He called the twelve together ( sunkalesamenos tous dōdeka ).

Mar 6:7; Mat 10:1 have proskaleōmai , to call to him. Both the indirect middle voice.

He sent them forth ( apesteilen autous ).

First aorist active indicative of apostellō .

To preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick ( kērussein tēn basileian tou theou kai iāsthai ).

Present indicative for the continuous functions during this campaign. This double office of herald (kērussein ) and healer (iāsthai ) is stated directly in Mat 10:7-8. Note the verb iaomai for healing here, though therapeuein in Luk 9:1, apparently used interchangeably.

Neither staff ( mēte rabdon ).

For the apparent contradiction between these words (= Mat 10:10) and Mar 6:8 see note there. For pēran (wallet) see also Mar 6:8 and note on Mat 10:10 for this and other details here.

As many as receive you not ( hosoi an mē dechōntai humas ).

Indefinite relative plural with an and present middle subjunctive and the negative mē . Here Mat 10:14 has the singular (whosoever) and Mar 6:11 has "whatsoever place."

For a testimony against them ( eis marturion ep' autous ).

Note use of ep' autous where Mar 6:11 has simply the dative autois (disadvantage), really the same idea.

Went ( diērchonto ).

Imperfect middle, continuous and repeated action made plainer also by three present participles (exerchomenoi , euaggelizomenoi , therapeuontes ), describing the wide extent of the work through all the villages (kata tas kōmas , distributive use of kata ) everywhere (pantachou ) in Galilee.

All that was done ( ta ginomena panta ).

Present middle participle, "all that was coming to pass."

He was much perplexed ( diēporei ).

Imperfect active of diaporeō , to be thoroughly at a loss, unable to find a way out (dia , a privative, poros , way), common ancient verb, but only in Luke’ s writings in the N.T.

Because it was said ( dia to legesthai ).

Neat Greek idiom, the articular passive infinitive after dia . Three reports came to the ears of Herod as Luke has it, each introduced by hoti (that) in indirect discourse: "By some"(hupo tinōn ), "by some"(hupo tinōn de ), "by others"(allōn de , hupo not here expressed, but carried over). The verbs in the indirect discourse here (Luk 9:7, Luk 9:8) are all three aorists (ēgerthē first passive; ephanē second passive; anestē second active), not past perfects as the English has them.

He sought ( ezētei ).

Imperfect active. He keep on seeking to see Jesus. The rumours disturbed Herod because he was sure that he had put him to death ("John I beheaded").

Declared ( diēgēsanto ).

First aorist middle of diēgeomai , to carry a narrative through to the end. Jesus listened to it all.

They had done ( epoiēsan ).

Aorist active indicative, they did.

He took them ( paralabōn autous ).

Second aorist active participle of paralambanō . Very common verb.

Bethsaida ( Bēthsaida ).

Peculiar to Luke. Bethsaida Julias is the territory of Philip, for it is on the other side of the Sea of Galilee (Joh 6:1).

Spake ( elalei ).

Imperfect active, he continued speaking.

He healed ( iāto ).

Imperfect middle, he continued healing.

To wear away ( klinein ).

Old verb usually transitive, to bend or bow down. Many compounds as in English decline, incline, recline, clinic (klinē , bed), etc. Luke alone in the N.T. uses it intransitively as here. The sun was turning down towards setting.

Lodge ( katalusōsin ).

First aorist active subjunctive of kataluō , a common verb, to dissolve, destroy, overthrow, and then of travellers to break a journey, to lodge (kataluma , inn, Luk 2:7). Only here and Luk 19:7 in the N.T. in this sense.

Get victuals ( heurōsin episitismon ).

Ingressive aorist active of heuriskō , very common verb.

Victuals ( episitismon , from episitizomai , to provision oneself, sitizō , from siton , wheat)

only here in the N.T., though common in ancient Greek, especially for provisions for a journey (snack). See notes on Mar 6:32-44; notes on Mat 14:13-21 for discussion of details.

Except we should go and buy food ( ei mēti poreuthentes hēmeis agorasōmen brōmata ).

This is a condition of the third class with the aorist subjunctive (agorasōmen ), where the conjunction is usually ean (with negative ean mē ), but not always or necessarily so especially in the Koiné. So in 1Co 14:5 ei mē diermēneuēi and in Phi 3:12 ei kai katalabō . "Unless"is better here than "except."

Food ( brōmata )

, means eaten pieces from bibrōskō , to eat, somewhat like our "edibles"or vernacular "eats."

About ( hōsei ).

Luke as Mat 14:21 adds this word to the definite statement of Mar 6:44 that there were 5, 000 men, a hundred companies of fifty each.

Sit down ( kataklinate ).

First aorist active imperative. Recline, lie down. Only in Luke in the N.T. See also Luk 9:15.

In companies ( klisias ).

Cognate accusative after kataklinate . Only here in the N.T. A row of persons reclining at meals (table company).

About fifty each ( hōsei ana pentēkonta ).

Distributive use of ana and approximate number again (hōsei ).

The five ... the two ( tous pente tous duo ).

Pointing back to Luk 9:13, fine example of the Greek article.

And gave ( kai edidou ).

Imperfect active of didōmi , kept on giving. This picturesque imperfect is preceded by the aorist kateklasen (brake), a single act. This latter verb in the N.T. only here and the parallel in Mar 6:41, though common enough in ancient Greek. We say "break off"where here the Greek has "break down"(or thoroughly), perfective use of kata .

Twelve baskets ( kophinoi dōdeka ).

For discussion of kophonoi and sphurides as well as of klasmata (broken pieces) See Mar 6:43; note on Mat 14:20.

As he was praying ( en tōi einai auton proseuchomenon ).

Common Lukan idiom of en with the articular infinitive for a temporal clause, only here Luke has the periphrastic infinitive (einai proseuchomenon ) as also in Luk 11:1. This item about Christ’ s praying alone in Luke.

Alone ( kata monas ).

In the N.T. only here and Mar 4:10. Perhaps chōras (places) is to be supplied with monas (lonely places).

