— Oe rr Ποὺ ag NN yg TT I TE Se ee τ σπὸο τ σαι τὰῖὴνν ag eee aa a ee En tel a ae RIN OOO LL LOL AL ALLEL LEE IE LON EE Oe SS ee ee tee we ews wen wren oo ee
— ~~ eww vo Ne ee ee et re re .-..ο..----...- ee “τ... --τὉ--.-- - ert eerste τ
ewe ese ieee
A wn een ew ere
΄- wwe we eee ON et er err ewe ee we Veen s CO “Ὁ
EES Ee ee SO OD SSO ODED EOL I 4.2... Oe -
-. “Ὁ ὦ 8 ee ee
eee ee me «Κ.......
a eS Oe ee OE Ge eS ES ον Oe mand eee www eres we we —~eeow ee “.......-....
ΠῚ ᾿
~ eens
᾿ +? +?) . bith ὗ : St i sf ὁ : roe eT eth: ilar
’
ἯΠ H
a re -
ΕἾ ΠῚ ᾿
{ ΜΠῊ
ῃ ὙΦ. ish: ; Hiss tf ΠΗ ΠῚ }}] ὶ {ΠΗ} ΠῚ ΓΗ ὁ
. 4 υς "5. es eek κα, Ὁ — ae 2 ome Se ΝΣ αὐ» ὡσ.ὦ »-- . «ὧν ὦ πε συν συνε νυν σαν νυν ΤΡ, ἜΣ ΣΝ eS be Se ee ae See,
OF PR νυν § 1975
δα sere
: δὴ
eh rh REY
Δ ὧδ eat)
ων
Ἐπ δεν κε ς-
ΕΖ
j
Gah: Me FN
OF
THE NEW TESTAMENT
BY
JOHN ALBERT BENGHL.
WITH
ORIGINAL NOTHS EXPLANATORY AND ILLUSTRATIVE.
REVISED AND EDITED BY
REV, ANDREW ΚΒ. FAUSSET, M.A,
OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.
VOL. If
TO GIVE SUBTILTY TO THE SIMPLE, TO THE YOUNG MAN KNOWLEDGE AND DIS- CRETION. A WISE MAN WILL HEAR, AND WILL INCREASE LEARNING; AND A MAN OP UNDERSTANDING SHALL ATTAIN UNTO WISE COUNSELS.”—PROV. 1. 4, 5.
EDINBURGH: T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET.
MDCCCLXXIII,
PRINTED BY MURRAY AND GIDB
FOR
T & T. CLARK, EDINBURGH.
LONDON, . . + « HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. DUBLIN, . . + . JOHN ROBERTSON AND CO.
NEW YORK, . . . C. SCRIBNER AND CO.
a a ΩΝ ΗΝ δ᾽ 1975
GENO MON ως, sewn’
OF
THE NEW TESTAMENT
BY
4
JOHN ALBERT BENGEL.
ACCORDING TO THE EDITION ORIGINALLY BROUGHT OUT BY HIS 50N,
M. ERNEST BENGEL;
AND SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETED BY
J.C F. STEUDEL.
WITH CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS FROM THE ED. SECUNDA OF 1759
VOLUME II.
CONTAINING THE COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPELS ACCORDING TO ST LUKE AND ST JOHN AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES,
TRANSLATED BY
REY. ANDREW R. FAUSSET.
SEVENTH EDITION
EDINBURGH: T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET.
MDCCCLXXIII,
‘ ΜΡ δ ᾿ ᾿ ; BAO ἃ ΤΙ LA A ; ‘ : Swarr BeAr 9 ’ τ ἬΜΗΝ = eo a ἡ , Ν : . ᾿ ν, = τὴ " ‘ ‘ 2 Aa: a τ. Ἱ ‘ c , rip ν εἰ ,
5 inthe 4 ᾿ > 3 ΓῪ ee at a4 ae UBT A" ΑΝ : fi ΟΝ roy “τσὶ ὶ rs iin er a, “Fa ν 4 s Ss v ie 4 Male ‘) ἃ Si ee ee < 3 eas : Pat. BS 2 Me. ὧν { i ; ‘> ᾿
ας πα ποτ O88) ADIOS Pe
ΟΣ a Ms ’ Sean ee aya
ON THE
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE.
