I've always understood this as a transposition into the present tense
(typically Marcan?) of the common LXX construction KAI EGENETO + acc.
subject + infinitive. I'd understand it idiomatically thus: "And it comes
to pass that he is reclining ..." (English translators always want to
translate this clear reference to ancient eating in a triclinium or the
like as "sit at table," which of course one can do, if it's preferred). At
any rate, that's the way I've always read this construction.
Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics/Washington University
One Brookings Drive/St. Louis, MO, USA 63130/(314) 935-4018
Home: 7222 Colgate Ave./St. Louis, MO 63130/(314) 726-5649
cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu OR cconrad@yancey.main.nc.us
WWW: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~cwconrad/