Were with him ( sunēsan autōi ).

This seems like a contradiction unless "alone"is to be taken with sunēsan . Westcott and Hort put sunēntēsan in the margin. This would mean that as Jesus was praying alone, the disciples fell in with him. At any rate he was praying apart from them.

That I am ( me einai ).

Accusative and infinitive in indirect assertion, a common Greek idiom. Mat 16:13 for "I"has "the Son of man"as identical in the consciousness of Christ. The various opinions of men about Jesus here run parallel to the rumours heard by Herod (Luk 9:8, Luk 9:9).

But who say ye? ( Humeis de tina legete̱ ).

Note the emphatic proleptical position of humeis : "But ye who do ye say? This is really what mattered now with Jesus.

The Christ of God ( Ton christon tou theou ).

The accusative though the infinitive is not expressed. The Anointed of God, the Messiah of God. See note on Luk 2:11 for "the Anointed of the Lord."See note on Mat 16:17 for discussion of Peter’ s testimony in full. Mar 6:29 has simply "the Christ."It is clear from the previous narrative that this is not a new discovery from Simon Peter, but simply the settled conviction of the disciples after all the defections of the Galilean masses and the hostility of the Jerusalem ecclesiastics. The disciples still believed in Jesus as the Messiah of Jewish hope and prophecy. It will become plain that they do not grasp the spiritual conception of the Messiah and his kingdom that Jesus taught, but they are clear that he is the Messiah however faulty their view of the Messiah may be. There was comfort in this for Jesus. They were loyal to him.

To tell this to no man ( mēdeni legein touto ).

Indirect command with the negative infinitive after commanded (parēggeilen ). It had been necessary for Jesus to cease using the word Messiah (Christos ) about himself because of the political meaning to the Jews. Its use by the disciples would lead to revolution as was plain after the feeding of the five thousand (Joh 6:15).

Rejected ( apodokimasthēnai ).

First aorist passive infinitive of apodokimazō , to reject after trial.

The third day ( tēi tritēi hēmerāi ).

Locative case of time as in Mat 16:21. Here in the parallel passage Mar 8:31 has "after three days"(meta treis hēmeras ) in precisely the same sense. That is to say, "after three days"is just a free way of saying "on the third day"and cannot mean "on the fourth day"if taken too literally. For discussion of this plain prediction of the death of Christ with various details see note on Mat 16:21 and note on Mar 8:31. It was a melancholy outlook that depressed the disciples as Mark and Matthew show in the protest of Peter and his rebuke.

He said unto all ( elegen de pros pantas ).

This is like Luke (cf. Luk 9:43). Jesus wanted all (the multitude with his disciples, as Mar 8:34 has it) to understand the lesson of self-sacrifice. They could not yet understand the full meaning of Christ’ s words as applied to his approaching death of which he had been speaking. But certainly the shadow of the cross is already across the path of Jesus as he is here speaking. For details (soul, life, forfeit, gain, profit, lose, world) see notes on Mat 16:24-26 and note on Mar 8:34-37. The word for lose (apolesei , from apollumi , a very common verb) is used in the sense of destroy, kill, lose, as here. Note the mercantile terms in this passage (gain, lose, fine or forfeit, exchange).

Daily ( kath' hēmeran ).

Peculiar to Luke in this incident. Take up the cross (his own cross) daily (aorist tense, āratō ), but keep on following me (akoloutheitō , present tense). The cross was a familiar figure in Palestine. It was rising before Jesus as his destiny. Each man has his own cross to meet and bear.

Whosoever shall be ashamed ( hos an epaischunthēi ).

Rather, Whosoever is ashamed as in Mar 8:38. The first aorist passive subjunctive in an indefinite relative clause with an . The passive verb is transitive here also. This verb is from epi and aischunē , shame (in the eyes of men). Jesus endured the shame of the cross (Heb 12:2). The man at the feast who had to take a lower seat did it with shame (Luk 14:9). Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel (Rom 1:16). Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul (2Ti 1:16).

In his own glory ( en tēi doxēi autou ).

This item added to what is in Mar 8:38; Mat 16:27.

Till they see ( heōs an idōsin ).

Second aorist active subjunctive with heōs and an referring to the future, an idiomatic construction. So in Mar 9:1; Mat 16:28. In all three passages "shall not taste of death"(ou mē geusōntai thanatou , double negative with aorist middle subjunctive) occurs also. Rabbinical writings use this figure. Like a physician Christ tasted death that we may see how to die. Jesus referred to the cross as "this cup"(Mar 14:36; Mat 26:39; Luk 22:42). Mark speaks of the kingdom of God as "come"(elēluthuian , second perfect active participle). Matthew as "coming"(erchomenon ) referring to the Son of man, while Luke has neither form. See Matthew and Mark for discussion of the theories of interpretation of this difficult passage. The Transfiguration follows in a week and may be the first fulfilment in the mind of Jesus. It may also symbolically point to the second coming.

About eight days ( hōsei hēmerai oktō ).

A nominativus pendens without connexion or construction. Mar 9:2 (Mat 17:1) has "after six days"which agrees with the general statement.

Into the mountain ( eis to oros ).

Probably Mount Hermon because we know that Jesus was near Caesarea Philippi when Peter made the confession (Mar 8:27; Mat 16:13). Hermon is still the glory of Palestine from whose heights one can view the whole of the land. It was a fit place for the Transfiguration.

To pray ( proseuxasthai ).

Peculiar to Luke who so often mentions Christ’ s habit of prayer (cf. Luk 3:21). See also Luk 9:29 "as he was praying"(en tōi proseuchesthai , one of Luke’ s favourite idioms).

His countenance was altered ( egeneto to eidos tou prosōpou autou heteron ).

Literally, "the appearance of his face became different."Mat 17:2 says that "his face did shine as the sun."Luke does not use the word "transfigured"(metemorphōthē ) in Mar 9:2; Mat 17:2. He may have avoided this word because of the pagan associations with this word as Ovid’ s Metamorphoses .

