Rest Yet For A Little Season: A Word Study Of ΜΙΚΡΟΣ

Μικρός is an adjective meaning little or small. It is a small word that showcases many of the grammatical features of adjectives in New Testament Greek in a single neat package.

ΜΙΚΡΟΣ As Attributive Adjective

The most common use of an adjective is the attributive use. In this use, the adjective defines a noun more precisely.

In Luke 12:32 Jesus says “Fear not μικρὸν ποίμνιον (little flock)”. Here the adjective further details the flock as small in number.

In 1 Corinthians 5:6 the Apostle Paul gives a cooking lesson: a μικρὰ ζύμη (a little leaven) leavens the whole lump.

The KJV translation quoted in the title of this post renders the phrase χρόνον μικρὸν (a little time) as a “little season”.

ΜΙΚΡΟΣ As Predicative Adjective

Basically, the verb “to be” says “x(noun) is y(adjective)”. In this case, the adjective is not qualifying the noun but is equated with the noun. It is called the complement of the noun. This known as the predicative use of the adjective.

In Luke 19:3 Zacchaeus is described as a rich tax collector who was unable to see Jesus due to the crowd because he was μικρὸς (small) in stature. This is an impersonal construction that says “because he was small in stature”. The adjective “small” is the complement of the noun “he”.

Technical Interlude

μικρός, ά, όν is a three ending adjective with the feminine in α.

It is declined like ἃγιος.

ΜΙΚΡΟΣ As Noun

Another common use that NT Greek makes of adjectives is to turn them into nouns. In this case, the adjective is coupled with the article. The article turns the adjective into a substantive.

In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says “whoever gives ἔνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων (one of these little ones) a cup of drink”. Here the term “μικρῶν” is put with the article “τῶν” to specify a class of things i.e. a noun. The article is not translated into English; the word “ones” is added to bring out the meaning.

In Acts 8:10, all pay attention to Simon ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου (from small to great). These substantive adjectives lack the article because they are governed by the preposition άπὸ (yes, you need to learn Greek).

In 2 Corinthians 11:16 Paul asks his audience to accept him as a fool so that he may boast a μικρόν τι (a little).

The beast of Revelation 13 causes all things τοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγαλάλους (small and great)…to be marked.

ΜΙΚΡΟΣ As Adverb

NT Greek can also use the adjective adverbially. This is especially the case with such common adjectives as μόνον, πρῶτον, ὕστερον and even μίκρον in the neuter accusative singular.

In Matthew 26:73, Peter denies Jesus a third time μετὰ μικρὸν (after a little while) and in Hebrews 10:37, the author quotes scripture ἔτι γὰρ μικρὸν (yet a little while).

Comparative ΜΙΚΡΟΣ For Superlative ΜΙΚΡΟΣ

This a a relatively rare aspect of New Testament Greek grammar, but the comparative degree of an adjective can be used with a superlative sense.

In Luke 9:48, Jesus states that the “μικρότερος (least) among you …is greatest”. The sense is not the comparative “lesser” but the superlative “least”.