Luke 18 - Introduction
CHAPTER 18. THE PARABLES OF THE UNJUST JUDGE AND THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 18. THE PARABLES OF THE UNJUST JUDGE AND THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.... [ Continue Reading ]
παραβολὴν : the story is a parable in so far as it teaches by an incident in natural life the power of perseverance with reference to the spiritual life. πρὸς, in reference to, indicating the subject or aim of the parable _de_ (so Kypke, with examples). πάντοτε : not continuously, but _persistently_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The unjust judge_, in Lk. only.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The parable_. τὸν Θεόν, etc.: a proverbial description for a thoroughly unprincipled man (examples from classics in Wetstein). ἐντρεπόμενος, having respect for, with accusative, as in late Greek; in earlier writers with genitive.... [ Continue Reading ]
χήρα, a widow, such a suppliant tests a man's character. Her weakness appeals to a generous, noble nature, and is taken advantage of by an ignoble. ἤρχετο, presumably used in a frequentative sense = _ventitabat_ (Grotius), though not necessarily meaning more than “began to come,” with possibility of... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπὶ χρόνον, for a considerable time. _Per multum tempus_ (Vulgate) may be too strong, but it is in the right direction. The scope of the parable and the use of the word χρόνος in a pregnant sense implying πολὺς (_vide_ examples in Kypke) demand a time sufficient to test the temper of the parties. ἐν... [ Continue Reading ]
διά γε, etc.: similar expression in Luke 11:8. The parable before us is a companion to that of the _Selfish Neighbour_. The two should be studied together _vide The Parabolic Teaching of Christ_. κόπον : the power of the petitioner in both parables lies in their ability and determination to disturb... [ Continue Reading ]
_The moral_. κριτὴς τ. ἀδικίας, _cf._ οἰκονόμον τ. ἀ., Luke 16:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
οὐ μὴ ποιήσῃ, etc., will not God avenge, etc., the question implying strongly that He will, but the emphasis is rendered necessary by appearances to the contrary, which strongly try men's faith in His good will long delays in answering prayer which wear the aspect of indifference. τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν α., H... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐν τάχει, quickly, quite compatible with delay; quickly when the hour comes = suddenly. πλὴν, yet; in spite of the alleged speed, the time will seem so long that, etc. ἆρα, so to be taken (not ἄρα), as bearing a major force of reasoning, and interrogative. The two words are one in essence, but ἆρα h... [ Continue Reading ]
πρός τινας, with reference to certain persons; _who_ not indicated, _of what sort_ definitely described. This introduction is doubtless an editorial heading extracted from the story. It is true, but not necessarily the whole truth. The story may have been spoken to publicans to encourage them to hop... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Pharisee and the publican_.... [ Continue Reading ]
σταθεὶς, having taken his stand; _fidenter loco solito_ (Bengel); “a sign less of confidence than of self-importance” (J. Weiss in Meyer). Probably both qualities are aimed at. πρὸς ἑαυτὸν : whether these words should be taken with σταθεὶς or with προσηύχετο is disputed. If the position of ταῦτα bef... [ Continue Reading ]
δὶς τ. σ., twice in the week: voluntary fasts on Mondays and Thursdays, ultra-legal in his zeal. ἀποδεκατ - ῶ (- εύω, W. and H [141]) = δεκατεύω in Greek writers: tithing a typical instance of Pharisaic strictness. πάντα, all, great and small, even garden herbs, again ultra-legal. κτῶμαι, all _I get... [ Continue Reading ]
ὁ τελώνης : the demeanour of the publican is drawn in vivid contrast to that of the Pharisee; he stands aloof, not in pride but in acute consciousness of demerit, does not dare to lift his eyes towards the object of prayer, beats upon his breast in pungent grief for sin. τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ, the sinner; he... [ Continue Reading ]
δεδικαιωμένος, justified (here only in Gospels), a Pauline word, but not necessarily used in a Pauline sense = pardoned. παρʼ ἐκεῖνον (ἢ ἐκεῖνος, T.R.), in comparison with that one (the Pharisee). The reading ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος ([143] [144]) would have to be taken as a question or was that one justified?... [ Continue Reading ]
_The little ones brought to Jesus_ (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16). τὰ βρέφη : for παιδία in parallels = infants, sucklings, often in Lk.'s writings; the καὶ preceding naturally means “even,” suggesting the notion of great popularity or great crowding, and perhaps hinting an apology for the Twelve... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME SYNOPTICAL INCIDENTS OF THE LATER TIME. Lk., who has for some time followed his own way, now joins the company of his brother evangelists. The section following is skilfully connected with what goes before, the link being the supreme value of _humility_.... [ Continue Reading ]
προσεκαλέσατο, called, speaking to those who carried the infants. Lk. omits the annoyance of Jesus at the conduct of the Twelve, noted by Mk. Decorum controls his presentation not only of Jesus but of the Twelve. He always spares them (Schanz). τῶν τοιούτων, of such; does this mean that children bel... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:17, as in Mark 10:15. With this reflection Lk. ends, his interest being mainly in the didactic element, humility the door into the kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἄρχων, a ruler; this definite statement in Lk. only. τί ποιήσας. instead of τί ποιήσω... [ Continue Reading ]