And his raiment became white and dazzling ( kai ho himatismos autou leukos exastraptōn ).

Literally, And his raiment white radiant. There is no and between "white"and "dazzling."The participle exastraptōn is from the compound verb meaning to flash (astraptō ) out or forth (ex ). The simple verb is common for lightning flashes and bolts, but the compound in the lxx and here alone in the N.T. See note on Mar 9:3 "exceeding white"and the note on Mat 17:2 "white as the light."

There talked with him ( sunelaloun autōi ).

Imperfect active, were talking with him.

Who appeared in glory ( hoi ophthentes en doxēi ).

First aorist passive participle of horaō . This item peculiar to Luke. Compare Luk 9:26.

Spake of his decease ( elegon tēn exodon ).

Imperfect active, were talking about his exodus (departure from earth to heaven) very much like our English word "decease"(Latin decessus , a going away). The glorious light graphically revealed Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus about the very subject concerning which Peter had dared to rebuke Jesus for mentioning (Mar 8:32; Mat 16:22). This very word exodus (way out) in the sense of death occurs in 2Pe 1:15 and is followed by a brief description of the Transfiguration glory. Other words for death (thanatos ) in the N.T. are ekbasis , going out as departure (Heb 13:7), aphixis , departing (Act 20:29), analusis , loosening anchor (2Ti 4:6) and analusai (Phi 1:23).

To accomplish ( plēroun ).

To fulfil. Moses had led the Exodus from Egypt. Jesus will accomplish the exodus of God’ s people into the Promised Land on high. See notes on Mark and note on Matthew for discussion of significance of the appearance of Moses and Elijah as representatives of law and prophecy and with a peculiar death. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to strengthen the heart of Jesus as he was praying long about his approaching death and to give these chosen three disciples a glimpse of his glory for the hour of darkness coming. No one on earth understood the heart of Jesus and so Moses and Elijah came. The poor disciples utterly failed to grasp the significance of it all.

Were heavy with sleep ( ēsan bebarēmenoi hupnōi ).

Periphrastic past perfect of bareō , a late form for the ancient barunō (not in N.T. save Textus Receptus in Luk 21:34). This form, rare and only in passive (present, aorist, perfect) in the N.T., is like barunō , from barus , and that from baros , weight, burden (Gal 6:2). Hupnōi is in the instrumental case. They had apparently climbed the mountain in the early part of the night and were now overcome with sleep as Jesus prolonged his prayer. Luke alone tells of their sleep. The same word is used of the eyes of these three disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mat 26:43) and of the hearts of many (Luk 21:34).

But when they were fully awake ( diagrēgorēsantes de ).

First aorist active participle of this late (Herodian) and rare compound verb (here alone in the N.T.), diagrēgoreō (Luke is fond of compounds with dia ). The simple verb grēgoreō (from the second perfect active egrēgora ) is also late, but common in the lxx and the N.T. The effect of dia can be either to remain awake in spite of desire to sleep (margin of Revised Version) or to become thoroughly awake (ingressive aorist tense also) as Revised Version has it. This is most likely correct. The Syriac Sinaitic has it "When they awoke."Certainly they had been through a strain.

His glory ( tēn doxan autou ).

See also Luk 9:26 in the words of Jesus.

As they were departing from him ( en tōi diachōrizesthai autous ap' autou ).

Peculiar to Luke and another instance of Luke’ s common idiom of en with the articular infinitive in a temporal clause. This common verb occurs here only in the N.T. The present middle voice means to separate oneself fully (direct middle). This departing of Moses and Elijah apparently accompanied Peter’ s remark as given in all three Gospels. See for details on Mark and Matthew.

Master ( Epistata )

here, Rabbi (Mar 9:5), Lord (Kurie , Mat 17:4).

Let us make ( poiēsōmen , first aorist active subjunctive)

as in Mar 9:5, but Mat 17:4 has "I will make"(poiēsō ). It was near the time of the feast of the tabernacles. So Peter proposes that they celebrate it up here instead of going to Jerusalem for it as they did a bit later (John 7).

Not knowing what he said ( mē eidōs ho legei ).

Literally, not understanding what he was saying (mē , regular negative with participle and legei , present indicative retained in relative clause in indirect discourse). Luke puts it more bluntly than Mark (Peter’ s account), "For he wist not what to answer; for they became sore afraid"(Mar 9:6). Peter acted according to his impulsive nature and spoke up even though he did not know what to say or even what he was saying when he spoke. He was only half awake as Luke explains and he was sore afraid as Mark (Peter) explains. He had bewilderment enough beyond a doubt, but it was Peter who spoke, not James and John.

Overshadowed them ( epeskiazen autous ).

Imperfect active (aorist in Mat 17:5) as present participle in Mar 9:7, inchoative, the shadow began to come upon them. On Hermon as on many high mountains a cloud will swiftly cover the cap. I have seen this very thing at Blue Ridge, North Carolina. This same verb is used of the Holy Spirit upon Mary (Luk 1:35). Nowhere else in the N.T., though an old verb (epi , skiazō , from skia , shadow).

As they entered into the cloud ( en tōi eiselthein autous eis tēn nephelēn ).

Luke’ s idiom of en with the articular infinitive again (aorist active this time, on the entering in as to them). All six "entered into"the cloud, but only Peter, James, and John "became afraid"(ephobēthēsan , ingressive first aorist passive).||

If ekeinous be accepted here instead of autous , the three disciples would be outside of the cloud. @@Out of the cloud ( ek tēs nephelēs ).

This voice was the voice of the Father like that at the baptism of Jesus (Luk 3:22; Mar 1:11; Mat 3:17) and like that near the end (Joh 12:28-30) when the people thought it was a clap of thunder or an angel.

My son, my chosen ( Ho huios mou , ho eklelegmenos ).

So the best documents (Aleph B L Syriac Sinaitic). The others make it "My Beloved"as in Mar 9:7; Mat 17:5. These disciples are commanded to hear Jesus, God’ s Son, even when he predicts his death, a pointed rebuke to Simon Peter as to all.

