_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:1. HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES.—A better reading is, “the twelve” (R.V.): the reading in the text is probably taken from the parallel passage in St. Matthew’s Gospel. POWER AND AUTHORITY.—_I.e._ ability and right: the one applies to the endowment with special gifts, the other to th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:7. HEROD THE TETRARCH.—Herod Antipas (a son of Herod the Great), who now ruled in Galilee: of frivolous and dissolute character, with a vein of superstition and cunning running through it. He was at Jerusalem when Christ suffered, and was one of His judges. ALL THAT WAS DONE... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:10. WENT ASIDE PRIVATELY.—The reason of this retirement is stated by St. Matthew (Matthew 14:13) to have been Christ’s hearing of the violent death of John the Baptist. It was a precautionary measure, rendered all the more necessary by Herod’s desire to see Jesus. St. Mark sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:18. IT CAME TO PASS.—This took place on the way to Cæsarea Philippi: this was a town in the valley of the upper Jordan near Paneas, which had been enlarged and fortified by the tetrarch Philip. PRAYING.—This circumstance is peculiar to St. Luke. THE PEOPLE.—Lit. “the multitu... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:28. ABOUT AN EIGHT DAYS.—_I.e._ including the day on which the words were spoken and the day on which they were fulfilled. St. Mark says “six days,” reckoning the intervening time. TOOK.—“Took with Him” is a better reading (R.V.). A MOUNTAIN.—Rather, “the mountain” (R.V.). I... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:37. MUCH PEOPLE.—Better, “a great multitude” (R.V.). Luke 9:38. A MAN OF THE COMPANY CRIED OUT.—Rather, “a man [came] from the multitude [and] cried” (R.V.). MASTER.—_I.e._ teacher. MINE ONLY CHILD.—Peculiar to St. Luke: he notes the same fact in the case of the widow’s son... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:46. A REASONING.—Rather, “a dispute.” Luke 9:47. PERCEIVING THE THOUGHT OF THEIR HEART.—The word “thought “is the same as that in Luke 9:46, translated “reasoning.” We are naturally led TO understand that the disputation was not carried on or fully spoken out in the presenc... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:51. WHEN THE TIME WAS COME.—Rather, “when the days were well-nigh come” (R.V.). THAT HE SHOULD BE RECEIVED UP.—The word translated “received up” means His assumption or ascension into heaven. HE STEDFASTLY SET HIS FACE.—A Hebraism, with reference probably to Isaiah 50:7. SEN... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:57. IN THE WAY.—Perhaps to the other village. It may be, however, that this is an indefinite form of expression, owing to the fact that St. Luke here departs from chronological order. St. Matthew distinctly states that these incidents occurred at an earlier time (Luke 8:19).... [ Continue Reading ]