Luke 6:11

ἀνοίας, ‘unreasonableness.’ The word occurs in the N. T. only in 2 Timothy 3:9. Plato (Tim. p. 86, 3) says that there are two kinds of ἄνοια, namely μανία and ἀμαθία, i.e. brutal and wilful ignorance. Here the word implies dementia, senselessness, the frenzy of obstinate prejudice. It admirably characterises the state of ignorant hatred which is disturbed in the fixed conviction of its own infallibility. (2 Timothy 3:9.) The two first miracles (Luke 4:35; Luke 4:39) had excited no opposition, because none of these religious spies and heresy-hunters (Luke 20:20) were present.

διελάλουν, ‘began to commune.’ This public miracle and public refutation clinched their hatred against Him (Matthew 12:14. Comp. John 11:53).

πρὸς�. St Mark adds that they conferred with the Herodians. This shews the extremity of their hate, for hitherto the Pharisees had regarded the Herodians as a half-apostate political party, more nearly allied to the Sadducees, and ready with them to sacrifice the true interests of their country and faith. St Matthew (Matthew 12:14) says that they actually “held a council against Him.”

τί ἂν ποιήσαιεν. The other reading ποιήσειαν (found in some MSS.)—the Aeolic aorist—implies extreme perplexity. It occurs only here in the N.T. and in Acts 17:27, ψηλαφήσειαν. For the ἂν with the indirect question comp. Luke 1:62; Luke 9:46. Here it implies that they weighed the possible steps; quid forte faciendum videretur. See Winer, p. 386.