When the voice came ( en toi genesthai tēn phōnēn ).

Another example of Luke’ s idiom, this time with the second aorist middle infinitive. Literally, "on the coming as to the voice"(accusative of general reference). It does not mean that it was "after"the voice was past that Jesus was found alone, but simultaneously with it (ingressive aorist tense).

Alone ( monos ).

Same adjective in Mar 9:8; Mat 17:8 translated "only."Should be rendered "alone"there also.

They held their peace ( esigēsan ).

Ingressive aorist active of common verb sigaō , became silent. In Mar 9:9; Mat 17:9, Jesus commanded them not to tell till His Resurrection from the dead. Luke notes that they in awe obeyed that command and it turns out that they finally forgot the lesson of this night’ s great experience. By and by they will be able to tell them, but not "in those days."

Which they had seen ( hōn heōrakan ).

Attraction of the relative ha into the case of the unexpressed antecedent toutōn . Perfect active indicative heōrakan with Koiné (papyri) form for the ancient heōrakāsin changed by analogy to the first aorist ending in -an instead of -asin .

On the next day ( tēi hexēs hēmerāi ).

Alone in Luke. It shows that the Transfiguration took place on the preceding night.

They were come down ( katelthontōn autōn ).

Genitive absolute of second aorist active participle of katerchomai , a common enough verb, but in the N.T. only in Luke’ s writings save Jam 3:15.

Met him ( sunēntēsen autōi ).

First aorist active of sunantaō , common compound verb, to meet with, only in Luke’ s writings in the N.T. save Heb 7:1. With associative instrumental case autōi .

Master ( Didaskale ).

Teacher as in Mar 9:17.

Lord ( kurie , Mat 17:15).

To look upon ( epiblepsai ).

Aorist active infinitive of epiblepō (epi , upon, blepō , look), common verb, but in the N.T. only here and Jam 2:3 except Luk 1:48 in quotation from lxx. This compound verb is common in medical writers for examining carefully the patient.

Mine only child ( monogenēs moi ).

Only in Luke as already about an only child in Luk 7:12; Luk 8:42.

Suddenly ( exephnēs ).

Old adverb, but in the N.T. only in Luke’ s writings save Mar 13:36. Used by medical writers of sudden attacks of disease like epilepsy.

It teareth him that he foameth ( sparassei auton meta aphrou ).

Literally, "It tears him with (accompanied with, meta ) foam"(old word, aphros , only here in the N.T.). From sparassō , to convulse, a common verb, but in the N.T. only here and Mar 1:26; Mar 9:26 (and sunsparassō , Mar 9:20). See Mar 9:17; and note on Mat 17:15 for variations in the symptoms in each Gospel. The use of meta aphrou is a medical item.

Hardly ( molis ).

Late word used in place of mogis , the old Greek term (in some MSS. here) and alone in Luke’ s writings in the N.T. save 1Pe 4:18; Rom 5:7.

Bruising him sorely ( suntribon auton ).

Common verb for rubbing together, crushing together like chains (Mar 5:4) or as a vase (Mar 14:3). See notes on Mat 17:15 and notes on Mar 9:17 for discussion of details here.

How long shall I be with you and bear with you? ( heōs pote esomai pros humās kai anexomai humōṉ ).

Here the two questions of Mar 9:19 (only one in Mat 17:17) are combined in one sentence.

Bear with ( anexomai , direct middle future)

is, hold myself from you (ablative case humōn ).

Faithless ( apistos )

is disbelieving and perverse (diestrammenē , perfect passive participle of diastrephō ), is twisted, turned, or torn in two.

As he was yet a coming ( eti proserchomenou autou ).

Genitive absolute. While he was yet coming (the boy, that is, not Jesus). Note quaint English "a coming"retained in the Revised Version.

Dashed him ( errēxen auton ).

First aorist active indicative of rēgnumi or rēssō , to rend or convulse, a common verb, used sometimes of boxers giving knockout blows.

Tare grievously ( sunesparaxen ).

Rare word as only here and Mar 9:20 in the N.T., which see note.

Gave him back to his father ( apedōken auton tōi patri autou ).

Tender touch alone in Luke as in Luk 7:15.

They were all astonished ( exeplēssonto de pantes ).

Imperfect passive of the common verb ekplēssō or ekplēgnumi , to strike out, a picturesque description of the amazement of all at the easy victory of Jesus where the nine disciples had failed.

At the majesty of God ( epi tēi megaleiotēti tou theou ).

A late word from the adjective megaleios and that from megas (great). In the N.T. only here and Act 19:27 of Artemis and in 2Pe 1:16 of the Transfiguration. It came to be used by the emperors like our word "Majesty."

Which he did ( hois epoiei ).

This is one of the numerous poor verse divisions. This sentence has nothing to do with the first part of the verse. The imperfect active epoiei covers a good deal not told by Luke (See Mar 9:30 = Mat 17:22). Note the attraction of the relative hois into the case of pāsin , its antecedent.

Sink into your ears ( Thesthe humeis eis ta ōta humōn ).

Second aorist imperative middle of tithēmi , common verb. "Do you (note emphatic position) yourselves (whatever others do) put into your ears."No word like "sink"here. The same prediction here as in Mar 9:31 = Mat 17:22 about the Son of man only without mention of death and resurrection as there. See note on Mar 9:31 for discussion.

It was concealed from them ( ēn parakekalummenon ap' autōn ).

Periphrastic past perfect of parakaluptō , a common verb, but only here in the N.T., to cover up, to hide from. This item only in Luke.

That they should not perceive it ( hina mē aisthōntai auto ).

Second aorist middle subjunctive of the common verb aisthanomai used with hina mē , negative purpose. This explanation at least relieves the disciples to some extent of full responsibility for their ignorance about the death of Jesus as Mar 9:32 observes, as does Luke here that they were afraid to ask him. Plummer says, "They were not allowed to understand the saying then, in order that they might remember it afterwards, and see that Jesus had met His sufferings with full knowledge and free will."Perhaps also, if they had fully understood, they might have lacked courage to hold on to the end. But it is a hard problem.

