καλὰ (kala) in Matthew 5:16: Adjective Accusative Plural Neuter
καλὰ (kala) in Matthew 5:16
Textual Witness
The witness reads καλὰ in Matthew 5:16.
How The Form Affects Interpretation
Qualifies the works as good in the purpose clause.
How To Communicate It
Use it to show that visible witness concerns good works, not spectacle.
What Not To Say
- Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
- Keep the form tied to Matthew 5:16.
- Do not detach it from the good-works phrase in Matthew 5:16.
- Do not use morphology alone to build a complete doctrinal claim.
What Does The Label Mean?
Adjective: the form qualifies, limits, or describes another word or idea in the clause.
Accusative: marks how the adjective fits the clause or the word it modifies.
Plural: the number follows the occurrence and its agreement pattern.
Neuter: grammatical gender marks agreement and should not be treated as an interpretive claim by itself.
What The Form Does In This Verse
Works
The good-works phrase in Matthew 5:16
Qualifies the works that people see as good.
Do not use the adjective to define goodness apart from the works and Father-glorifying purpose.
How Much The Form Matters Here
High: good works modifier
Accusative good modifier. modifies works. Attached to works. Governed by the good-works phrase in Matthew 5:16. Read with your good works.
What kind of works are seen? They are good works.
Direct: The adjective directly supports good.
This occurrence must be read within Matthew 5:16, not as a standalone word study.
How The Interpretation Is Derived
The witness reads καλὰ in Matthew 5:16.
The lemma means good, beautiful, or worthy, and here it describes the works visible to others.
The adjective agrees with works and qualifies what is seen.
Jesus speaks of visible works that are good and therefore lead observers to glorify the Father.
The form supports ethical witness while keeping the Father as the goal.
Use it to show that visible witness concerns good works, not spectacle.
Do not build a full ethic from the adjective alone.