CHAPTER IL
1. ᾿Επειδήπερ, Forasmuch as) A brief dedication applying to both the works of Luke : it may be also termed the Preface or Introduc- tion, and from it there shine forth pre-eminently gravity, simplicity, and candour.—oAroi ἐπεχείρησαν, many have taken in hand) Luke does not hereby denote Matthew and John, who had been among the
1 The names Lucius and Lucas are the same; except that the former, being a diminutive of the latter, has somewhat of a more familiar sound. Mention is made as early as in Acts xiii. 1 of a Lucius of Cyrene among the prophets and teachers. of the Church, which at that time flourished at Antioch ; and there- fore it must have been but a short time after the death which befel Herod (ch. xii. 23), A. Dion. Era, 44. It is owing to this, I am inclined to think, that Euse- bius and others have considered Antioch as the native place of Luke. Further- more, Paul makes mention of a certain Zucius among his ‘kinsmen,’ Rom. xvi. 21, and calls Luke [Lucas] his fellow-workman and the beloved Physician, Philem. ver. 24; Col. iv. 14. Now, whether he be only Luke [Lucas], or also Lucius, he is the very person who wrote the Acts of the Apostles, having accom- panied Paul himself from the Troad, first to Philippi (Acts xvi. 10), next from Philippi to Troas, nay, even as far as to Rome (ch. xx. 6, xxviii. 16 ; 2 Tim. iv. 11): and it is owing to this that he most frequently uses the first person plural in his narrative. Moreover the lively [vigorous] style of Luke, which is particu- larly appropriate to the very joyful subject of the Acts, comprising, as they do, in their history the completion [carrying into effect] of the New Testament, seems to have derived some of its characteristics from the association of many years, which Luke maintained [enjoyed] with Paul.—Harm., pp. 35, 36. Lucas seems to me to be the contraction of Lucanus, as Silas from Silvanus, and to be altogether a distinct name from Lucius Eb. and Trans.
VOL. Ii. A
2 ST LUKE I. 2.
very eye-witnesses of the facts and ministers of the word; not to say that Luke both wrote before John, and does not seem to have seen the Gospel of Matthew. There remains the one evangelist Mark — alone; but Luke speaks of many, and employs the word ἐπεχείρησαν, have taken in hand, in a middle sense [1.6. neither expressing dispa- ragement nor praise]; and consonant with this is the particle καθὼς, even as, which implies a consonance with the relation [report] of the eye-witnesses and ministers either sought after or attained by the writers alluded to: also the expression κἀμοὶ), to me also, agrees with the same view; for by it Luke does not so much oppose himself to those many writers, but rather adds himself to their number, as one of the same class, in such a manner, however, as that he may contri- bute somewhat even still to the ἀσφάλεια and firm assurance of Theophilus. He therefore intimates, if only he has had reference [not merely to others, but] also to Mark [which indeed, if you com- pare together the forms of expression and the order of narratives in each, as not very unlikely—Harm., p. 36], that several particulars, not mentioned in Mark, are ready to his hand for recording; but that the other writers, as, for instance, he who wrote the Gospel according to the Egyptians, are less calculated to serve towards producing ἀσφά- Aga and firm assurance.—dvardéZuctus, to set forth in order) in writ- ing or instructive [catechetico, referring to χατηχήθης, ver. 4] words. Hesychius SAYS, ἀνατάξασθωι, εὐτρεπίσασθαι.----τὧν πεπληροφορημένων) πλη- ροφορία, when it is attributed to a man, denotes the fulness of know- ledge in the understanding, or of eager desire in the will: 2 Tim. iv. 17; Heb. vi. 11, note. Such vigour characterized τὰ πράγματα, the Christian facts, which Luke describes in both his works, whilst they were occurring [were being accomplished]: and these alone had this characteristic; for which reason this periphrasis whereby he designates the same facts is quite sufficient. It was in the sight of the world that the Gospel facts occurred : Acts xxvi. 26.—év jis, among us) in the Church, but especially among the teachers, and these veterans.
2. Tlapédoouy ἡμῖν, they have delivered to us) to me, and to the other companions of the apostles.—da ἀρχῆς, from the beginning) It was not from Paul alone, who was converted after the beginning, that Luke received his information.—airérra: καὶ ὑπηρέται) T hey them- selves saw [ αὐτὸς ὕπτεσθαι being the components of αὐτόπτης], and, what is more, ministered. So also Paul was a minister and witness : Acts xxvi. 16; so also the mother of our Lord herself, Mary : Acts i. 14, There were many such witnesses, advanced in years, and so
ST LUKE 1. 3. δ
of the highest authority [for instance, the twelve apostles, the seventy disciples, Mary Magdalene, and several more.—Y. g.|: 1 Cor. xv. 6; Rom. xvi. 7. It was such as these themselves, and the companions of such, who wrote the books of the New Testament. No room was left for doubting.—roi λόγου, of the word) Acts x. 36. This one ‘word’ embraces many ‘ words,’ ver. 4 [ὧν κατηχήθης λόγων : subjects of instruction].
3. "Εδοξε κἀμοὶ, it seemed good to me also) A holy inclination, worthy of an evangelical τη8}.--- παρηκολουθηκότι, having traced up [followed up: Engl. Vers. having had perfect understanding]) A choice and happy word : it is said of him who has been all but pre- sent himself at all the events, and who has learned them from those who were actually present; for instance, Paul uses it of Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 10 [παρηκολοὐύθηκάς μου διδασκολίᾳῳ, thou hast fully known my doctrine], as being one whom Paul brought about with him pre- sently after the persecutions, which he endured at Antioch, etc. The antithetic term is ἀπολέλειμμαι, the thing has escaped me, I do not comprehend it. Thus the cause is implied, why Luke regarded it as a fixed thing that he both could and ought to write. He is the person who in Acts xiii. 1, or at least in Acts xvi. 10, was already discharging an evangelical function.—dwd, from above [tracing upwards}) 1.6. “ from the beginning,” ver. 2, 5. [He intimates by this term, that he meant to supply those particulars which Mark has omitted. —Harm., p. 37.] Scripture hands down to us the first commence- ments [origines] of things, even those of the Gospel and of the Church.—séow) τοῖς πράγμασιν. All these matters had been followed up by Luke accurately [ἀκριβῶς .--- καθεξῆς, deinceps, successively, subsequently ; [in order) ἐξῆς, afterwards ; καθεξῆς, successively (‘dein- ceps’), subsequently. As Luke had followed up [ascertained] all things, it was the newt thing [καθεξῆς] to follow, that he should de- scribe them. And indeed this Preface savours of fresh [recent] joy, such as would be felt at the coming to the knowledge of [joyful] facts. Moreover he describes in order (for καθεξῆς has this force also), first, the Acts of Christ, His Conception, Nativity, boyhood, Baptism, gracious deeds done by Him, preaching, Passion, Resurrection, As- cension: then next the Acts of the apostles. Yet this very fact [viz. his narrating these events in order] does not prevent his at times joining together some events which were separated from one another in point of their respective times: ch. i. 80, iii. 20, ete.— κράτιστε Θεόφιλε, most excellent Theophilus) This Theophilus belonged - to Alexandria, as the ancients testify (see Ord. Temp., p. 225), Ed.
