very company who will be asked to speak for themselves in verse 20.
√ αὐτός — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other personsPersonal / Possessive PronounDative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
√ καί — and, also, even, so then, too, etcConjunction
ἐπηρώτησενepērōtēsenHe questionedG1905 √ ἐπερωτάω — to ask for, iVerbAorist Indicative Active3rd Person Singular
eperōtaō: to ask, question Aorist: a single, deliberate question. The epi compound often marks a probing inquiry rather than casual asking.
√ αὐτός — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other personsPersonal / Possessive PronounAccusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
√ λέγω — properly, to "lay" forth, iVerbPresent Participle ActiveNominative Masculine Singular
√ τίς — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)Interrogative / Indefinite PronounAccusative Masculine Singular
tis: who? Accusative, the subject of the infinitive “to be”: “whom do they say me to be.”
√ ὁ — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)ArticleNominative Masculine Plural
√ ὄχλος — a throng (as borne along)NounNominative Masculine Plural
ochlos: a throng Plural: the crowds whom Luke has just shown fed in the wilderness (9:10 to 17). Their many opinions are the foil for one confession.
√ λέγω — properly, to "lay" forth, iVerbPresent Indicative Active3rd Person Plural
√ ἐγώ — I, mePersonal / Possessive PronounAccusative 1st Person Singular
The accusative με with the infinitive εἶναι: “me to be.” The question is about His identity, not His teaching.
√ εἰμί — I exist (used only when emphatic)VerbPresent Infinitive Active