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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Luke 23:31

The sense of this proverbial phrase is obscure, but the connection demands this general idea: what is happening to me now is nothing to what is going to happen to this people. The green tree represents innocence, the dry tree guilt, ripe for the fire of judgment. Vide Ezekiel 20:47; Ezekiel 21:3. Pricaeus cites as a parallel from Catullus: “quid facient crines quum ferro talia cedant?” The Rabbinical proverb, “si duo fuerint ligna arida et unum viride, arida illud lignum viride exurunt,” does not seem to bear the same meaning. ἐν ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ, in the wet tree, in ligno humido, Grotius. ξύλον χλωρὸν = lignum viride, in Ezekiel.

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See also Luke 23:31 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 31. _IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE_] This seems to be a proverbial expression, the sense of which is: If they spare not a tree which, by the beauty of its foliage, abundance and excel...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    FOR IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE ... - This seems to be a proverbial expression. A “green” tree is not easily set on fire; a dry one is easily kindled and burns rapidly; and the meaning of...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 23 _ 1. The son of man before Pilate and Herod. (Luke 23:1)_ 2. Pilate Yields to the People's Will; Barabbas Freed and the Son of man Condemned. (Luke 23:13) 3. The Crucifixion of the Son Of...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE JOURNEY TO CALVARY. To the incidents of Simon of Cyrene and the two malefactors (Mark 15:21 *, Matthew 27:32 *), Lk. adds that of the women of Jerusalem. Note that the people of the city are here...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    As they led Jesus away, they took Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and on him they laid the cross to carry it behind Jesus. There followed him a great crowd of the people and of...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    TRIAL BEFORE PILATE AND SILENCE BEFORE HEROD (Luke 23:1-12)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    IF THEY DO. Assuming the case. App-118. DO. are doing. A GREEN TREE. the LIVING wood: i.e. the Lord. SHALL BE DONE. must happen. THE DRY. the dry [wood]: i, e. the nation....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _For if they do these things in a green tree_, _what shall be done in the dry?_ Rather, what must happen in the dry? The meaning of this proverb is not clear, and hence it early received the most absu...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    SIMON THE CYRENIAN. THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἘΝ ΤΩ͂Ι ΞΗΡΩ͂Ι ΤΊ ΓΈΝΗΤΑΙ; ‘What must happen in the dry?’ The subjunctive is _deliberative_ as in Matthew 26:54; Matthew 23:33. The meaning of this proverb is not clear, and hence it early received th...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 26. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. 27. And there followed him a...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΎΓΡΌΣ (G5200) влажный, ΖΎΛΟΝ (G3586) дерево, ΞΗΡΌΣ (G3584) сухой. Возможно, профессиональная поговорка плотников. Имеется в виду: "если невинный человек должен так жестоко страдать, то что будет с в...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1584 CHRIST’S ADDRESS TO THE WOMEN WHO LAMENTED HIM Luke 23:27. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1585 THE GREEN AND DRY TREE Luke 23:31. _If they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?_ THE Jews, at this day, know not how to account for the judgments that ar...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    FOR IF THEY DO THOSE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE, &C.— _If these things are done in green wood._ Heylin. "If the Romans are permitted by heaven to inflict such heavy punishments upon me who am innocent, ho...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 2 Impaled (Luke 23:26-49) 26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Je...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, For the exposition see the notes at ; For the exposition, see the notes at John 18:38;...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    26 Compare Mat_27:32; Mar_15:21; Joh_19:17. 26 Tradition has sought to surround the cross with a false glamour by making it cross-shaped, instead of a single upright stake. The word "cross" itself has...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    23:31 done (a-6) See Note, ch. 6.38....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE PROCESSION TO THE CROSS (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; John 19:17). See on Mt. The beautiful address to the women of Jerusalem is peculiar to Lk. These women are not the same as the Galilean sympathi...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    TRIAL BEFORE PILATE AND HEROD. THE CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL 1-5. The trial before Pilate begins (Matthew 27:1; Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:1; John 18:2