4 ST LUKE I. 4, 5.
il., Ὁ. 196, and Harm. Ev. Ed. ii., p. 80; and that was a city in which especially flourished χατήχησις, ver. 4. He was a most noble man, as the title given him by Luke shows: comp. Acts xxiii. 26, xxiv. ὃ, xxvl. 25. The same title is not given to the same Theophilus in Acts i. 1, either because he was then in private life, or because his excellence and Luke’s intimacy with him had increased. More- over this title of respect serves as an argument, that the Gospel his- tory is a true one, and allowed itself from the very beginning to be offered for acceptance to the most distinguished personages. The holy examples of illustrious men, described in these books, were cal- culated to stimulate Theophilus to imitate them.
4, "Iva, that) Expressing the scope of the whole work, [which in John is stated at the close of his Gospel, ch. xxi. 24.—Harm., p. 34. ] -ἐπιγνῷς, thou mightest clearly perceive) 'The compound verb is em- phatic.'—xarnyjdns, thou hast been instructed) by the mouth of others. This κατήχησις" also comprises sacred history. Luke hereby claims to himself greater authority than that of those from whom Theo- philus had previously received instruction.—[rjv ἀσφάλειαν, the certainty) This unerring certainty has place, where nothing of a spurious character is added, nothing that is necessary is omitted (left to be wished for, desideratur), and all the particulars are attested and proved by adequate documents and proofs.—V. g.]
5. ᾿Εγένετο, there was) Following close upon the Preface itself, Luke exhibits the History of Jesus Christ from His entrance into the world, up to the time of His ascension into heaven. In this History we may note—
I. THe BEGINNING: wherein we have
1. The conception of John, . : » Chii. 5285 2. The conception of Jesus Himself, : 26-56 3. The nativity and circumcision of John: the hymn of Zacharias: the youth of John, . 57-80 4. Jesus Christ’s (a) Nativity, : : ii. 1-20 (6) Circumcision and name given, 21 (c) Presentation to the Lord in the temple, : : 22- 88
(4) His own country and growth, 39, 40 a 1 The ἐπὶ augments the force of the simple verb. Wahl explains it, plane e
accurate cognoscere.—EpD. and TRANSL. 2 Whenee Engl. word, catechism, catechetical.—Ep. and TRANSL.
ST LUKE I. 5.
or
a Il. Tae Mippie: when He was twelve years of age, and subsequently, : : . Ch. ii. 41-52
1Π. His course [Mrnistry ] itself. 1. The entrance on it: wherein is described the Baptist ; His baptism, His temptation, Tikes, | 21, 22; iv. 1-13
2. The acceptable year in Galilee, A. Set forth before His hearers at Nazareth, 14-30 B. Made good in actual performance : (a. At Capernaum, and in that region. Here are to be noted— (1. His acts not censured by his adversaries ;
whereby Jesus
1. Powerfully teaches, . ‘ , 31, 32 2. Delivers one demoniacally possessed, 33-87
| ὃ. Cures the mother-in-law of Peter, and many sick persons, : : 38-41 | 4, Teaches everywhere, 4244 5. Calls Peter, and also James ed J τὰν v. 1-11 6. Cleanses the leper, . 12-16
2. His acts censured by His adversaries, and that with gradually increasing severity. To this class belong—
4, In the case of the disciples of J ΤῊ, in » connection with whom we have— a. The occasion of the raising of the young ὃ man at Nain, . : : 11-18
1. The man with palsy, 17-26
2. The call of Levi, and the patios ποτὶ publicans and sinners, ὃ 27-32 3. The question as to fasting LES 33—39 4, The plucking of the ears τ Carn): .. vi. 1—5
5. The withered hand restored, and the plotting against J esus, ὃ 6-11
ὧν Eis. acts; of nied the issue eselelss was
different in the case of the different per-
sons with whom He had to do: | 1. In the case of His chosen apostles, 12-16 2. In the case of His other hearers, 17, 18; 20-49 3. In the case of the centurion, vii. 1-10 b
(=r)
ST LUKE I. 5. be b. The embassy from John, .« Ch. vii. 18-23 c. The reproof, . : 24-35
5. In the case of Simon the Pharises) and the sinner, the woman who showed
Him much love, . : 36-50
6. In the case of His own innate attendants, vil. 1-3 7. In the case of the people, . 3 4-18 | 8.-In the case of His mother and brethren, 19-21 6. On the sea, ἢ : : 22.26 And beyond the sea, : é . 27-39