A reasoning ( dialogismos ).

A dispute. The word is from dialogizomai , the verb used in Mar 9:33 about this incident. In Luke this dispute follows immediately after the words of Jesus about his death. They were afraid to ask Jesus about that subject, but Mat 18:1 states that they came to Jesus to settle it.

Which of them should be greatest ( to tis an eiē meizōn autōn ).

Note the article with the indirect question, the clause being in the accusative of general reference. The optative with an is here because it was so in the direct question (potential optative with an retained in the indirect). But Luke makes it plain that it was not an abstract problem about greatness in the kingdom of heaven as they put it to Jesus (Mat 18:1), but a personal problem in their own group. Rivalries and jealousies had already come and now sharp words. By and by James and John will be bold enough to ask for the first places for themselves in this political kingdom which they expect (Mar 10:35; Mat 20:20). It is a sad spectacle.

Took a little child ( epilabomenos paidion ).

Second aorist middle participle of the common verb epilambanō . Strictly, Taking a little child to himself (indirect middle). Mar 9:36 has merely the active labōn of the simple verb lambanō . Set him by his side (estēsen auto par' heautōi ). "In his arms"Mar 9:36 has it, "in the midst of them"Mat 18:3 says. All three attitudes following one another (the disciples probably in a circle around Jesus anyhow) and now the little child (Peter’ s child?) was slipped down by the side of Jesus as he gave the disciples an object lesson in humility which they sorely needed.

This little child ( touto to paidion ).

As Jesus spoke he probably had his hand upon the head of the child. Mat 18:5 has "one such little child."The honoured disciple, Jesus holds, is the one who welcomes little children "in my name"(epi tōi onomati mou ), upon the basis of my name and my authority. It was a home-thrust against the selfish ambition of the Twelve. Ministry to children is a mark of greatness. Have preachers ever yet learned how to win children to Christ? They are allowed to slip away from home, from Sunday school, from church, from Christ.

For he that is least among you all ( ho gar mikroteros en pasin humin huparchōn ).

Note the use of huparchō as in Luk 8:41; Luk 23:50. The comparative mikroteros is in accord with the Koiné idiom where the superlative is vanishing (nearly gone in modern Greek). But great (megas ) is positive and very strong. This saying peculiar to Luke here.

And John answered ( apokritheis de Iōanēs ).

As if John wanted to change the subject after the embarrassment of the rebuke for their dispute concerning greatness (Luk 9:46-48).

Master ( epistata ).

Only in Luke in the N.T. as already four times (Luk 5:5; Luk 8:24, Luk 8:45; Luk 9:33).

We forbade him ( ekōluomen auton ).

Conative imperfect as in Mar 9:38, We tried to hinder him.

Because he followeth not with us ( hoti ouk akolouthei meth hēmōn ).

Present tense preserved for vividness where Mark has imperfect e4kolouthei. Note also here "with us"(meth' hēmōn ) where Mark has associative instrumental hēmin . It is a pitiful specimen of partisan narrowness and pride even in the Beloved Disciple, one of the Sons of Thunder. The man was doing the Master’ s work in the Master’ s name and with the Master’ s power, but did not run with the group of the Twelve.

"Against you is for you" ( kath' hūmōn huper hūmōn ).

Mar 9:40 has "against us is for us"(hēmōn ... hēmōn ). The Koiné Greek ē and ū were often pronounced alike and it was easy to interchange them. So many MSS. here read just as in Mark. The point is precisely the same as it is a proverbial saying. See a similar saying in Luk 11:23 : "He that is not with me is against me."The prohibition here as in Mar 9:39 is general: "Stop hindering him"(mē kōluete , mē and the present imperative, not mē and the aorist subjunctive). The lesson of toleration in methods of work for Christ is needed today.

When the days were well-nigh come ( en tōi sumplērousthai tas hēmeras ).

Luke’ s common idiom en with the articular infinitive, "in the being fulfilled as to the days."This common compound occurs in the N.T. only here and Luk 8:23; Act 2:1. The language here makes it plain that Jesus was fully conscious of the time of his death as near as already stated (Luk 9:22, Luk 9:27, Luk 9:31).

That he should be received up ( tēs analēmpseōs autou ).

Literally, "of his taking up."It is an old word (from Hippocrates on), but here alone in the N.T. It is derived from analambanō (the verb used of the Ascension, Act 1:2, Act 1:11, Act 1:22; 1Ti 3:16) and refers here to the Ascension of Jesus after His Resurrection. Not only in John’ s Gospel (Joh 17:5) does Jesus reveal a yearning for a return to the Father, but it is in the mind of Christ here as evidently at the Transfiguration (Luk 9:31) and later in Luk 12:49.

He steadfastly set his face ( autos to prosōpon estērisen ).

Note emphatic autos , he himself , with fixedness of purpose in the face of difficulty and danger. This look on Christ’ s face as he went to his doom is noted later in Mar 10:32. It is a Hebraistic idiom (nine times in Ezekiel), this use of face here, but the verb (effective aorist active) is an old one from stērizō (from stērigx , a support), to set fast, to fix.

To go to Jerusalem ( tou poreuesthai eis Ierousalēm ).

Genitive infinitive of purpose. Luke three times mentions Christ making his way to Jerusalem (Luk 9:51; Luk 13:22; Luk 17:11) and John mentions three journeys to Jerusalem during the later ministry (Joh 7:10; Joh 11:17; Joh 12:1). It is natural to take these journeys to be the same in each of these Gospels. Luke does not make definite location of each incident and John merely supplements here and there. But in a broad general way they seem to correspond.

Sent messengers ( apesteilen aggelous ).

As a precaution since he was going to Jerusalem through Samaria. The Samaritans did not object when people went north from Jerusalem through their country. He was repudiating Mount Gerizim by going by it to Jerusalem. This was an unusual precaution by Jesus and we do not know who the messengers ( angels ) were.

To make ready for him ( hōs hetoimasai autōi ).

