COMETH (γινετα). Futuristic use of the present middle indicative. This was probably our Tuesday evening (beginning of Jewish Wednesday). The passover began on our Thursday evening (beginning of Jewish Friday).AFTER TWO DAYS (μετα δυο ημερας) is just the familiar popular mode of speech. The pass... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WERE GATHERED TOGETHER THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND ELDERS OF THE PEOPLE (Τοτε συνηχθησαν ο αρχιερεις κα ο πρεσβυτερο του λαου). A meeting of the Sanhedrin as these two groups indicate (cf. Matthew 21:23).UNTO THE COURT (εις την αυλην). The _atrium_ or court around which the palace buildings were... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY TOOK COUNSEL TOGETHER (συνεβουλευσαντο). Aorist middle indicative, indicating their puzzled state of mind. They have had no trouble in finding Jesus (John 11:57). Their problem now is how toTAKE JESUS BY SUBTILTY AND KILL HIM (ινα τον Ιησουν δολω κρατησοσιν κα αποκτεινωσιν). The Triumphal... [ Continue Reading ]
A TUMULT (θορυβος). They feared the uprising in behalf of Jesus and were arguing that the matter must be postponed till after the feast was over when the crowds had scattered. Then they could catch him "by craft" (δολω) as they would trap a wild beast.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE LEPER (εν οικια Σιμωνος του λεπρου). Evidently a man who had been healed of his leprosy by Jesus who gave the feast in honour of Jesus. All sorts of fantastic theories have arisen about it. Some even identify this Simon with the one in Luke 7:36, but Simon was a very comm... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ALABASTER CRUSE OF EXCEEDING PRECIOUS OINTMENT (αλαβαστρον μυρου βαρυτιμου). The flask was of alabaster, a carbonate of lime or sulphate of lime, white or yellow stone, named alabaster from the town in Egypt where it was chiefly found. It was used for a phial employed for precious ointments in... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS WASTE (η απωλεια αυτη). Dead loss (απωλεια) they considered it, nothing but sentimental aroma. It was a cruel shock to Mary of Bethany to hear this comment. Matthew does not tell as John does (John 12:4) that it was Judas who made the point which the rest endorsed. Mark explains that they me... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY TROUBLE YE THE WOMAN? (τ κοπους παρεχετε τη γυναικι?) A phrase not common in Greek writers, though two examples occur in the papyri for giving trouble. Κοπος is from κοπτω, to beat, smite, cut. It is a beating, trouble, and often work, toil. Jesus champions Mary's act with this striking phras... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PREPARE ME FOR BURIAL (προς το ενταφιασα με). Mary alone had understood what Jesus had repeatedly said about his approaching death. The disciples were so wrapped up in their own notions of a political kingdom that they failed utterly to sympathize with Jesus as he faced the cross. But Mary wit... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT ARE YE WILLING TO GIVE ME? (τ θελετε μο δουναι?) This "brings out the _chaffering_ aspect of the transaction" (Vincent). "Mary and Judas extreme opposites: she freely spending in love, he willing to sell his Master for money" (Bruce). And her act of love provoked Judas to his despicable deed... [ Continue Reading ]
SOUGHT OPPORTUNITY (εζητε ευκαριαν). A good chance. Note imperfect tense. Judas went at his business and stuck to it.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EAT THE PASSOVER (φαγειν το πασχα). There were two feasts rolled into one, the passover feast and the feast of unleavened bread. Either name was employed. Here the passover meal is meant, though in John 18:28 it is probable that the passover feast is referred to as the passover meal (the last s... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SUCH A MAN (προς τον δεινα). The only instance in the N.T. of this old Attic idiom. The papyri show it for "Mr. X" and the modern Greek keeps it. Jesus may have indicated the man's name. Mark (Mark 14:13) and Luke (Luke 22:10) describe him as a man bearing a pitcher of water. It may have been... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS SITTING AT MEAT (ανεκειτο). He was reclining, lying back on the left side on the couch with the right hand free. Jesus and the Twelve all reclined. The paschal lamb had to be eaten up entirely (Exodus 12:4; Exodus 12:43).... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF YOU (εις εξ υμων). This was a bolt from the blue for all except Judas and he was startled to know that Jesus understood his treacherous bargain.