_y. On this side of the sea, again: 1. Jairus, and the woman with the issue of
blood, Ξ 3 ; 40—56 2. The easile? sent Sack : 5 ix, 16 3. The doubts of Herod, 8 : yes) A, The report of the αἰόδιϊαρ, : 10 5. The eagerness of the people: the nde
ness a the Lord : the five thousand fed, 11h 3. The preparation for His passion, etc. A. The recapitulation of His doctrine concern- ing the person of Jesus Christ. Silence enjoined ; His passion foretold; following Him enjoined, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23-27 B. His. transfiguration on the mountain; the lunatic healed; His passion again foretold ; humility and moderation commanded, 28, 29, 37, 38, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50 C. His. great journey to Jerusalem when about to suffer. Herein we may fix eighteen in- tervals [incidents marking divisions] :
I. Toe Samarirans, unwilling to re- ceive Him, yet tolerated, ‘ 51-57
II. On the way: unsuitable followers repulsed : suitable ones constrained, 57-62
III. AFTERWARDS, seventy messengers sent before Him: and received back ὃ with joy, ; x. 1-24
me ik τΠρὖ6ςΠπΠπτΠπτπτττ-ΠτπΠΠτπ΄πςς;-..|07ὕὺὲὕυῪ......͵..͵ς͵ςς
3
ST LUKE I. 5. 7
AND a lawyer taught love to his
neighbour by the “example of the Samaritan, : Chit, 25:97
IV. In acertain village, ap) preferred to Martha, : : 38-42
V. In acertain place, the disciples are taught to pray, ς ΣΙ. 1-13
In a certain place, the Wemen: is cast out: this act is defended, 14-26
In a certain place, the Bi ghandition of
the woman of the company is cor- rected, : 27, 28
In a certain place, the people ie
were eagerly desirous of a sign, are reproved, : ; : 29-36
VI. In a certain house, the Pharisees and Scribes are refuted, . 37, 38, 45-54
. A discourse is addressed to the dis- ciples, . xii, 1-12
A discourse is addressed to one in- terrupting Him with a request, 13-21
A discourse is addressed to the dis- ciples, : 22--40 A discourse is addressed ὼ ee 41-53 A discourse is addressed to the people, 54-59 VUI. The need of repentance is shown, xiii. 1-9
In the synagogue the woman is healed
on the Sabbath, the kingdom of
God thus increasing as the mus- tard-seed, : : : 10-21
IX. On the journey, He declares the few- ness of those about to be saved, 22-30
X. On that day Herod is called a fox; Jerusalem is reproved, : 31--35
8
|
is --
ΧΙ.
ST LUKE I. 5.
. In the house of the Pharisee, a man
with a dropsy is healed on the
Sabbath, : : . Ch. xiv. 1-6 Humility is taught, Ξ : 7-11 True hospitality, 12. 14 The principle [ratio] of fife great ἐν 15-24 Selfdenial required, Ξ ᾿ 25-35 Joy over repenting sinners is de-
fended, 5 : xv. 1.2, 11.119 Their duty as stewards is enjoined
on the disciples, : xvi. 1-13 And the avarice and derision of elie
Pharisees are refuted, . 14-31 They are cautioned against ‘ Of
fences,’ xvii. 1-4 The faith of the τ 15 sienna 5-10
. On the borders of Samaria and
Galilee, He cures ten lepers, 11-19
XIV. He answers the question as to the time of the coming of the kingdom of God, : : 20-37 He recommends continual and humble | prayer, 5 : xvii. 1, 2, 9--14 | XY. He blesses little children, : 151% He answers the rich ruler, ἦ 18-27 | And Peter, ὃ : : 28-30 | | XVI. He foretells the Passion a third time, 31-34
:
. Nigh Jericho, a blind man given sight, 35-43
. In Jericho, salvation is conferred on
Zaccheus, : 4 xix. 1-10 An answer is given as to the sudden
appearance of the kingdom of God, 11-28
4, His acts at Jerusalem.
ST LUKE I. 5. 9
A. The first days of the great week.
1, His royal entry into Jerusalem, Ch. xix. 29-44 2. In the temple, a. The abuse of it corrected and chastised, 45, 46 8. Its right use restored, } : 47, 48 And vindicated, ; : ᾿ ΣΧ ὃ 3. Discourses in the temple : a. The parable concerning the husbandmen, 9-19 8. The answer concerning the tribute-money, 20-26 | And concerning the resurrection, 27-40 y. The question concerning David’s Lord, 41. 44 ὃ, The disciples warned of the Scribes, 45-47 ε. The widow’s offering praised, : xxi. 1-4 4. The end foretold, of the temple, of the city, of the universe, d, 6, 8, 9, 25, 26, 28, 29 5. The covenant of His adversaries and the traitor, : : : : Soar, 6