Hōs is correct here, not hōste . The only examples of the final use of hōs with the infinitive in the N.T. are this one and Heb 7:9 (absolute use). In Act 20:24 Westcott and Hort read hōs teleiōsō and put hōs teleiōsai in the margin (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1091).

And they did not receive him ( kai ouk edexanto auton ).

Adversative use of kai = But.

Because his face was going to Jerusalem ( hoti to prosōpon autou ēn poreuomenon eis Ierousalēm ).

Periphrastic imperfect middle. It was reason enough to the churlish Samaritans.

Saw this ( idontes ).

Second aorist active participle of horaō . Saw the messengers returning.

We bid ( theleis eipōmen ).

Deliberative subjunctive eipōmen after theleis without hina , probably two questions, Dost thou wish? Shall we bid? Perhaps the recent appearance of Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration reminded James and John of the incident in 2Ki 1:10-12. Some MSS. add here "as Elijah did."The language of the lxx is quoted by James and John, these fiery Sons of Thunder. Note the two aorist active infinitives (katabēnai , analōsai , the first ingressive, the second effective).

But he turned ( strapheis de ).

Second aorist passive participle of strephō , common verb, to turn round. Dramatic act. Some ancient MSS. have here: Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of (ouk oidate poiou pneumatos este ). This sounds like Christ and may be a genuine saying though not a part of Luke’ s Gospel. A smaller number of MSS. add also: For the Son of Man came not to destroy men’ s lives, but to save them (Ho gar huios tou anthrōpou ouk ēlthen psuchas anthrōpōn apolesai alla sōsai ), a saying reminding us of Mat 5:17; Luk 19:10. Certain it is that here Jesus rebuked the bitterness of James and John toward Samaritans as he had already chided John for his narrowness towards a fellow-worker in the kingdom.

A certain man ( tis ).

Mat 8:19 calls him "a scribe."Luk 9:57-60; Mat 8:19-22, but not in Mark and so from Q or the Logia.

Wherever you go ( hopou ean aperchēi )

is the present middle subjunctive with the indefinite relative adverb ean , common Greek idiom. See note on Mat 8:20 for "holes,""nests,""Son of man."The idiom "where to lay his head"(pou tēn kephalēn klinēi ) is the same in both, the deliberative subjunctive retained in the indirect question. "Jesus knows the measure of the scribe’ s enthusiasm"(Plummer). The wandering life of Jesus explains this statement.

And he said unto another ( eipen de pros heteron ).

Mat 8:21 omits Christ’ s "Follow me"(akolouthei moi ) and makes this man a volunteer instead of responding to the appeal of Jesus. There is no real opposition, of course. In Matthew’ s account the man is apologetic as in Luke. Plummer calls him "one of the casual disciples"of whom there are always too many. The scribes knew how to give plausible reasons for not being active disciples.

First ( prōton ).

One of the problems of life is the relation of duties to each other, which comes first. The burial of one’ s father was a sacred duty (Gen 25:9), but, as in the case of Tobit 4:3, this scribe’ s father probably was still alive. What the scribe apparently meant was that he could not leave his father while still alive to follow Jesus around over the country.

Leave the dead to bury their own dead ( aphes tous nekrous thapsai tous heautōn nekrous ).

This paradox occurs so in Mat 8:22. The explanation is that the spiritually dead can bury the literally dead. For such a quick change in the use of the same words, see Joh 5:21-29 (on spiritual resurrection from sin in Joh 5:21-27, on bodily resurrection from the grave, Joh 5:28-29) and Joh 11:25. The harshness of this proverb to the scribe probably is due to the fact that he was manifestly using his aged father as an excuse for not giving Christ active service.

But go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God ( su de apelthōn diaggelle tēn basileian tou theou ).

The scribe’ s duty is put sharply (But do thou , su de ). Christ called him to preach, and he was using pious phrases about his father as a pretext. Many a preacher has had to face a similar delicate problem of duty to father, mother, brothers, sisters and the call to preach. This was a clear case. Jesus will help any man called to preach to see his duty. Certainly Jesus does not advocate renunciation of family duties on the part of preachers.

And another also said ( eipen de kai heteros ).

A volunteer like the first. This third case is given by Luke alone, though the incident may also come from the same Logia as the other two. Heteros does not here mean one of a "different"sort as is sometimes true of this pronoun, but merely another like allos (Robertson, Grammar , p. 749).

But first ( prōton de ).

He also had something that was to come "first."

To bid farewell to them that are at my house ( apotaxasthai tois eis ton oikon mou ).

In itself that was a good thing to do. This first aorist middle infinitive is from apotassō , an old verb, to detach, to separate, to assign as a detachment of soldiers. In the N.T. it only appears in the middle voice with the meaning common in late writers to bid adieu, to separate oneself from others. It is used in Act 18:18 of Paul taking leave of the believers in Corinth. See also Mar 6:46; 2Co 2:13. It is thus a formal function and this man meant to go home and set things in order there and then in due time to come and follow Jesus.

Having put his hand to the plough ( epibalōn tēn cheira ep' arotron ).

Second aorist active participle of epiballō , an old and common verb, to place upon. Note repetition of preposition epi before arotron (plough). This agricultural proverb is as old as Hesiod. Pliny observes that the ploughman who does not bend attentively to his work goes crooked. It has always been the ambition of the ploughman to run a straight furrow. The Palestine fellah had good success at it.

And looking back ( kai blepōn eis ta opisō ).

Looking to the things behind. To do that is fatal as any ploughman knows. The call to turn back is often urgent.

Fit ( euthetos ).

From eu and tithēmi =well-placed, suited for, adapted to. "The first case is that of inconsiderate impulse, the second that of conflicting duties, the third that of a divided mind"(Bruce).

Called together

Matthew and Mark have called to.

Take ( αἴρετε )

Lit., lift , with a view of carrying away.

Staves

Following the reading ῥάβδους , for which read ῥάβδον staff.

Two coats ( ἀνά δύο χιτῶνας )

Lit., two apiece : the force of ἀνά , as in Joh 2:6.

There abide

See on Mat 10:10.