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS IT I, LORD? (μητ εγω ειμι, Κυριε;). The negative expects the answer No and was natural for all save Judas. But he had to bluff it out by the same form of question (verse Matthew 26:25). The answer of Jesus,THOU HAST SAID (συ ειπας), means Yes.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT DIPPED (ο εμβαψας). They all dipped their hands, having no knives, forks, or spoons. The aorist participle with the article simply means that the betrayer is the one who dips his hand in the dish (εν τω τρυβλιω) or platter with the broth of nuts and raisins and figs into which the bread w... [ Continue Reading ]
GOOD WERE IT FOR THAT MAN (καλον ην αυτω). Conclusion of second-class condition even though αν is not expressed. It is not needed with verbs of obligation and necessity. There are some today who seek to palliate the crime of Judas. But Jesus here pronounces his terrible doom. And Judas heard it a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BLESSED AND BRAKE IT (ευλογησας εκλασεν). Special "Grace" in the middle of the passover meal, "as they were eating," for the institution of the Supper. Jesus broke one of the passover wafers or cakes that each might have a piece, not as a symbol of the breaking of his body as the Textus Recep... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COVENANT (της διαθηκης). The adjective καινης in Textus Receptus is not genuine. The covenant is an agreement or contract between two (δια, δυο, θηκε, from τιθημ). It is used also for will (Latin, _testamentum_) which becomes operative at death (Hebrews 9:15-17). Hence our _New Testament_. Eit... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I DRINK IT NEW WITH YOU (οταν αυτο πινω μεθ' υμων καιμον). This language rather implies that Jesus himself partook of the bread and the wine, though it is not distinctly stated. In the Messianic banquet it is not necessary to suppose that Jesus means the language literally, "the fruit of the... [ Continue Reading ]
SANG A HYMN (υμνησαντες). The _Hallel_, part of Matthew 26:115-118. But apparently they did not go out at once to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus tarried with them in the Upper Room for the wonderful discourse and prayer in Matthew 26:14-17. They may have gone out to the street after John 14:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NEVER BE OFFENDED (εγω ουδεποτε σκανδαλισθησομα). "Made to stumble," not "offended." Volitive future passive indicative. Peter ignored the prophecy of the resurrection of Jesus and the promised meeting in Galilee (Matthew 26:32). The quotation from Zechariah 13:7 made no impression on him.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN IF I MUST DIE WITH THEE (κ ν δεη με συν σο αποθανειν). Third-class condition. A noble speech and meant well. His boast of loyalty is made still stronger by ου μη σε απαρνησομα. The other disciples were undoubtedly embarrassed by Peter's boast and lightheartedly joined in the same profession... [ Continue Reading ]
GETHSEMANE (Γεθσημανε). The word means oil-press in the Hebrew, or olive vat. The place (χωριον) was an enclosed plot or estate, "garden," or orchard (κηπος). It is called _villa_ in the Vulgate according to John 18:1. It was beyond the torrent Kedron at the foot of the Mount of Olives about thre... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TOOK WITH HIM (παραλαβων). Taking along, by his side (παρα-), as a mark of special favour and privilege, instead of leaving this inner circle of three (Peter, James, and John) with the other eight. The eight would serve as a sort of outer guard to watch by the gate of the garden for the coming... [ Continue Reading ]
WATCH WITH ME (γρηγορειτε μετ' εμου). This late present from the perfect εγρηγορα means to keep awake and not go to sleep. The hour was late and the strain had been severe, but Jesus pleaded for a bit of human sympathy as he wrestled with his Father. It did not seem too much to ask. He had put hi... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WENT FORWARD A LITTLE (προελθων μικρον). As if he could not fight the battle in their immediate presence. He was on his face, not on his knees (McNeile).THIS CUP (το ποτηριον τουτο). The figure can mean only the approaching death. Jesus had used it of his coming death when James and John cam... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT (ουτως). The Greek adverb is not interrogation or exclamatory τ, but only "so" or "thus." There is a tone of sad disappointment at the discovery that they were asleep after the earnest plea that they keep awake (verse Matthew 26:38). "Did you not thus have strength enough to keep awake one h... [ Continue Reading ]
