Saying That: quia, quod in the Vulgate
That: Quia, Quod in the Vulgate
Quia or quod means that, and the verb keeps its own subject.
How It Works
| Way | Latin | Subject and verb |
|---|---|---|
| classical | Scimus te veracem esse. | te in the accusative, esse an infinitive |
| Vulgate | Scimus quia verax es. | tu understood in es, a finite verb |
Quia and quod also mean because. After a verb of saying, knowing or seeing they mean that, and the verb of the clause is in the indicative. Read the first verb to know which meaning you have.
The Greek of the New Testament has a joining word for that, and the Vulgate often renders it with quia, quod or quoniam. You will see the pattern in the Gospels and the Mass readings.
Both ways are used. A school exam wants the accusative and infinitive, and a Church text may have either.
Examples (5)
- Magister, scimus quia verax es.
Teacher, we know that you are truthful.
Matthew 22:16. Quia starts the clause, and es is an ordinary verb in the indicative.
- Dico vobis quod ita gaudium erit in caelo.
I tell you that there will be joy like this in heaven.
Luke 15:7. Quod follows dico, and erit is the future indicative.
- Haec autem scripta sunt ut credatis, quia Iesus est Christus Filius Dei.
But these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
John 20:31. Ut credatis is a purpose clause, and quia starts what you may believe.
- Scimus te veracem esse.
We know that you are truthful.
The classical way to say the same thing, with the accusative and infinitive.
- Dicit sacerdos quia Dominus adest.
The priest says that the Lord is present.
Quia follows dicit, and adest keeps its subject Dominus in the nominative.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Church Latin often replaces the accusative and infinitive with quia or quod.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Saying That: quia, quod in the Vulgate in Bubblegum
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