Shake off

See on Mat 10:14.

Throughout the towns ( κατὰ τὰς κώμας )

Rev., rightly, villages. The preposition is distributive, village by village.

The tetrarch

See on Mat 14:1.

That was done ( τὰ γινόμενα )

The present participle. Lit., all that is being done.

Was perplexed ( διηπόρει )

Used by Luke only. From διά , through, and ὰπορέω , to be without a way out. The radical idea of the compound verb seems to be of one who goes through the whole list of possible ways, and finds no way out. Hence, to be in perplexity.

He desired ( ἐζήτει )

Rev., he sought. He did more than desire.

Declared ( διηγήσαντο )

Related everything throughout (διά ). See on Luk 8:39; and Luk 1:1.

Bethsaida

Peculiar to Luke. It means Fishing-place.

Healed ( ἰᾶτο ) them that had need of healing (θεραπείας )

See on Luk 5:15.

And when the day began to wear away

Omit when. Render, and the day began, etc. To wear away (κλίνειν ) . Lit., to decline. Wyc., very literally, to bow down.

Lodge ( καταλύσωσιν )

Peculiar to Luke. Primarily the verb means to break up or dissolve. Hence often in New Testament to destroy (Mat 5:17; Mar 13:2). Intransitively, to take up one's quarters; lodge; either because the harness of the travellers' horses is loosed, or because the fastenings of their garments are untied. The kindred word κατάλυμα , a guest-chamber, occurs, Mar 14:14; or inn, Luk 2:7.

Victuals ( ἐπισιτισμόν )

Only here in New Testament. Properly a stock of provisions. Thus Xenophon. " Cyrus hastened the whole journey, except when he halted in order to furnish himself with supplies " (ἐπισιτισμοῦ ἕνεκα ) .

Desert ( ἔρημῳ )

See on Mat 14:15.

Give ye

The ye emphatic, closing the sentence in the Greek order. See on Mat 14:15.

Buy food

Compare Mar 6:37.

In a company ( κλισίας )

The plural, in companies. Lit., table-companies. The word is also used in classical Greek of a couch for reclining at table. Only here in New Testament. See on Mar 6:39.

Brake and gave ( κατέκλασεν - ἐδίδου )

Note the two tenses, as in Mar 6:41, and see note there.

To set before ( παραθεῖναι )

Lit., to set beside, since the table was at the side of the guest. A common word for serving up a meal. Compare Luk 10:8; Act 16:34. From the sense of placing beside, comes that of putting in charge, committing (Luk 12:48; Luk 23:46; 1Ti 1:18). Hence the kindred noun παραθήκη (2Ti 1:12), a deposit: that which f halve committed.

Were filled

See on Mat 5:6.

There were taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets ( καὶ ἤρθη τὸ περισσεῦσαν αὐτοῖς κλασμάτων κόφινοι δώδεκα )

The Rev. is more accurate, putting the comma after αὐτοῖς to them, instead of after κλασμάτων , fragments; and making the latter word depend on κόφινοι , bas kets. Render, therefore, And there was taken up that which remained over to them, of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

Baskets

See on Mat 14:20.

As he was praying

Peculiar to Luke.

Ye

Emphatic: " but ye, whom do ye say that I am?"

The Christ of God

Each evangelist gives Peter's confession differently. Matthew, The Christ, the Son of the living God. Mark, The Christ. See on Mat 16:15. On Christ, see on Mat 1:1.

He straitly charged ( ἐπιτιμήσας )

The word implies an emphatic, solemn charge; its meaning being, strictly, to lay a penalty upon one, and thence, to charge under penalty.

No man ( μηδενὶ )

The conditional negative: no man, whoever he might be.

Be rejected ( ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι )

The verb means to reject on scrutiny or trial, and therefore implies deliberate rejection.

Of the elders ( ἀπό )

Lit., from the side of; on the part of.

Will come after ( θέλει )

Not the future tense of the verb come, but the present of the verb to will: wills to come. See on Mat 1:19; and Mar 8:34. Rev., properly, would come.

Daily

Peculiar to Luke.

Will save ( θέλῃ σῶσαι )

The same construction as will come after (Luk 9:23). Rev., would save.

Life ( ψυχὴν )

See on soul, Mar 12:30.

Gain ( κερδήσας )

A merchant's word. Jesus is putting the case as a common-sense question of profit and loss.

Lose ( ἀπολέσας )

" When he might have been saved" (Bengel). This word, in classical Greek, is used: 1. Of death in battle or elsewhere. 2. Of laying waste, as a city or heritage. 3. Of losing of life, property, or other objects. As an active verb, to kill or demolish. 4. Of being demoralized, morally abandoned or ruined, as children under bad influences. In New Testament of killing (Mat 2:13; Mat 12:14). 5. Of destroying and perishing, not only of human life, but of material and intellectual things (1Co 1:19; Joh 6:27; Mar 2:22; 1Pe 1:7; Jam 1:11; Heb 1:11). 6. Of losing (Mat 10:6, Mat 10:42; Luk 15:4, Luk 15:6, Luk 15:8). Of moral abandonment (Luk 15:24, Luk 15:32). 7. Of the doom of the impenitent (Mat 10:28; Luk 13:3; Joh 3:15; Joh 10:28; 2Pe 3:9; Rom 2:12.

Cast away ( ζημιωθείς )

Another business term. The word means to fine, amerce, mulct; to punish by exacting forfeit. Hence Rev., correctly, forfeit his own self. See on win your souls, Luk 21:19. Also on Mat 16:26.