B. Thursday.
a. The preparations for the Passover made by
Peter and John, ; : 7-13 . The Supper, and words spoken al tg ἫΝ 14-23 ὃ. Wie is the greatest? . ; 24-30 Peter and the rest of the didatales are ad- monished, . : 31, 82, 35-38 d. On the Mount of Olives: 1. Jesus prays to the Father, is strengthened by an angel, and rouses His disciples, 39-46 2. Is betrayed: is unseasonably defended [by Peter’s sword] against His assail- ants. Bears Himself holily, 47-53 e. Being seized, He is led into the high priest’s house, : : : 54 Peter denies Him and ae ς : 55-62 The Lord is mocked, . : : 63-65
C. Friday.
w. His Passion and Death. His acts, 1. In the Council, etc., : : 66-71 2. In the Governor's hall, 4 : xxi. 1-5 3. Before Herod, 6712 | 4. Again in the Gaston 5 hall 13, 14, 17-25 Pyiehex? -ὃ: On the way to the cross, - : 26-32
10 ST LUKE I. 5.
b cc 6. At Golgotha; where we have the de- scription of— a. The cross itself; and Jesus’ prayer for their forgiveness, . : 33, 84 b. The parting of His garments, : 84, 35 c. The taunts uttered against Him, and | among these the inscription on the Cross, . 35-39 d. One of the ratios μον ρθε: colonel 40-43 e. The miraculous portents, and the death
of Jesus, : ᾿ : 44-46 f. The spectators, . 3 ‘ 47-49 8. His burial, ἢ : 50-53 | Ὁ. The preparation and the Sabbath, . 54-56 E. The Resurrection : it becomes known— a. To the women, : . xxiv. 1-12 b. To two going into the pouniey and to Simon, . 4 13-35 ὁ. To the rest also, . : "36, 37, 44, 45
F. The instruction of the apostles; the Ascension of our Lord; the joyous alacrity of the apostles, 46-53
- Ἡρώδου, of Herod) All the particulars are set down clearly : the names, the times, and the places. [Not a few of the false prophets— for instance, Mahomet—without premeditated foresight, have by slow and imperceptible degrees gained over parties of retainers, and after- wards deceived both themselves and others: accordingly, the cirewm- stances of their birth and their condition, in their early years, are in the case of such impostors unknown, unworthy of trust, and fictitious. But the conception of Jesus Christ, His nativity, His infancy, Mis boyhood, etc., are supported as to their credibility by signally striking proofs. From eternity God hath definitely foreordained them, and hath by His ancient prophets declared them, and confirms their fulfil- ment subsequently by the instrumentality of trrefragable witnesses.— Harm., p. 59.|—r¢ ᾿Ιουδαίας, of Judea) The theatre or scene of all the events.—iepede, priest) not the high priest, but one from among the regular courses of priests.—2& ἐφημερίας ᾿Αβιά, of the course of Abia) The priests were divided into twenty-four courses or classes : and the course of Abia was the eighth, according to 1 Chron. xxiv.
10 [Abijah = Abia]. ᾿Εφημερία in ae usage of the LXX. answers to the Hebrew npdnn, sometimes also naw. Each course in its order
ST LUKE I. 6—10. 11
had the discharge of the priestly duties devolving on it for seven days, from Sabbath to Sabbath. [Hence it is allowable to infer that Zacharias discharged his turn of duty from the 2d of September to the 9th of September: see Ord. Temp., pp. 230, 231 (Kd. ii. pp. 200, 201): and the 2d of September that year among the people of Israel corresponded to the I. Tisri. Behold how, at the commencement of the year,’ simultaneously with the angels message which was brought to Zachariah, the New Testament took its commencement —V.¢.]
6. δίκαιοι, righteous) The condescending goodness of Scripture, which speaks of the righteousness of the pious, ought not to be treated as if it is in opposition to the doctrine of justification [by faith |.—duoérepo, both) God brings forth His chosen instruments from pious parents.—évwaiov rod Θεοῦ, before [in the presence of] God) Gen. xvii. 1.-- ἐντολαῖς, the commandments) viz. the moral ones.—- δικωιώμασι) the ceremonial ones [ordinances], Heb. ix. 1.
7. Καὶ and) They no longer now had any hope of offspring, owing to a twofold cause [their age and Elizabeth’s barrenness| : ver. 18, 36 (comp. Rom. iv. 19); and perhaps they were now not even seeking for [desiring] offspring.—po8<8yxéres, far advanced ) A sweet description of the old age of the godly, which looks to the blissful goal [προβεβ. implying progress towards it].
8. Ἔν τῇ τάξει τῆς ἐφημερίας αὐτοῦ, in the order of his course) As to the chronological clue afforded by this passage, we have treated in the Ordo Temporum, p. 230 [Ed. ii. p. 200]. [In twenty-four weeks the courses of the priests returned back in rotation ; and this alterna- tion of courses prevailed even up to the destruction of the temple. —V.¢g.]
9. ἜἜλαχε, he was allotted the office) The functions of the priests were distributed by lot.’—rot θυμιάσαι, of burning incense) Ex. xxx. 1, ete.
