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Defining the function of the middle voice is not an easy task because it encompasses a large and amorphous group of nuances. But in general, in the middle voice the subject performs or experiences the action expressed by the verb in such a way that emphasizes the subject's participation. It may be said that the subject acts with a vested interest. "The middle calls special attention to the subject ... the subject is acting in relation to himself somehow" (Roberson, 804).
The difference between the active and middle voice is one of emphasis. The active emphasizes the action of the verb; the middle emphasizes the actor [subject] of the verb. For many middle voices (especially the indirect middle), putting the subject in italics would communicate this emphasis.
Direct (Reflexive, Direct Reflexive) Middle
With the direct middle, the subject acts on himself or herself. the genius of the middle can most clearly be seen by this use. But because of its very subtlety, nonnative speakers tended to replace this with more familiar forms. In th eNT, the direct middle is quite rare, used almost exclusively with certain verbs whose leical nuance included a reflexive notion (such as putting on clothes), or in a set idiom that had become fixed in the language.
- Matt 27:5 He hanged himself
Indirect (Indirect Reflexive, Benefactive, Intensive, Dynamic) Middle
The subject acts for (or sometimes by) himself or herself, or in his or her own interest. This is a common use of the middle in the NT; apart from the deponent middle, it is the most common. This usage is closest to the general definition of the middle suggested by many grammarians.
- Acts 5:2 And he *kept bac*k [some] of the price [for himself]
- Matt 27:24 Pilate washed his hands saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood."
Causative Middle
The subject has something done for or to himself or herself. As well, the subject may be the source behind an action done in his/her behalf. This usage, though rare, involves some exegetically important texts.
- Luke 11:38 When the Pharisee saw this, he was amazed because [Jesus] did not first have himself washed before the meal.
Permissive Middle
The subject allows something to be done for or to himself or herself. This usage, though rare, involves some exegetically important texts.
- Luke 2:4-5 Joseph went up from Galilee ... (5) to be enrolled with Mary.
- Acts 22:16 Rise, have yourself baptized8 and allow your sins to be washed away.
Deponent Middle
A deponent middle verb is one that has no active form for a particular principal part in Hellenistic Greek, and one whose force in that principal part is evidently active. See Wallace for his list of true deponents. |
