Aorist Passive Indicative
The Aorist Passive Indicative describes a completed action that was performed upon the subject.
What is the Aorist Passive Indicative?
The Aorist Passive Indicative describes a completed action that was performed upon the subject. The subject received the action (passive), the action is viewed as a simple, whole event in the past (aorist), and it is stated as fact (indicative). This form frequently appears in theological statements about what God has done for believers and in descriptions of key redemptive events.
Why This Matters for Bible Study
The aorist passive is the form of divine accomplishment. When Paul writes "you were justified" (edikaiotheete, Romans 5:1 implied context) or "you were washed, you were sanctified" (1 Corinthians 6:11), the aorist passive shows that these are completed acts performed by God upon believers. The combination of aorist (completed) and passive (God did it) creates powerful theological statements: salvation is a finished work accomplished by divine power, not human effort.
Famous Verses Using the Aorist Passive Indicative
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?"
The aorist passive "edikaiothe" (was justified) presents Abraham's justification as a completed event in which he was declared righteous. The passive voice points to God as the one who justified him.
"Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
The aorist "sesoken" (has saved) presents salvation as a completed act. The woman's faith was the instrument, but God was the agent who accomplished her salvation as a definitive, completed event.
"He is risen; he is not here."
The aorist passive "egerthe" (was raised) is significant: Jesus did not merely "rise" on His own but "was raised" by God the Father. The passive voice attributes the resurrection to divine action, and the aorist presents it as a completed historical event.
How It Compares to Related Forms
| Form | Aspect / Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aorist Passive Indicativecurrent | Completed action received by subject | "He was raised" (egerthe) |
| Present Passive Indicative | Ongoing action received by subject | "He is being raised" (egeiretai) |
| Perfect Passive Indicative | Completed action with lasting passive state | "It has been written" (gegraptai) |
| Aorist Active Indicative | Completed action done by subject | "He raised" (egeiren) |
Apply What You Have Learned
Put your knowledge of the Aorist Passive Indicative into practice with these resources.