10. πᾶν, all) It must therefore have been a solemn day, and per-
1 By the express direction of Moses the year began with Nisan (Exod. xii. 2, Num. ix. 1). But this was the ecclesiastical year regulating the festivals ; whereas the civil year began, as it begins now, with the month Tisri. The reason which the Rabbins assign for the month Tisri beginning the year is, that it was the month in which creation took place. If this be true, it is appropriate that the New Creation has its first commencements on the same month as the Natural Creation.—Ep. and Transt.
2 This was so, according to S. R. D. Crusius, Hypomn. P. 1., p. 41, partly for the sake of order, partly to avoid contentions. Comp. 1 Chron. xxiv. 4, 5. —E. B.
12 ST LUKE 1. 11—17.
haps the Sabbath, on which Zacharias entered upon his duty, ver. 22, 23.
11. “Ayyzdos, an angel) the name of whom was afterwards com- municated to Zacharias, ver. 19.
13. μὴ φοβοῦ, fear not) This is the first address from heaven in the opening dawn [aurora] of the New Testament, which is most charmingly described by Luke. The fact is here sweetly set before us; then we are led by rugged and severe paths to a most delight- ful issue. Such is also the case in the Apocalypse subsequently.— εἰσηκούσθη, has been hearkened to [granted]) This is to speak to the heart. [Zacharias in heart desired, though he no longer spoke.| Acts x. 4.-- ἡ δέησίς σου, thy prayers) He had sought offspring in former days. [For he did not himself any longer cherish the expectation of the fulfilment of his desire.—V. g.|—Iadéwny, John) The name, John, was prescribed: the name of Mary was not prescribed.
14. Χαρήσονται, shall rejoice) ver. 58, 66.
15. Ἔσται, shall be) viz. that son shall be.—Kupiov, the Lord) God the Father is meant. Presently after he speaks also of the Holy Spirit and of the Son of God. Already, in connection with the forerunner of the Messiah, the economy of the Holy Trinity more fully expands itself to view.—xa/ οἶνον καὶ σίκερα ob un πίῃ, and wine and strong drink he shall not drink) So also Judg. xiii. 4, μὴ xing οἶνον καὶ σίχερα. Σίκερω is from the Hebr. 12%, and denotes all drink distinct from wine, and yet intoxicating, as the juice of the date, malt liquor, etc. Such abstinence was enjoined on John, also on the mother of Samson.—za/, and) Similarly, being filled with the Holy Spirit, is put in antithesis to being drunk with wine, Eph. v. 18.—é, from) An abbreviated mode of expression : meaning, in the womb (ver. 41, 44) and subsequently [from that time forward].
16, 17. ᾿παιστρέψει, καὶ προελεύσεται, he shall turn, and shall go before) The words presently after in ver. 17, to turn, ἐπιστρέψαι, refer to the verb ἐπιστρέψει, in ver. 16: and ἑτοιμάσαι, to make ready, refers to προελεύσεται.--- Κύριον, the Lord) Christ is therefore God. Comp. the following verse, ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, before Him—Kupiy, the Lord: and in verse 76 [“ the Highest—before the face of the Lord” ].
17. Αὐτὸς, himself) In antithesis to the others (πολλοὺς, many), ver. 10.---ἐνώπιον, before His face) in His immediate presence.— ἐπιστρέψαι, %.7.r. to turn [convert], etc.) The language in this pas- sage, as often in prophecies, is figurative, abbreviated, and as it were poetically with this sense: John shall effect that the parents as well Ὁ as the children alike, the disobedient as well as the just alike, men
ST LUKE I. 17. 13
of every age and character, may be prepared for the Lord. But it was not convenient to say: He will convert [turn] the disobedient and the unjust along with the obedient and just alike; for the just need no conversion. Therefore, instead of the concrete, the abstract is used: He will convert the disobedient to the state of mind of the just ; z.c. those who disregard God’s law he will convert, or bring to such a state, that they will join themselves to the number of the just, putting on the docility and wisdom of these latter ; and, just as the just are ready, so will the disobedient become ready for the Lord. —xapdias, hearts) The heart is therefore the seat of conversion, of obe- dience, and of prudence.—rauripuy ἐπὶ τέκνα, of the fathers along with the children alike) Mal. iii. 24, omas-by ova shy maby mas 25, LXX. χαρδίαν rarphs πρὸς υἱὸν, καὶ καρδίον ἀνθρώπου πρὸς τὸν πλήσιον αὐτοῦ. The expression is equivalent to a proverb, so as to signify the multi- tude—the ‘ many’ converted (ver. 16). So Gen. xxxii. 11, μητέρα ἐπὶ τέκνοις. So decidedly πατέρων ἐπὶ τέκνα, Exod. xx. 5, xxxiv. 7: also χνήμην ἐπὶ μηρὸν, Judg. xv. 8. See also by, Amos 11. 15; Judg. xii. 1; and πρὸς, in the Son of Sir. (see the quotation below). At the same time there may be designed to be marked the care of the fathers for the salvation of their children, as opposed to what takes place in a flight such as Jer. xlvii. ὃ describes, οὐκ ἐπέστρεψαν πατέρες, ἐφ᾽ υἱοὺς αὐτῶν.---χαὶ ἀπειθεῖς ἐν φρονήσει δικαίων, and the disobedient in [to] the wisdom [prudence] of the just) This is set down instead of what is found in Malachi: and the heart of the children upon [super: but Engl. Vers. to] their fathers. Disobedience is espe- cially the fault of youths: prudence [wisdom] and justice are especially becoming in fathers. The angel says, in the prudence, not into [to] the prudence. The feeling [sentiments] of those who are just, is immediately put on in conversion.—irojudoor Κυρίῳ λαὸν κατεσχευασ- μένον, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord) Asyndeton [absence of copulative between ἐπιστρέψαι and ἑτοιμάσαι] : to convert [turn], to make ready. ‘The people is to be made ready, lest the Lord, finding the people not ready for Him, should crush them with His majesty [“ Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” ], Mal. iv. 6. A people prepared, 1.6. complying with the instructions of John, who makes them ready, and obedient to the Lord; no longer having such hearts as are described in Prov. xv. 7, 13 xb mds aby, LXX. καρδίαι ἀφρόνων οὐκ ἀσφαλεῖς, The hearts of fools are not safe [Engl. Vers. from Hebr., But the heart of the foolish doeth not so, 1.6. do not disperse knowledge]. Let the antithetic terms be noted, ἀφρόνων and φρονήσει ; and the kindred terms 13 and ἑτοιμάσαι. Con-
