Luke 22:31

Σίμων, Σίμων : one can imagine, though not easily describe, how this was said with much affection and just enough of distress in the tone to make it solemn. ὁ Σατανᾶς. The reference to Satan naturally reminds us of the trial of Job, and most commentators assume that the case of Job is in the view of Jesus or the evangelist. The coming fall of Peter could not be set in a more advantageous light than by being paralleled with the experience of the famous man of Uz, with a good record behind him and fame before him, the two connected by a dark but profitable time of trial. ἐξῃτήσατο, not merely “desired to have” (A.V [188]) but, obtained by asking (R.V [189], margin). Careful Greek writers used ἐξαιτεῖν = to demand for punishment, and ἐξαιτεῖσθαι = to beg off, deprecari. Later writers somewhat disregarded this distinction. The aorist implies success in the demand. It is an instance of the “Resultative Aorist” (vide on this and other senses of the aorist, Burton, M. and T., § 35). Field (Ot. Nor.) cites from Wetstein instances of such use and renders ἐξητ. ὑ. periphrastically “Satan hath procured you to be given up to him”. ὑμᾶς, you, the whole of you (though not emphatic); therefore, Simon, look to yourself, and to the whole brotherhood of which you are the leading man. Bengel remarks: “Totus sane hie sermo Domini praesup ponit P. esse primum apostolorum, quo stante aut cadente ceteri aut minus aut magis periclitaientur”. σινιάσαι : a ἅπ. λεγ., but of certain meaning. Hesychius gives as equivalent κοσκινεῦσαι, from κόσκινον, a sieve. Euthy. Zig. is copious in synonyms = θορυβῆσαι, κυκῆσαι, ταράξαι. He adds, “what we call κόσκινον is by some called σινίον,” and he thus describes the function of the sieve: ἐν ᾦ ὁ σῖτος τῇδε κᾀκεῖσε μεταφερόμενος ταράσσεται. Sifting points to the result of the process anticipated by Jesus. Satan aimed at ruin.

[188] Authorised Version.

[189] Revised Version.