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    IF THEY DO THESE THINGS, ETC.] i.e. 'If the Romans so cruelly treat Me whom they know to be innocent, how much more severely will they treat your children whom they will regard as rebellious and guilt...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LUKE’S GOOD NEWS LUKE _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 23 PILATE EXAMINES JESUS 23:1-7 V1 The whole group rose up and took Jesus to Pilate. V2 They began to accuse him. ‘We caught this man because he is c...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE. — The word for “tree” primarily meant “wood” or “timber,” the tree cut down. In later Greek, however, as, _e.g.,_ in Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2; Revelatio...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    “THEY CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY” Luke 23:26-34 Simon's two sons are believed to have become Christians. See Mark 15:21; Romans 16:13. Perhaps this strange interruption in his ordinary experiences l...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This is the story of the Cross, and, as in dealing with other Gospels, it is best read in reverent quietness and meditation. We see all the forces of evil as represented in the Jewish priests and in P...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    For if they do these things in a (e) green tree, what shall be done in the dry? (e) As if he said, "If they do this to me who is always fruitful and flourishing, and who lives forever by reason of my...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _In the green wood: by which are signified persons of virtue and sanctity; as by the dry wood, the wicked, who bring forth no fruit, and who, like dry wood, are fit to be cast into the fire. (Witham)...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    CHAPTER 27. JESUS LED TO CALVARY Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17. “ And the

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    1 _st. Luke 23:26-32_. The punishment required to be inflicted outside the city (Lev 24:14); it was the type of exclusion from human society (Hebrews 13). John 19:17 informs us that Jesus went out of...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    We divide this piece into three parts: the way to the cross (Luke 23:26-32); the crucifixion (Luke 23:33-38); the time passed on the cross (39-46)....

