UNTO THE DISCIPLES (κα προς τους μαθητας). The three preceding parables in chapter 15 exposed the special faults of the Pharisees, "their hard exclusiveness, self-righteousness, and contempt for others" (Plummer). This parable is given by Luke alone. The κα (also) is not translated in the Revised... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS THIS THAT I HEAR? (τ τουτο ακουω;). There are several ways of understanding this terse Greek idiom. The Revised Version (above) takes τ to be equal to τ εστιν τουτο ο ακουω; That is a possible use of the predicate τουτο. Another way is to take τ to be exclamatory, which is less likely. St... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHIN HIMSELF (εν εαυτω). As soon as he had time to think the thing over carefully. He knew that he was guilty of embezzlement of the Master's funds.TAKETH AWAY (αφαιρειτα). Present (linear) middle indicative of αφαιρεω, old verb to take away. Here the middle present means, He is taking away f... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM RESOLVED (εγνων). Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω. A difficult tense to reproduce in English. I knew, I know, I have known, all miss it a bit. It is a burst of daylight to the puzzled, darkened man: I've got it, I see into it now, a sudden solution.WHAT TO DO (τ ποιησω). Either... [ Continue Reading ]
MEASURES (βατους). Transliterated word for Hebrew _bath_, between eight and nine gallons. Here alone in the N.T. Not the same word as βατος ( BUSH ) in Luke 6:44.THY BOND (σου τα γραμματα). Thy writings, thy contracts, thy note.QUICKLY (ταχεως). It was a secret arrangement and speed was essen... [ Continue Reading ]
MEASURES (κορους). Another Hebrew word for dry measure. The Hebrew _cor_ was about ten bushels. Data are not clear about the Hebrew measures whether liquid ( BATH ) or dry ( COR ).... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS LORD COMMENDED (επηινεσεν ο κυριος). The steward's lord praised him though he himself had been wronged again (see verse Luke 16:1 "wasting his goods").THE UNRIGHTEOUS STEWARD (τον οικονομον της αδικιας). Literally, the steward of unrighteousness. The genitive is the case of genus, species,... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE MAMMON OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (εκ του μαμωνα της αδικιας). By the use of what is so often evil (money). In Matthew 6:24 mammon is set over against God as in Luke 16:13 below. Jesus knows the evil power in money, but servants of God have to use it for the kingdom of God. They should use it disc... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITHFUL IN A VERY LITTLE (πιστος εν ελαχιστω). Elative superlative. One of the profoundest sayings of Christ. We see it in business life. The man who can be trusted in a very small thing will be promoted to large responsibilities. That is the way men climb to the top. Men who embezzle in large s... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITHFUL IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON (εν τω αδικω μαμωνα). In the use of what is considered "unrighteous" as it so often is. Condition of the first class, "if ye did not prove to be" (ε ουκ εγενεσθε). Failure here forfeits confidence in "the true riches" (το αληθινον). There is no sadder story than... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH IS YOUR OWN (το υμετερον). But Westcott and Hort read το ημετερον (our own) because of B L Origen. The difference is due to itacism in the pronunciation of υ- and η alike (long). But the point in the passage calls for "yours" as correct. Earthly wealth is ours as a loan, a trust, withd... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVANT (οικετης). Household (οικος) servant. This is the only addition to Matthew 6:24 where otherwise the language is precisely the same, which see. Either Matthew or Luke has put the λογιον in the wrong place or Jesus spoke it twice. It suits perfectly each context. There is no real reason for... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO WERE LOVERS OF MONEY (φιλαργυρο υπαρχοντες). Literally, being lovers of money. Φιλαργυρο is an old word, but in the N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 3:2. It is from φιλος and αργυρος.HEARD (ηκουον). Imperfect active, were listening (all the while Jesus was talking to the disciples (verses Luke... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT JUSTIFY YOURSELVES (ο δικαιουντες εαυτους). They were past-masters at that and were doing it now by upturned noses.AN ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD (βδελυγμα ενωπιον του θεου). See on Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14 for this LXX word for a detestable thing as when Antiochus Epiphanes set up an... [ Continue Reading ]