WATCH AND PRAY (γρηγορειτε κα προσευχεσθε). Jesus repeats the command of verse Matthew 26:38 with the addition of prayer and with the warning against the peril of temptation. He himself was feeling the worst of all temptations of his earthly life just then. He did not wish then to enter such temp... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEIR EYES WERE HEAVY (ησαν γαρ αυτων ο οφθαλμο βεβαρημενο). Past perfect passive indicative periphrastic. Their eyes had been weighted down with sleep and still were as they had been on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:32).... [ Continue Reading ]
SLEEP ON NOW AND TAKE YOUR REST (καθευδετε λοιπον κα αναπαυεσθε). This makes it "mournful irony" (Plummer) or reproachful concession: "Ye may sleep and rest indefinitely so far as I am concerned; I need no longer your watchful interest" (Bruce). It may be a sad query as Goodspeed: "Are you still... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS AT HAND (ηγγικεν). The same verb and tense used of the hour above, present perfect active of εγγιζω, to draw near, the very form used by John the Baptist of the coming of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:2). Whether Jesus heard the approach of the betrayer with the crowd around him or saw t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE HE YET SPAKE (ετ αυτου λαλουντος). It was an electric moment as Jesus faced Judas with his horde of helpers as if he turned to meet an army.LET US GO (αγωμεν), Jesus had said. And here he is. The eight at the gate seemed to have given no notice. Judas is described here as "one of the twel... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE THEM A SIGN (εδωκεν αυτοις σημειον). Probably just before he reached the place, though Mark (Mark 14:44) has "had given" (δεδωκε) which certainly means before arrival at Gethsemane. At any rate Judas had given the leaders to understand that he would kiss (φιλησω) Jesus in order to identify hi... [ Continue Reading ]
DO THAT FOR WHICH THOU ART COME (εφ' ο παρε). Moffatt and Goodspeed take it: "Do your errand." There has been a deal of trouble over this phrase. Deissmann (_Light from the Ancient East_, pp. 125 to 131) has proven conclusively that it is a question, εφ' ο in late Greek having the interrogative s... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF THEM THAT WERE WITH JESUS (εις των μετα Ιησου). Like the other Synoptics Matthew conceals the name of Peter, probably for prudential reasons as he was still living before A.D. 68. John writing at the end of the century mentions Peter's name (John 18:10). The sword or knife was one of the t... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT UP AGAIN THY SWORD (αποστρεψον την μαχαιραν σου). Turn back thy sword into its place. It was a stern rebuke for Peter who had misunderstood the teaching of Jesus in Luke 22:38 as well as in Matthew 5:39 (cf. John 18:36). The reason given by Jesus has had innumerable illustrations in human his... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN NOW (αρτ). Just now, at this very moment.LEGIONS (λεγιωνας). A Latin word. Roman soldiers in large numbers were in Palestine later in A.D. 66, but they were in Caesarea and in the tower of Antonia in Jerusalem. A full Roman legion had 6,100 foot and 726 horse in the time of Augustus. But J... [ Continue Reading ]
MUST BE (δε). Jesus sees clearly his destiny now that he has won the victory in Gethsemane.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS AGAINST A ROBBER (ως επ ληιστην). As a robber, not as a thief, but a robber hiding from justice. He will be crucified between two robbers and on the very cross planned for their leader, Barabbas. They have come with no warrant for any crime, but with an armed force to seize Jesus as if a highw... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SEE THE END (ιδειν το τελος). Peter rallied from the panic and followed afar off (μακροθεν), "more courageous than the rest and yet not courageous enough" (Bruce). John the Beloved Disciple went on into the room where Jesus was. The rest remained outside, but Peter "sat with the officers" to s... [ Continue Reading ]
