Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 2:6

τινες τῶν γραμματέων. See on Mark 1:22. The first appearance of the Scribes in Mk, but Mt. (Mark 2:4) has them in connexion with the Magi.

καθήμενοι. Lk. preserves this graphic detail and adds that they had come “out of every village of Galilee and Judaea and from Jerusalem.” That is popular hyperbole, but it shows that Christ’s teaching had already excited the misgivings of the hierarchy (John 4:1), as the Baptist’s teaching had done (John 1:19; John 1:24). Their sitting may have been accidental (Mark 3:34), but it may have been a mark of distinction such as they loved (Mark 12:39). In so crowded a room most would have to stand. On the combination of participles see on Mark 1:15.

ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις. It is remarkable that this Hebraistic expression is in Mk, while Mt., as also in Matthew 16:7-8; Matthew 21:25, has ἐν ἑαυτοῖς. In Mark 2:8 all three have ἐν τ. καρδίαις: in Mark 11:23 Mk alone has it. The heart is regarded as the seat of thought (Mark 7:21) as well as of emotion. The Scribes had not yet got so far as to express their hostile criticisms openly in Christ’s hearing.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 2:6

Old Testament

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