Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary
Mark 3:24
ἐφʼ ἑαυήν. “In relation to itself,” and so in itself. Neither A.V. nor R.V. makes any distinction between καθʼ ἑαυτῆς (Matthew 12:25 bis) and ἐφʼ ἑαυτήν (Mk, Lk.). In Mt., Vulg. distinguishes καθʼ ἑαυτῆς, contra se, from ἐφʼ ἑαυτήν, adversus se; but here it is very capricious, si regnum in se dividatur … si domus super semet ipsam dispertiatur … si Satanas consurrexit in semet ipsum. Possibly no distinction is intended between σταθῆναι and στῆναι, and the readings are confused; σταθῆναι (without variant) is right in Mark 3:24, and στῆναι ([615][616][617][618] is right in Mark 3:26. In Mark 3:25, στῆναι ([619][620][621][622]) is preferable to σταθῆναι ([623][624][625] etc.). Cf. “They shall not be able to stand” (Psalms 17:3; Psalms 17:9; Psalms 36:12), οὐ μὴ δυνῶνται στῆναι. Unity is strength; it is not only good and joyful (Psalms 133:1), it is indispensable to success (Revelation 17:17).
[615] Codex Sinaiticus. 4th cent. Discovered by Tischendorf in 1859 at the Monastery of St Katharine on Mount Sinai. Now at St Petersburg. The whole Gospel, ending at Mark 16:8. Photographic facsimile, 1911.
[616] Codex Vaticanus. 4th cent., but perhaps a little later than א. In the Vatican Library almost since its foundation by Pope Nicolas V., and one of its greatest treasures. The whole Gospel, ending at Mark 16:8. Photographic facsimile, 1889.
[617] Codex Ephraemi. 5th cent. A palimpsest: the original writing has been partially rubbed out, and the works of Ephraem the Syrian have been written over it; but a great deal of the original writing has been recovered; of Mark we have Mark 1:17 to Mark 6:31; Mark 8:5 to Mark 12:29; Mark 13:19 to Mark 16:20. In the National Library at Paris.
[618] Codex Regius. 8th cent. An important witness. At Paris. Contains Mark 1:1 to Mark 10:15; Mark 10:30 to Mark 15:1; Mark 15:20 to Mark 16:20, but the shorter ending is inserted between Mark 16:8 and Mark 16:9, showing that the scribe preferred it to the longer one.
[619] Codex Vaticanus. 4th cent., but perhaps a little later than א. In the Vatican Library almost since its foundation by Pope Nicolas V., and one of its greatest treasures. The whole Gospel, ending at Mark 16:8. Photographic facsimile, 1889.
[620] Codex Cyprius. 9th cent. One of the seven uncials which have the Gospels complete, the others being אBMSUΩ. At Paris.
[621] Codex Regius. 8th cent. An important witness. At Paris. Contains Mark 1:1 to Mark 10:15; Mark 10:30 to Mark 15:1; Mark 15:20 to Mark 16:20, but the shorter ending is inserted between Mark 16:8 and Mark 16:9, showing that the scribe preferred it to the longer one.
[622] Codex Petropolitanus. 9th cent. Gospels almost complete. Mark 16:18-20 is in a later hand.
[623] Codex Sinaiticus. 4th cent. Discovered by Tischendorf in 1859 at the Monastery of St Katharine on Mount Sinai. Now at St Petersburg. The whole Gospel, ending at Mark 16:8. Photographic facsimile, 1911.
[624] Codex Alexandrinus. 5th cent. Brought by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch of Constantinople, from Alexandria, and afterwards presented by him to King Charles I. in 1628. In the British Museum. The whole Gospel. Photographic facsimile, 1879.
[625] Codex Boreelianus. Once in the possession of John Boreel. 9th cent. At Utrecht. Contains Mk 1–41; Mark 2:8-23; Mark 3:5 to Mark 11:6; Mark 11:27 to Mark 14:54; Mark 15:6-39; Mark 16:19-20.