SOUGHT FALSE WITNESS AGAINST JESUS (εζητουν ψευδομαρτυριαν). Imperfect tense, kept on seeking. Judges have no right to be prosecutors and least of all to seek after false witness and even to offer bribes to get it.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY FOUND IT NOT (κα ουχ ευρον). They found false witnesses in plenty, but not the false witness that would stand any sort of test.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM ABLE TO DESTROY THE TEMPLE OF GOD (δυναμα καταλυσα τον ναον του θεου). What he had said (John 2:19) referred to the temple of his body which they were to destroy (and did) and which he would raise again in three days as he did. It was a pitiful perversion of what Jesus had said and even so t... [ Continue Reading ]
HELD HIS PEACE (εσιωπα). Kept silent, imperfect tense. Jesus refused to answer the bluster of Caiaphas.I ADJURE THEE BY THE LIVING GOD (εξορκιζω σε κατα του θεου του ζωντος). So Caiaphas put Jesus on oath in order to make him incriminate himself, a thing unlawful in Jewish jurisprudence. He had... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST SAID (συ ειπας). This is a Greek affirmative reply. Mark (Mark 14:62) has it plainly, "I am" (ειμ). But this is not all that Jesus said to Caiaphas. He claims that the day will come when Jesus will be the Judge and Caiaphas the culprit using the prophetic language in Daniel 7:13 and Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH SPOKEN BLASPHEMY (εβλασφημησεν). There was no need of witnesses now, for Jesus had incriminated himself by claiming under oath to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Now it would not be blasphemy for the real Messiah to make such a claim, but it was intolerable to admit that Jesus could be th... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS WORTHY OF DEATH (ενοχος θανατου εστιν). Held in the bonds of death (εν, εχω) as actually guilty with the genitive (θανατου). The dative expresses liability as in Matthew 5:21 (τη κρισε) and as εις and the accusative (Matthew 5:22). They took the vote though it was at night and they no longer... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU CHRIST (Χριστε). With definite sneer at his claims under oath in Matthew 26:63. With uncontrolled glee and abandon like a lot of hoodlums these doctors of divinity insulted Jesus. They actually spat in his face, buffeted him on the neck (εκολαφισαν, from κολαφος the fist), and struck him in... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ALSO (κα συ). Peter had gone within (εσω) the palace (Matthew 26:58), but was sittingWITHOUT (εξω) the hall where the trial was going on in the open central court with the servants or officers (υπηρετων, under rowers, literally, Matthew 26:58) of the Sanhedrin. But he could possibly see thr... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW NOT WHAT THOU SAYEST (ουκ οιδα τ λεγεις). It was an affectation of extreme ignorance (Bruce) that deceived no one. It was an easy and ancient dodge and easy subterfuge. Dalman (_Words of Jesus_, 80f.) suggests that Peter used the Galilean Aramaean word for know instead of the Judean Aramae... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE PORCH (εις τον πυλωνα). But Peter was not safe out here, for another maid recognized him and spoke of him as "this fellow" (ουτος) with a gesture to those out there.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH AN OATH (μετα ορκου). This time Peter added an oath, probably a former habit so common to the Jews at that time, and denied acquaintance with Jesus. He even refers to Jesus as "the man" (τον ανθρωπον), an expression that could convey contempt, "the fellow.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT STOOD BY (ο εστωτες). The talk about Peter continued. Luke (Luke 22:59) states that the little while was about an hour. The bystanders came up to Peter and bluntly assert that he was "of a truth" (αληθως) one of the followers of Jesus for his speech betrayed him. Even the Revised Versio... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN BEGAN HE TO CURSE AND TO SWEAR (τοτε ηρξατο καταθεματιζειν κα ομνυειν). He repeated his denial with the addition of profanity to prove that he was telling the truth instead of the lie that they all knew. His repeated denials gave him away still more, for he could not pronounce the Judean gut... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER REMEMBERED (εμνησθη ο Πετρος). A small thing, but _magna circumstantia_ (Bengel). In a flash of lightning rapidity he recalled the words of Jesus a few hours before (Matthew 26:34) which he had then scouted with the proud boast that "even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee" ... [ Continue Reading ]