αὐτῷ, (auto) in John 1:22: Dative Singular Masculine
αὐτῷ, (auto) in John 1:22
Textual Witness
The witness reads αὐτῷ in John 1:22 within the sentence, 'εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ, Τίς εἶ?'.
How The Form Affects Interpretation
The form helps the reader see that the question is aimed at a particular person in the exchange, without adding extra meaning beyond that address.
How To Communicate It
For communication, this supports a clear translation of direct address and keeps the focus on the spoken inquiry, not on the pronoun itself.
What Not To Say
- Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
- Case and gender help describe usage here, but they do not settle identity beyond the verse.
- Do not make grammatical gender into a theological gender claim.
What Does The Label Mean?
Pronoun: the word refers back to a person or thing already in view, rather than naming that person or thing again.
Dative: the form usually marks the indirect object, the one addressed, or another relational role shaped by the clause.
Singular: the form is grammatically singular in this occurrence, so it points to one referent in the setting.
Masculine: the form is grammatically masculine here, but this is a language feature and not a theological gender claim.
What The Form Does In This Verse
εἶπον
The pronoun follows the verb of speaking and marks the person being spoken to in this question.
It identifies the one addressed by the speakers as they ask, 'Who are you?'.
It does not by itself specify the person's identity, office, or theological status.
How Much The Form Matters Here
Moderate: The dative pronoun identifies the addressee in the delegation's question to John.
Dative singular masculine pronoun. marks the person to whom the question is directed. Attached to the speech verb in John 1:22. Governed by the verb they said. The pronoun identifies the addressee; the question supplies the content.
To whom is the question directed? The question is directed to him, John in the exchange.
Supporting: The dative pronoun supports to him or directed to him in the speech frame.
Dative case marks personal reference here and should be read with the speech verb. Masculine agreement follows the addressee. The pronoun does not answer the identity question; it only marks who receives it.
Pronoun supplies identity answer: The pronoun identifies the addressee, while the dialogue develops the identity question. dative case creates theological status: The dative marks the person addressed and should not carry status claims by itself.
How The Interpretation Is Derived
The witness reads αὐτῷ in John 1:22 within the sentence, 'εἶπον οὖν αὐτῷ, Τίς εἶ?'.
The lemma αὐτός commonly refers back to a previously mentioned person or thing, and here it functions as a personal reference in context.
The dative singular fits the questioning scene by marking the one to whom the words are directed.
The grammar shows that the speakers are addressing one specific person and pressing him for his identity.
Across the Gospel, such pronominal reference often serves ordinary discourse and should be read with the local scene in view.
In translation and teaching, the form can be rendered naturally as 'to him' or 'to him, then,' depending on style and context.
Do not derive more than addressee reference from the form alone, and do not turn masculine grammar into a doctrinal claim.