_The young ruler_ (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22). From a didactic point of view this narrative is closely connected with the two preceding. The three set forth conditions of entrance into the Kingdom of God self-abasement, childlikeness, and single-mindedness.... [ Continue Reading ]
μὴ μοιχεύσῃς : the Seventh Com., first in Lk., the Sixth in Mt. and Mk. (W. H [145]). Mk.'s μὴ ἀποστερήσῃς and Mt.'s ἀγαπήσεις τ. πλησίον σου, etc., are not found in Lk. [145] Westcott and Hort.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἕν σοι λείπει : ἕν σ. ὑστερεῖ : in Mk. λείπει = fails, so in Titus 3:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
πλούσιος σφόδρα, very rich. Lk.'s expression differs from that of Mt. and Mk. ((ἦν ἔχων κτήματα πολλά). Lk. follows Mk. in the most important points the words first spoken by the ruler to Jesus: _good_ Master, etc., and the reply of Jesus to him: why callest thou me good? but he agrees with Mt. in o... [ Continue Reading ]
εἰσπορεύονται : present, not future, as in parallels, indicating not what will happen but what is apt to happen from the nature of riches.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ensuing conversation_ (Matthew 19:23-30; Mark 10:23-31).... [ Continue Reading ]
τρήματος βελόνης : each evangelist has his own expression here. τρῆμα from τιτράω, τίτρημι (or τράω), to pierce, bore through; hence τρανής, penetrating, clear; βελόνη, the point of a spear.... [ Continue Reading ]
οἱ ἀκούσαντες, those hearing, a quite general reference to the company present. In Mt. and Mk. the words are addressed to the _disciples_. καὶ τίς δ. σ.: as in Mk., _vide_ notes there.... [ Continue Reading ]
τὰ ἀδύνατα, etc. Mk. and Mt. have first a particular then a general statement. Lk. gives the general truth only: the impossibles for men possible for God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Peter's remark about leaving all, as in Mk., without the question, what shall we have? appended to it in Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
γυναῖκα : as in Luke 14:26, not in parallels. γονεῖς : parents, for father and mother in parallels; the latter more impressive.... [ Continue Reading ]
πολλαπλασίονα, as in Mt. Mk. has the more definite ἑκατονταπλασίονα. The reading ἑπταπλασίονα (D, W.H [146], margin), though little supported, has intrinsic probability as toning down an apparent exaggeration (hundred fold! say seven fold). _Cf._ ἑπτάκις in Luke 17:4. [146] Westcott and Hort.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Third prediction of the Passion_ (Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34). _Vide_ notes on the account in Mk., which is exceptionally realistic.... [ Continue Reading ]
τελεσθήσεται, shall be fulfilled. With this verb is to be connected τῷ υἱῷ τ. ἀ. (not with γεγραμμένα). The sense is not “shall be fulfilled by the Son of Man”. So Bornemann (_Scholia_), “a dei filio perficientur, _i.e._, satisfiet prophetarum vaticiniis a dei filio”. Nor is it necessary to insert ἐ... [ Continue Reading ]
The details of the Passion are the same as in Mk., except that no mention is made of the Jewish rulers, and that other particulars are given in a somewhat different order.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is peculiar to Lk. A similar statement in Luke 9:45 with the same curious repetition. “An emphatic prolixity” is Meyer's comment. J. Weiss (Meyer) from the facts that this verse repeats Luke 9:45 and that Lk. avoids repetition infers that the words must have been in his source. I rather think t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The blind man at Jericho_ (Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52). τυφλός τις : the blind man is not named, from which J. Weiss (Meyer) infers that the name cannot have been in Lk.'s source. A very precarious inference. Lk. deviates from the tradition in the parallels as to the place of the incident: con... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀκούσας : in Lk. what he hears is the multitude passing through, which he would have seen if he had not been blind. In the parallels what is heard is that it was Jesus around whom the multitude had gathered, which even a seeing man might have had to learn by the ear. Lk. is careful to bring out the... [ Continue Reading ]
Ναζωραῖος : the usual form in Lk., an exception in Luke 4:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐβόησεν : aorist, he cried out once.... [ Continue Reading ]
οἱ προάγοντες, those in front, nearest him. He would hear the sound of the crowd before it came up to him; when it was close to him he would make inquiry τί εἴη. σιγήσῃ : only in Lk. and St. Paul, showing editorial overworking of the source. ἔκραζεν : a stronger word than ἐβόησεν and imperfect, kept... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀχθῆναι, to be _led_ to Him; Lk. again careful to bring out the fact of blindness, all the more noticeable when his narrative is compared with parallels. The omission of the interesting particulars in Mk., ver. 49, 50, has been remarked on (Hahn) as proving that Lk. did not know Mk. Again a precario... [ Continue Reading ]
κύριε : in Mk. Ῥαββονί.... [ Continue Reading ]
αἶνον, praise, a poetical word in Greek writers = (1) a saying, (2) a word of praise, frequent in Sept [147] διδόναι αἶνον, instead of αἰνεῖν, is Hellenistic. [147] Septuagint.... [ Continue Reading ]