ἀπʼ ἀγορᾶς, from market (coming understood = ὅταν ἔλθωσι in [62]), a common ellipsis, examples in Raphel, Kypke, and Bos, Ell. Gr., p. 98. ῥαντίσωνται ([63] [64]), they sprinkle. The reading, βαπτίσωνται (T.R.), may be interpreted either as = dipping of the hands (mersionem manuum, Lightfoot, Wetstein), or, bathing of the whole body. (Meyer. “The statement proceeds by way of climax: before eating they wash the hands always. When they come from market they take a bath before eating.”) ποτηρίων, ξεστῶν, χαλκίων : the evangelist explains how the Jews not only cleansed their own persons, but also all sorts of household utensils altogether a serious business, that of preserving ceremonial purity. The two first articles, cups and jugs, would be of wood; earthen vessels when defiled had to be broken (Leviticus 15:12). The second word, ξεστῶν, is a Latinism = sextus or sextarius, a Roman measure = 1½ English pints; here used without reference to contents = urceus in Vulg [65] χαλκίων = vessels of brass. The καὶ κλινῶν, added in some MSS., will mean couches for meals on which diseased persons may have lain (lepers, etc.).

[62] Codex Bezae

[63] Codex Sinaiticus (sæc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile type by its discoverer, Tischendorf, in 1862.

[64] Codex Vaticanus (sæc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.

[65] Vulgate (Jerome's revision of old Latin version).

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Old Testament