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    "And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. (27) And there followed him a great...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The last chapter gave in the judgment of present things, another world and eternal things in good and evil, the Lord's instruction for the disciples after the dealings of grace in Luke 15:1-32, and th...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    31._If they do these things in the green tree. _By this sentence Christ confirms what he had stated, that his death will not remain unpunished, and that the Jews, whose iniquity is ripe, or rather hal...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The Gentiles, however, are not presented in this Gospel as being voluntarily guilty. We see, no doubt, an indifference which is flagrant injustice in a case like this, and an insolence which nothing c...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    FOR IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE,.... Or it may be rendered impersonally, "if these things are done in a green tree"; by which is meant the Lord Jesus Christ, who is often compared to a tre...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Ver. 31. _What shall be done in the dry?_] Lo, little sucklings also are here called dry trees, dry wood, such as God's wra...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us,_ &c. Proverbial expressions, to signify their desire of any shelter or refuge; and so very desirous were they of hiding themselves, that som...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE; this was a proverb. A green tree represented one innocent and good; a dry tree, those who were wicked. If such distress as that of crucifixion would come upon...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE CRUCIFIXION, DEATH, AND BURIAL OF CHRIST. The sympathy of the women:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    FOR IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE, WHAT SHALL BE DONE IN THE DRY? See Matthew 27:31; Mark 15:21. In accordance with the decision of Pilate, Jesus was led away from the Praetorium, out to a s...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    DELIVERED TO PONTIUS PILATE (vs.1-5) It was still early morning when the Lord Jesus was brought to the judgment hall of Pilate, the Roman governor (John 18:28), for the Jews were determined to quick...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    26-31 We have here the blessed Jesus, the Lamb of God, led as a lamb to the slaughter, to the sacrifice. Though many reproached and reviled him, yet some pitied him. But the death of Christ was his v...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    SEE POOLE ON "LUKE 23:27...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian On Repentance the waters, is perennial in leaves, bears fruit at its own time,"[29]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Luke 23:31 For G3754 if G1487 do G4160 (G5719) things G5023 in G1722 green G5200 wood G3586 what...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS (23:26-33). The moment that this last part of the Gospel has been building up to has now come. Jesus had spoken of His trials and temptations (Luke 22:28), and of the sufferin...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Luke 23:26-32. THE WAY TO THE CRUCIFIXION. Here Luke is most full, but gives no support to the various legends of the _Via Dolorosa._...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Among the peculiarities of Luke's description we notice particularly the scene on the way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-32), and the story of the penitent robber (Luke 23:39-43). Both of these accord with th...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Luke 23:31. IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN THE GREEN TREE, etc. In proverbial form our Lord here contrasts what is coming upon Himself, ‘the green tree,' the fruitful vine, the innocent one when He bore o...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    IN THE GREEN TREE (εν υγρω ξυλω). Green wood is hard to burn and so is used for the innocent.IN THE DRY (εν τω ξηρω). Dry wood kindles easily and is a symbol for the guilty. This common proverb h...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Luke 23:28 Lessons of the Passion. We have in this passage two lessons before us. I. The first is the right and wrong view of Christ's Passion: "Weep not over Me, weep for yourselves." These women w...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Luke 23:27. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep fo...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Luke 23:1 , _And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him saying, We found this_ Put in what word you like villains scoundrel our translators could not...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Our Lord's last days gave tragic proof of the hate and cruel mockery of his foes; yet how marvelously he endured! Luke 23:18. _And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Now, Luke supplies some particulars which Mark has left out. Turn, therefore, to the 23 rd chapter of Luke and the 26 th verse. Luke, also, tells us of Simon. Luke 23:26. _And as they led him away, t...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Luke 23:27. _And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him._ Their best Friend, the Healer of their sick, the Lover of their children, was about...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus before Pilate and Herod. Barabbas released and Jesus condemned. The cricifixion and entombment. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Pilate, Caesar, Herod, Barabbas, Simon, two thieves, Joseph. CONCLUS...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Luke 23:12. _The same day Pilate and Herod were made friends._ This occurrence is quoted in Acts 4:27, as an accomplishment of the prophecy in the second psalm. Luke 23:22. He said to them the third t...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    THEY TOOK JESUS AWAY. The most complete notes on the Crucifixion are found in Matthew 27:32-56. A LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE FOLLOWED HIM. This shows that Jesus had a lot of sympathizers in Jerusalem. WOME...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Daughters of Jerusalem_ THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM I. WHY DID THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM WEEP? 1. He was innocent. All they had heard about Him was favourable. 2. He was benevolent. His gifts wer...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:27 Jesus quotes from Zechariah 12:10. THE DAYS ARE COMING. See...

  • The Gospels Compared

    Jesus is led away to be crucified Matthew 27:32-44; Mark 15:21-32; Luke 23:26-43; John 19:17-22;...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 23 VER. 39. _And one of the malefactors which were hanged_ (this one, according to tradition, hung on the left hand of Christ) _railed_ _on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 23:26. SIMON, A CYRENIAN.—Rather, “of Cyrene” (R.V.). There was a colony of Jews in Cyrene, and they had a synagogue in Jerusalem (Acts 6:9; Acts 11:20). Probably he had come up...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION LUKE 23:1 _The trial before Pilate_:_ First examination._ LUKE 23:1 AND THE WHOLE MULTITUDE OF THEM AROSE, AND LED HIM UNTO PILATE. The Sanhedrin had now formally condemned Jesus to dea...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And the whole multitude of them arose, and they led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and sayi...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Peter 4:17; 1 Peter 4:18; Daniel 9:26; Ezekiel 15:2; Ezekiel 20:47;

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Tree [ξ υ λ ω]. Originally wood, timber. In later Greek, a tree. Used of the cross by Peter, Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39; and 1 Peter 2:24. Compare Galatians 3:13....

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE SUFFERING CHRIST Luke 23:11 INTRODUCTORY WORDS When Christ came down to this earth; He who was holy, who knew no sin, suffered all the sorrows that sin brought into a world of shame and of wick...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    If they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry? — Our Lord makes use of a proverbial expression, frequent among the Jews, who compare a good man to a green tree, and a bad ma...

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Old Testament