AFTER SIX DAYS (μεθ' ημερας εξ). This could be on the sixth day, but as Luke (Luke 9:28) puts it "about eight days" one naturally thinks of a week as the probable time, though it is not important.TAKETH WITH HIM (παραλαμβανε). Literally,TAKES ALONG . Note historical present. These three disci... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS TRANSFIGURED BEFORE THEM (μετεμορφωθη εμπροσθεν αυτων). The word is the same as the metamorphoses (cf. Ovid) of pagan mythology. Luke does not use it. The idea is change (μετα-) of form (μορφη). It really presents the essence of a thing as separate from the σχημα (fashion), the outward acci... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE APPEARED (ωφθη). Singular aorist passive verb with Moses (to be understood also with Elijah), but the participle συνλαλουντες is plural agreeing with both. "Sufficient objectivity is guaranteed by the vision being enjoyed by all three" (Bruce). The Jewish apocalypses reveal popular expectat... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PETER ANSWERED (αποκριθεις δε ο Πετρος). "Peter to the front again, but not greatly to his credit" (Bruce). It is not clear what Peter means by his saying: "It is good for us to be here" (καλον εστιν ημας ωδε εινα). Luke (Luke 9:33) adds "not knowing what he said," as they "were heavy with sl... [ Continue Reading ]
OVERSHADOWED (επεσκιασεν). They were up in cloud-land that swept round and over them. See this verb used of Mary (Luke 1:35) and of Peter's shadow (Acts 5:15).THIS IS (ουτος εστιν). At the baptism (Matthew 3:17) these words were addressed to Jesus. Here the voice out of the bright cloud speaks... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TOUCHED THEM (κα αψαμενος αυτων). Tenderness in their time of fear.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFTING UP THEIR EYES (επαραντες τους οφθαλμους αυτων). After the reassuring touch of Jesus and his words of cheer.JESUS ONLY (Ιησουν μονον). Moses and Elijah were gone in the bright cloud.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTIL (εως ου). This conjunction is common with the subjunctive for a future event as his Resurrection (εγερθη) was. Again (Mark 9:10) they were puzzled over his meaning. Jesus evidently hopes that this vision of Moses and Elijah and his own glory might stand them in good stead at his death.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIJAH MUST FIRST COME (Ελειαν δε ελθειν πρωτον). So this piece of theology concerned them more than anything else. They had just seen Elijah, but Jesus the Messiah had come before Elijah. The scribes used Malachi 4:5. Jesus had also spoken again of his death (resurrection). So they are puzzled.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIJAH IS COME ALREADY (Ελειας ηδη ηλθεν). Thus Jesus identifies John the Baptist with the promise in Malachi, though not the real Elijah in person which John denied (John 1:21).THEY KNEW HIM NOT (ουκ επιγνωσαν αυτον). Second aorist active indicative of επιγινωσκω, to recognize. Just as they do... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN UNDERSTOOD (τοτε συνηκαν). One of the three k aorists. It was plain enough even for them. John was Elijah in spirit and had prepared the way for the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
EPILEPTIC (σεληνιαζετα). Literally, "moonstruck," "lunatic." The symptoms of epilepsy were supposed to be aggravated by the changes of the moon (cf. Matthew 4:24).HE HAS IT BAD (κακως εχε) as often in the Synoptic Gospels.... [ Continue Reading ]
PERVERSE (διεστραμμενη). Distorted, twisted in two, corrupt. Perfect passive participle of διαστρεφω.... [ Continue Reading ]
LITTLE FAITH (ολιγοπιστιαν). A good translation. It was less than "a grain of mustard seed" (κοκκον σιναπεως). See Matthew 13:31 for this phrase. They had no miracle faith. Bruce holds "this mountain" to be the Mount of Transfiguration to which Jesus pointed. Probably so. But it is a parable. Our... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY WERE EXCEEDING SORRY (κα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα). So they at last understood that he was talking about his death and resurrection.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT RECEIVED THE HALF-SHEKEL (ο τα διδραχμα λαμβανοντες). This temple tax amounted to an Attic drachma or the Jewish half-shekel, about one-third of a dollar. Every Jewish man twenty years of age and over was expected to pay it for the maintenance of the temple. But it was not a compulsory t... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SPAKE FIRST TO HIM (προεφθασεν αυτον ο Ιησους λεγων). Here only in the N.T. One example in a papyrus B.C. 161 (Moulton and Milligan, _Vocabulary_). The old idiomatic use of φθανω with the participle survives in this example of προφθανω in Matthew 17:25, meaning to anticipate, to get before... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SONS (ο υιο). Christ, of course, and the disciples also in contrast with the Jews. Thus a reply to Peter's prompt "Yes." Logically (αραγε) free from the temple tax, but practically not as he proceeds to show.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST WE CAUSE THEM TO STUMBLE (ινα μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους). He does not wish to create the impression that he and the disciples despise the temple and its worship. Aorist tense (punctiliar single act) here, though some MSS. have present subjunctive (linear). "A hook" (αγκιστρον). The only exampl... [ Continue Reading ]