ENTERETH VIOLENTLY INTO IT (εις αυτην βιαζετα). A corresponding saying occurs in Matthew 11:12 in a very different context. In both the verb βιαζετα, occurs also, but nowhere else in the N.T. It is present middle here and can be middle or passive in Matthew, which see. It is rare in late prose. D... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE TITTLE (μιαν κερεαν). See on Matthew 5:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMITTETH ADULTERY (μοιχευε). Another repeated saying of Christ (Matthew 5:32; Mark 10:11; Matthew 19:9). Adultery remains adultery, divorce or no divorce, remarriage or no marriage.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS CLOTHED (ενεδιδυσκετο). Imperfect middle of ενδιδυσκω, a late intensive form of ενδυω. He clothed himself in or with. It was his habit.PURPLE (πορφυραν). This purple dye was obtained from the purple fish, a species of mussel or μυρεξ (1Macc. 4:23). It was very costly and was used for the... [ Continue Reading ]
BEGGAR (πτωχος). Original meaning of this old word. See on Matthew 5:3. The name Lazarus is from Ελεαζαρος, "God a help," and was a common one. _Lazar_ in English means one afflicted with a pestilential disease.WAS LAID (εβεβλητο). Past perfect passive of the common verb βαλλω. He had been flun... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE CRUMBS THAT FELL (απο των πιπτοντων). From the things that fell from time to time. The language reminds one of Luke 15:16 (the prodigal son) and the Syro-Phoenician woman (Mark 7:28). Only it does not follow that this beggar did not get the scraps from the rich man's table. Probably he d... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS BORNE (απενεχθηνα). First aorist passive infinitive from αποφερω, a common compound defective verb. The accusative case of general reference (αυτον) is common with the infinitive in such clauses after εγενετο, like indirect discourse. It is his soul, of course, that was so borne by the angels... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HADES (εν τω Hαιδη). See on Matthew 16:18 for discussion of this word. Lazarus was in Hades also for both Paradise (Abraham's bosom) and Gehenna are in the unseen world beyond the grave.IN TORMENTS (εν βασανοις). The touchstone by which gold and other metals were tested, then the rack for to... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE MAY DIP (ινα βαψη). First aorist active subjunctive of βαπτω, common verb, to dip.IN WATER (υδατος). Genitive, the specifying case, water and not something else.COOL (καταψυξη). First aorist active subjunctive of καταψυχω, a late Greek compound, to cool off, to make cool. Only here in... [ Continue Reading ]
RECEIVEDST (απελαβες). Second aorist indicative of απολαμβανω, old verb to get back what is promised and in full. See also Luke 6:34; Luke 18:30; Luke 23:41.EVIL THINGS (τα κακα). Not "his," but "the evil things" that came upon him.THOU ART IN ANGUISH (οδυνασα). Like καυχασα in Romans 2:17. T... [ Continue Reading ]
BESIDE ALL THIS (εν πασ τουτοις).IN ALL THESE THINGS (or regions).GULF (χασμα). An old word from χαινω, to yawn, our chasm, a gaping opening. Only here in the N.T.IS FIXED (εστηρικτα). Perfect passive indicative of στηριζω, old verb (see on Luke 9:51). Permanent chasm.MAY NOT BE ABLE (μη... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YOU SEND HIM (ινα πεμψηις αυτον). As if he had not had a fair warning and opportunity. The Roman Catholics probably justify prayer to saints from this petition from the Rich Man to Abraham, but both are in Hades (the other world). It is to be observed besides, that Abraham makes no effort to... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE MAY TESTIFY (οπως διαμαρτυρητα). An old verb for solemn and thorough (δια-) witness. The Rich Man labours under the delusion that his five brothers will believe the testimony of Lazarus as a man from the dead.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM HEAR THEM (ακουσατωσαν αυτων). Even the heathen have the evidence of nature to show the existence of God as Paul argues in Romans so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WILL REPENT (μετανοησουσιν). The Rich Man had failed to do this and he now sees that it is the one thing lacking. It is not wealth, not poverty, not alms, not influence, but repentance that is needed. He had thought repentance was for others, not for all.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER WILL THEY BE PERSUADED (ουδ' πεισθησοντα). First future passive of πειθω. Gressmann calls attention to the fact that Jesus is saying this in the conclusion of the parable. It is a sharp discouragement against efforts today to communicate with the dead. "Saul was not led to repentance when... [ Continue Reading ]