Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 9:36

λαβὼν παιδίον. A representative of the humblest and simplest of His followers; τὸ γὰρ παιδίον οὔτε δόξης ἐφίεται, οὔτε φθονεῖ, οὔτε μνησικακεῖ (Theoph.). Syr-Sin. inserts that “He looked at him” before addressing the disciples. Similarly at Mark 10:16 it inserts that “He called” the children before laying His hands on them.

ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν. He was sitting as the centre of the group, and therefore ἐν μέσῳ for the child would be παρʼ ἑαυτῷ (Lk.), the place of honour. For other instances of Christ’s treatment of children see Mark 10:15; Luke 10:21; Luke 17:2; Matthew 21:16. The tradition that this child was Ignatius of Antioch is not found earlier than the ninth cent. (Anastasius Bibliothecarius, Nicephorus Callistus). It is not mentioned by Eusebius, and Chrysostom says that Ignatius had not seen Christ. The title ὁ Θεοφόρος means that Ignatius carried God in his heart, and ὁ Θεόφορος would mean “borne along by God” rather than “carried in the Divine arms.” It is futile to guess whose child it was.

ἐναγκαλισάμενος. See on Mark 10:16. In Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 24:33 (28) the verb is used of folding the arms with the hands in lazy inactivity. Syr-Sin. omits.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Mark 9:36

Old Testament

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