Mark 12 : 20

Greek uses simple imperfect ἦσαν ('were'); Peshitta employs the periphrastic construction ܐܝܬ ܗܘܘ (existential particle + hwā); Vulgate uses imperfect erant. All three express past existence, but Syriac prefers the analytic construction typical of its verbal system.

Greek employs the article + adjective construction (ὁ πρῶτος, 'the first [one]'); Vulgate mirrors this with et primus; Peshitta uses the bare adjective ܩܕܡܝܐ without conjunction or article, reflecting Syriac's tendency toward asyndetic coordination and lack of definite articles.

Greek uses conjunction καὶ + present participle ἀποθνῄσκων ('and dying'); Peshitta employs the simple perfect ܘܡܝܬ ('and he died'); Vulgate uses conjunction et + perfect passive participle mortuus est. The Greek participle suggests contemporaneous or circumstantial action, while Peshitta and Vulgate treat death as a completed sequential event.

Greek uses negated finite verb οὐκ ἀφῆκεν ('he did not leave'); Peshitta mirrors this with ܘܠܐ ܫܒܩ; Vulgate employs the ablative absolute construction non relicto semine ('seed not having been left'), a characteristically Latin participial absolute expressing attendant circumstance rather than finite negation.