UNDERSTANDING VOICE

Grammatical voice indicates whether the subject is the performer of the action of the verb (active voice), or the subject is the recipient of the action (passive voice). If the subject of the sentence is executing the action, then the verb is referred to as being in the active voice.

For example: "Jesus was baptizing the people" (paraphrase of John 3:22; 4:1,2). "Jesus" is the subject of the sentence and is the one that is performing the action of the verb; therefore the verb is said to be in the "Active Voice".

Passive Voice

Grammatical voice indicates whether the subject is the performer of the action of the verb (active voice), or the subject is the recipient of the action (passive voice). If the subject of the sentence is being acted upon, then the verb is referred to as being in the passive voice.

For example: "Jesus ... was baptized by John in the Jordan" (Mark 1:9). "Jesus" is the subject of the sentence, but in this case He is being acted upon (i.e. He is the recipient of the action), therefore the verb is said to be in the "Passive Voice".

Middle Voice

The Greek middle voice shows the subject acting in his own interest or on his own behalf, or participating in the results of the verbal action. In overly simplistic terms, sometimes the middle form of the verb could be translated as "the performer of the action actually acting upon himself" (reflexive action).

For example: "I am washing myself." "I" is the subject of the sentence (performing the action of the verb) and yet "I" am also receiving the action of the verb. This is said to be in the "Middle Voice". Many instances in the Greek are not this obvious and cannot be translated this literally.

More Examples

Active voice: indicates that the subject produces the action.

Examples:

Tim hit the ball.

"And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it" (John 15:2b).

Passive voice: indicates that the subject is acted upon.

Examples:

Tim was hit by the ball.

"And they are burned" (John 15:6).

Middle voice: indicates that the subject initiates the action and also participates in the results of the action.  (This voice is unique to Greek construction.)

Examples:

Tim hit himself with the ball.

"That is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me" (John 15:26).

Please note that the middle and passive voices will have identical forms, but the context will show you if the subject is receiving the action (passive voice) or if the subject initiated the action and participated in it (middle voice).

Also, some verbs are deponent verbs. This means that their form in a Greek study tool may be listed as a passive or middle voice verb, but their function or action is active. Usually your Greek study tool will lists these as deponent verbs.

Voice	How the Subject is Related to the Action	Example
Active	Indicates that the subject produces the action	Tim hit the ball.
Passive	Indicates that he subject is acted upon	Tim was hit by the ball.
Middle	Indicates that the subject initiates the action and participates in the results of the action	Tim hit himself with the ball.