Mark 8 : 16

The Peshitta combines the conjunction with the verb in a single participial form ܘܡܬܚܫܒܝܢ ('and they were reasoning'), whereas Greek and Latin separate the conjunction from the main verb. This reflects typical Syriac preference for synthetic verbal constructions.

The Peshitta employs a periphrastic construction with the participle ܡܬܚܫܒܝܢ plus auxiliary ܗܘܘ to render the Greek imperfect διελογίζοντο, while the Vulgate uses the simple imperfect cogitabant. All three convey ongoing past action but through different grammatical strategies.

The Vulgate inserts a colon to mark the transition to direct discourse, a feature of Latin manuscript tradition not present in Greek or Syriac witnesses. This represents scribal punctuation practice rather than textual variation.

Greek uses third-person plural οὐκ ἔχουσιν ('they do not have'), Latin employs first-person plural non habemus ('we do not have'), and Syriac uses the existential negative ܠܝܬ with first-person suffix ܠܢ ('there is not to us'). The shift from third to first person in Latin and Syriac represents the disciples' self-reference in direct speech, while Greek maintains narrative perspective.