Mark 1 : 13

The Vulgate omits the adverb 'there' (Greek ἐκεῖ, Peshitta ܬܡܢ), likely treating the locative phrase 'in deserto' as sufficiently explicit without additional deictic reinforcement.

Greek and Vulgate place the numeral before the noun (τεσσεράκοντα ἡμέρας / quadraginta diebus), while Peshitta reverses the order (ܝܘܡܬܐ ܐܪܒܥܝܢ), following standard Semitic syntax for numeral-noun constructions.

The Vulgate uniquely adds 'et quadraginta noctibus' ('and forty nights'), harmonising with the Matthean temptation narrative (Matt 4:2) and the Mosaic typology (Exod 34:28). Neither the Greek nor the Peshitta attest this phrase in Mark's account.

Greek employs a present passive participle (πειραζόμενος) indicating continuous action; Peshitta uses the temporal particle ܟܕ with an ethpeal participle (ܡܬܢܣܐ), creating a circumstantial clause; Vulgate uses an imperfect passive indicative (tentabatur), all expressing durative temptation but through distinct grammatical strategies.

Greek uses coordinating conjunction καὶ with finite verb ἦν; Peshitta employs the compound form ܘܐܝܬܘܗܝ ܗܘܐ (periphrastic construction with existential particle); Vulgate contracts to the enclitic -que attached to erat, all expressing continuation but with varying degrees of syntactic independence.

The Vulgate again inserts a colon after 'bestiis', creating a tripartite structure (temptation : beasts : angels) through punctuation, while Greek and Peshitta maintain paratactic coordination without such hierarchical segmentation.

Greek and Vulgate place the subject 'angels' before the verb (οἱ ἄγγελοι διηκόνουν / angeli ministrabant), following standard SVO/VSO patterns; Peshitta inverts to verb-subject order (ܘܡܫܡܫܝܢ ܡܠܐܟܐ), a common Semitic construction especially in narrative continuation.

The Peshitta includes the auxiliary verb ܗܘܘ (plural 'were') to form a periphrastic imperfect construction with the participle ܘܡܫܡܫܝܢ, making the plural agreement explicit, whereas Greek and Latin express plurality through verb inflection alone (διηκόνουν / ministrabant).