IF THOU WILT (εαν θεληις). The leper knew that Jesus had the power to heal him. His doubt was about his willingness. "Men more easily believe in miraculous power than in miraculous love" (Bruce). This is a condition of the third class (undetermined, but with prospect of being determined), a hopef... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO HIM (αυτω). Dative in spite of the genitive absolute εισελθοντος αυτου as in verse Matthew 8:1, a not infrequent Greek idiom, especially in the _koine_.... [ Continue Reading ]
GRIEVOUSLY TORMENTED (δεινως βασανιζομενος). Participle present passive from root βασανος (see on Matthew 4:24). The boy (παις), slave (δουλος, Luke 7:2), was a bedridden (βεβλητα, perfect passive indicative of βαλλω) paralytic.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL COME AND HEAL HIM (εγω ελθων θεραπευσω αυτον). Future indicative, not deliberative subjunctive in question (McNeile). The word here for heal (θεραπευσω) means first to serve, give medical attention, then cure, restore to health. The centurion uses the more definite word for healing (ιαθησετ... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I ALSO AM A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY (κα γαρ εγω ανθρωπος υπο εξουσιαν). "Also" is in the text, though the κα here may mean "even," even I in my subordinate position have soldiers under me. As a military man he had learned obedience to his superiors and so expected obedience to his commands, insta... [ Continue Reading ]
SO GREAT FAITH (τοσαυτην πιστιν). In a Roman centurion and greater than in any of the Jews. In like manner Jesus marvelled at the great faith of the Canaanitish woman (Matthew 15:28).... [ Continue Reading ]
SIT DOWN (ανακλιθησοντα). Recline at table on couches as Jews and Romans did. Hence Leonardo da Vinci's famous picture of the Last Supper is an anachronism with all seated at table in modern style.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SONS OF THE KINGDOM (ο υιο της βασιλειας). A favourite Hebrew idiom like "son of hell" (Matthew 23:15), "sons of this age" (Luke 16:8). The Jews felt that they had a natural right to the privileges of the kingdom because of descent from Abraham (Matthew 3:9). But mere natural birth did not br... [ Continue Reading ]
LYING SICK OF A FEVER (βιβλημενην κα πυρεσσουσαν). Two participles, bedridden (perfect passive of βαλλω) and burning with fever (present active). How long the fever had had her we have no means of knowing, possibly a sudden and severe attack (Mark 1:30), as they tell Jesus about her on reaching t... [ Continue Reading ]
TOUCHED HER HAND (ηψατο της χειρος αυτης). In loving sympathy as the Great Physician and like any good doctor today. MINISTERED (διηκονε). "Began to minister" (conative imperfect) at once to Jesus at table in gratitude and love.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN EVEN WAS COME (οψιας γενομενης). Genitive absolute. A beautiful sunset scene at the close of the Sabbath day (Mark 1:21). Then the crowds came as Jesus stood in the door of Peter's house (Mark 1:33; Matthew 8:14) as all the city gathered there with the sick, "all those who had it bad" (see o... [ Continue Reading ]
HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND BARE OUR DISEASES (αυτος τας ασθενειας ελαβεν κα τας νοσους εβαστασεν). A quotation from Isaiah 53:4. It is not clear in what sense Matthew applies the words in Isaiah whether in the precise sense of the Hebrew or in an independent manner. Moffatt translates it: "H... [ Continue Reading ]
A SCRIBE (εις γραμματευς). One (εις)="a," indefinite article. Already a disciple as shown by "another of the disciples" (ετερος των μαθητων) in Matthew 8:21. He calls Jesus "Teacher" (διδασκαλε), but he seems to be a "bumptious" brother full of self-confidence and self-complacency. "Even one of t... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLES (φωλεους). A lurking hole, burrow.NESTS (κατασκηνωσεις). "Roosts, i.e. leafy, σκηνα for settling at night (_tabernacula, habitacula_), not nests" (McNeile). In the Septuagint it is used of God tabernacling in the Sanctuary. The verb (κατασκηνοω) is there used of birds (Psalms 103:12). THE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BURY MY FATHER (κα θαψα τον πατερα μου). The first man was an enthusiast. This one is overcautious. It is by no means certain that the father was dead. Tobit urged his son Tobias to be sure to bury him: "Son, when I am dead, bury me" (Tobit 4:3). The probability is that this disciple means th... [ Continue Reading ]
LEAVE THE DEAD TO BURY THEIR OWN DEAD (αφες τους νεκρους θαψα τους εαυτων νεκρους). The spiritually dead are always on hand to bury the physically dead, if one's real duty is with Jesus. Chrysostom says that, while it is a good deed to bury the dead, it is a better one to preach Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE WAS ASLEEP (αυτος δε εκαθευδεν). Imperfect, was sleeping. Picturesque scene. The Sea of Galilee is 680 feet below the Mediterranean Sea. These sudden squalls come down from the summit of Hermon with terrific force (σεισμος μεγας) like an earthquake. Mark (Mark 4:37) and Luke (Luke 8:23) te... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE, LORD; WE PERISH (Κυριε, σωσον, απολλυμεθα). More exactly, "Lord, save us at once (aorist), we are perishing (present linear).... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN THE WINDS AND THE SEA OBEY HIM (Κα ο ανημο κα η θαλασσα αυτω υπακουουσιν). A nature miracle. Even a sudden drop in the wind would not at once calm the sea. "J. Weiss explains that by 'an astonishing coincidence' the storm happened to lull at the moment that Jesus spoke!" (McNeile). Some mind... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COUNTRY OF THE GADARENES (τεν χωραν των Γαδαρηνων). This is the correct text in Matthew while in Mark 5:1 and Luke 8:26 it is "the country of the Gerasenes." Dr. Thomson discovered by the lake the ruins of Khersa (Gerasa). This village is in the district of the city of Gadara some miles south... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SON OF GOD (υιε του θεου). The recognition of Jesus by the demons is surprising. The whole subject of demonology is difficult. Some hold that it is merely the ancient way of describing disease. But that does not explain the situation here. Jesus is represented as treating the demons as real e... [ Continue Reading ]
RUSHED DOWN THE STEEP (ωρμησεν κατα του κρημνου). Down from the cliff (ablative case) into the sea. Constative aorist tense. The influence of mind on matter is now understood better than formerly, but we have the mastery of the mind of the Master on the minds of the maniacs, the power of Christ o... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE WOULD DEPART (οπως μεταβη). The whole city was excited over the destruction of the hogs and begged Jesus to leave, forgetful of the healing of the demoniacs in their concern over the loss of property. They cared more for hogs than for human souls, as often happens today.... [ Continue Reading ]