14 ST LUKE I. 18—20.
cerning Elias, see Sir. xlvili. 11, καὶ ἐπιστρέψαι καρδίαν πατρὸς πρὸς ὑμὸν, nal καταστῆσαι φυλὰς Ἰακώβ. That the work of the Son of Sirach is far from a low and common one, its accordance with the angel’s words proves. See also Matt. xxii. 34, note.
18. Κατὰ τί γνώσομαι) So LXX., Gen. xv. 8. The question of Zacharias is one affecting the very fact itself, thus betraying that he laboured under a want of faith: the σῶς, how, which Mary started as a question, was accompanied with faith: comp. ver. 34 [How ?] with 45 [“ Blessed is she that believed.” |
19. Γαβριὴλ, Gabriel) The reason why Zacharias ought not to have had any unbelief, is the authority of the heavenly messenger. The name is compounded of 721 and bs, and indicates the main object of his embassy, viz. concerning the incarnation of the Son of God, 5s is 123, Giod is man. Gabriel had appeared to Daniel also. It was the same angel, and he came on the same business.—é rapeo- τηκὼς, who am wont to stand in attendance) Seven angels stand in the presence of God, Rev. viii. 2. One of these, Gabriel, stands in attendance [adstat, stands by], or stands with the six others.— ἀπεστάλην, 1 have been sent) ver. 26; Heb. i.14.—siayyerioactou, to show thee these glad tidings) Thus marking the beginning of the Gospel [= Glad tidings]: ch. ii. 10, 17, ii. 18; Mark 1. 1.
20. ᾿Ιδοὺ, behold) as much as to say, by this thou shalt be made know. An appropriate sign is given to him who asked for a sign, though the sign given was not such as he would have desired. σιωπῶν, silent) in the matter of fact [actually ].----μὴ δυνάμενος λαλῆσαι; not able to speak) in the want of the ability to speak [physically]. Comp. [accordingly in his recovery both are specified] ver. 64, the mouth and the tongue. For the most part, those to whom a great revelation is vouchsafed, are wont to lose something of their natural power, without however real hurt to them. So Jacob was made lame ; but his lameness proved, not a blemish, but a mark of honour to him: so Zacharias here was made dumb: Saul (Paul) was for a time deprived of sight. This dumbness of Zacharias at the same time acted as a spiritual medicine, lest he should too much pride him- self on account of the prophecy as to the greatness of his son.— ἄχρι ἧς) Comp. ver. 64 [His mouth opened] with ver. 13 [Thou shalt call his name John], 63 [When the ‘ things’ foretold were ‘performed, and Zacharias, ceasing from unbelief, wrote, “ His name is John”]. [The day alluded to was the day of John’s circum- cision, on which he received his name.—V. g.|—dvt ὧν, because) Therefore it was, strictly speaking, a punishment.—odx émiorebous,
ST LUKE I. 22—28. 15
thou hast not believed) He did not believe: on this account he was not able to speak.’—zAnpwdjoovra, shall be fulfilled) It is the event which chiefly produces faith.—cig τὸν καιρὸν αὐτῶν, at their own season) their proper season. Comp. at this time [will I come|, Rom. ix. 9- 2 Kings iv. 16.
22. Λαλῆσαι, to speak) for instance, to give the blessing. Zacha- rias, as being dumb, was in the meantime excluded from the exer- cise of all the functions of a priest. This constitutes the prelude to the termination of the ceremonial law, now that Christ. is coming.—éatyvacur, they perceived) A benefit thus accompanied the very punishment of Zacharias. Thereby all were stirred up to attention.
23. Eis τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ, to his own house) An abbreviated form of expression : the city, in which Zacharias dwelt, requiring to be under- stood. Comp. ver. 39. So also ver. 56. The house of Zacharias is put in antithesis to the temple of the Lord: see ver. 9.
24. Ταύτας, these) the days of which ver. 23 makes mention [the days of his ministration].—<epiéxpuBev, She hid herself’) that her preg- nancy might be unobserved : owing to which, subsequently her preg- nancy was suddenly made the more apparent.—Aéyousx, saying) to the partakers of [those who sympathized in] her joy.
25. Οὕτω, thus) even as all, five months afterwards, saw her [viz. pregnant].—juipass, in the days) definitely fixed beforehand.— ἐπεῖδεν) ἐπέβλεψεν, ver. 48 5 ἐπεσκέψατο, ver. 68.—rd ὄνειδος, my re- proach) viz. the surname by which they called her, viz. barren, ver. 36.—év ἀνθρώποις, among men) She had scarcely accounted her- self as one of the human race [to be counted among men] on account of her barrenness.
27. Πρὸς παρθένον, to a virgin) Matt. 1. 28.--- μεμνηστευμένην, [espoused] betrothed) by the divine ruling of Providence. It would not have been befitting that Mary should have been only betrothed after the annunciation of the angel, and not sooner.—dvép/, to a man) who was designed to act as guardian both of the virgin and of her off- spring.—2§ οἴκου Δαυΐδ, of the house of David) Construe with Joseph ; comp. ch. ii. 4. This is, however, not to the exclusion of Mary.
28. Εῤσελθὼν, entering in) At evening time, as is probable. Comp. Dan. ix. 21.-- κεχαριτωμένη) Eph. i. 6. ‘The Vulg. renders gratia plena, in a passive sense [“ filled with grace”], (as Ovid, Carmina plena favoris), one who has found favour, ver. 80. She is so called,
1 See 2 Cor. iv. 13.—Ep. and TRANSL.
16 ST LUKE I. 29-32.
not as the mother of grace, but as the daughter of grace, especially at that early time.—yerd σοῦ) May the Lord be with thee (not, “The Lord is with thee,” as Engl. Vers.] Comp. Matt. i. 23, at the end of verse, and the note. It is parallel to, χαῦε, Hail. The Indica- tive is taken for granted,’ and the Optative here subscribes to [seals and confirms] it. So “πᾶσ. vi. 12 [the angel to Gideon, “ The Lord is (or rather, may the Lord be) with thee”), Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.--- σὺ, thou) The Vocative: as in Acts iv. 24 [ δέσποτα; σὺ ὁ ποιήσας, etc. | ᾿ Chrys de Sacerd., p. 322.
29. Διεσαράχθη, she was troubled) Her being troubled arose from the apparition itself (ἡ δὲ ἰδοῦσα, when she saw him). Therefore she does not seem to have been previously accustomed to apparitions. [All things, in the case of the blessed Virgin, both what was foretold to herself, and what ensued subsequently, befel her without her ex- pecting them. But if her conception, as the tradition of several members of the Roman Church represents, had been immaculate, she could have hardly accounted herself, however superlatively modest, in such an ordinary position (so entirely undistinguished from ordinary men and women).—V. g.|—zoranis εἴη, of what kind may be) The formule themselves, which had been addressed to her, hail, and, the Lord with thee, were ordinary salutations ; but from the peculiar and extraordinary titles which the angel added, Mary understood that the formule, especially as being conjoined with these titles, were employed with an extraordinary [distinguishing] and new force. In fact, in all the recorded apparitions of angels, there is no other instance occurs of such a salutation. Mary not only wondered, but also cast in her mind, of what kind might be, what was the meaning, and what the drift of this salutation. .
30. Etpes γὰρ χάριν, for thou hast found favour) Hebr. jn syd. So Acts vii. 46; Heb. iv. 16.
31. ᾿Ιδοὺ, behold) In the words following is contained a summary of the Gospel, which is repeated at ver. 50, 51, 68, 695 ch. i. 10, 11; xiv. 30, 31. Comp. the words, 2 Sam. vii. 8, etc.
32. Οὗτος, He) The Messiah is clearly described, even as at ver. 68, etc. and ch. ii. 30, ete.—piyas, great) The greatness of John, described at ver. 15, is far exceeded by the greatness of Jesus, de- scribed here. [See ver. 33, and comp. Dan. ii. 35; Eph. iv. 10.— V. ν».1--γῶς Ὑψίστου κληθήσεται, He shall be called the Son of the Highest) Jesus, even in a point of view distinct from His Divine
1 The χάρις of the Lord, implied in χαῖρε, is with her.—Ep. and TRANSL.
ST LUKE I. 33-35. 1
nature, and from His personal union with God the Father, is, in a sense transcendentally above all angels and men, the Son of the Highest, on account of the extraordinary nature [rationem, principle] of His conception and nativity.—rov θρόνον Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, the throne of David His father) Christ was promised to the fathers, especially to Abraham, as the Seed. He was promised by Moses, a prophet, as the Prophet. He was promised to David, a king, as the King. Even the temporal kingdom of Israel belonged to Jesus Christ by hereditary right. Massecheth Sanhedrin, ch iv., says, that Jesus is nearest to the kingdom, n3>n> 3p.
33. Οἶκον ᾿Ιακὼβ, the house of Jacob) Under this house are con- tained the Gentiles, even as, for the sake of illustration, there are contained under the appellation of the Rhine, the rivers that flow into it. But yet it is the house itself [Israel] which is principally alluded to, especially at this early period, and in an address to an Israelitish woman. At this early stage in the Gospel history, its progress is designated generally : the spiritual sense lies