Shall be ashamed ( ἐπαισχυνθῇ )

The feeling expressed by this word has reference to incurring dishonor or shame in the eyes of men. It is " the grief a mail conceives from his own imperfections considered with relation to the world taking notice of them; grief upon the sense of disesteem" (" South," cit. by Trench). Hence it does not spring out of a reverence for right in itself, but from fear of the knowledge and opinion of men. Thus in the use of the kindred noun αἰσχύνη , shame, in the New Testament. In Luk 14:9, the man who impudently puts himself in the highest place at the feast, and is bidden by his host to go lower down, begins with shame to take the lowest place; not from a right sense of his folly and conceit, but from being humiliated in the eyes of the guests. Thus, Heb 12:2, Christ is said to have " endured the shame, " i.e., the public disgrace attaching to crucifixion. So, too, in the use of the verb, Rom 1:16 : " I am not ashamed of the gospel," though espousing its cause subjects me to the contempt of the Jew and of the Greek, to whom it is a stumbling-block and foolishness. Onesiphorus was not ashamed to be known as the friend of a prisoner (2Ti 1:16). Compare Heb 2:11; Heb 11:16. It is used of the Son of Man here by a strong metaphor. Literally, of course, the glorified Christ cannot experience the sense of shame, but the idea at the root is the same. It will be as if he should feel himself disgraced before the Father and the holy angels in owning any fellowship with those who have been ashamed of him.

His glory, etc

Threefold glory. His own, as the exalted Messiah; the glory of God, who owns him as his dearly beloved son, and commits to him the judgment; and the glory of the angels who attend him.

Taste of death

The word taste, in the sense of experience, is often used in classical Greek; as, to taste of toils, of sorrow, of freedom, but never of death. The phrase, taste of death, is common in Rabbinical writings. In the New Testament only here and Heb 2:9, used of Christ. Chrysostom (cited by Alford) compares Christ to a physician who first tastes his medicines to encourage the sick to take them.

The kingdom of God

See on Luk 6:20.

A mountain

Rev., the mountain. The tradition that this mountain was Tabor is generally abandoned, and Mount Hermon is commonly supposed to have been the scene of the transfiguration. " Hermon, which is indeed the centre of all the Promised Land, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt; the mount of fruitfulness, from which the springs of Jordan descended to the valleys of Israel. Along its mighty forest-avenues, until the grass grew fair with the mountain lilies, his feet dashed in the dew of Hermon, he must have gone to pray his first recorded prayer about death, and from the steep of it, before he knelt, could see to the south all the dwelling-place of the people that had sat in darkness, and seen the great light - the land of Zabulon and of Naphtali, Galilee of the nations; could see, even with his human sight, the gleam of that lake by Capernaum and Chorazin, and many a place loved by him and vainly ministered to, whose house was now left unto them desolate; and, chief of all, far in the utmost blue, the hills above Nazareth, sloping down to his old home: hills on which the stones yet lay loose that had been taken up to cast at him, when he left them forever" (Ruskin, " Modern Painters," iv., 374).

To pray

Peculiar to Luke.

Was altered ( ἐγένετο ἕτερον )

Lit., became different . Luke avoids Matthew's word, μεταμορφώθη , was metamorphosed. He was writing for Greek readers, to whom that word represented the transformations of heathen deities into other forms. See, for instance, the story of the capture of Proteus by Menelaus, in the fourth book of Homer's " Odyssey." See on Mat 17:2.

White ( λευκὸς )

In classical Greek very indefinite as an expression of color; being used, not only of the whiteness of the snow, but of gray dust. Its original sense is clear. All three evangelists use the word, but combined with different terms. Thus, Matthew, as the light. Mark, στίλβοντα , glistering (see on Mar 9:3). Luke, ἐξαστράπτων (only here in New Testament), flashing as with the brilliance of lightning. Rev., dazzling.

There talked ( συνελάλουν )

The imperfect is graphic; as the vision revealed itself, the two were in the act of talking.

This verse is peculiar to Luke.

Spake ( ἔλεγον )

Imperfect, were speaking.

Decease ( ἔξοδον )

The Rev. retains the word of the A. V., though it has, to modern ears, a somewhat formal sound. No word, however, could more accurately represent the original, which is compounded of ἐξ , out of, and ὁδός , a journeying; and thus corresponds to the Latin decessus, a going away, whence the word decease. The Greek word is familiar to us as exodus, applied principally to the migration of the Hebrews from Egypt, and thus used at Heb 11:22, departing. In the mouth of Christ it covers the ideas both of death and ascension. Peter uses it of his own death (2Pe 1:15, where see note).

He should accomplish ( ἔμελλεν πληροῦν )

Better, as Rev., was about to accomplish. " Accomplish," or " fulfil , " is very significant with reference to Christ's death. Moses and Joshua had begun an exodus from Egypt, but had not accomplished the going out of God's people from this present world. See Heb 3:18; Heb 4:8.

Heavy ( βεβαρημένοι )

The perfect participle. Lit., burdened or oppressed. " It was but natural for these men of simple habits, at night, and after the long ascent, and in the strong mountain air, to be heavy with sleep; and we also know it as a psychological fact, that, in quick reaction, after the overpowering influence of the strongest emotions, drowsiness would creep over their limbs and senses" (Edersheim).

As they were departing ( ἐν τῷ διαχωρίζεσθαι ἀυτοὺς )

Lit., in their departing. The verb only here in New Testament. The whole sentence is peculiar to Luke's narrative.

Master

See on Luk 5:5.

Let us make

See on Mat 17:4.

Tabernacles

See on Mat 17:4. " Jesus might have smiled at the naive proposal of the eager apostle that they six should dwell forever in the little succo=th of wattled boughs on the slopes of Hermon" (Farrar).

Not knowing what he said

Not implying any reproach to Peter, but merely as a mark of his bewilderment in his state of ecstasy.

A cloud

" A strange peculiarity has been noticed about Hermon, in the extreme rapidity of the formation of cloud on the summit. In a few minutes a thick cap forms over the top of the mountain, and as quickly disperses and entirely disappears" (Edersheim).

Overshadowed them ( ἐπεσκίαζεν )

A beautiful imperfect: " began to overshadow them;" thus harmonizing with the words, " as they entered into." Them (αὐτοὺς ) must, I think, be confined to Moses, Elias, and Jesus. Grammatically, it might include all the six; but the disciples hear the voice out of the cloud, and the cloud, as a symbol of the divine presence, rests on these three as a sign to the disciples. See Exo 14:19; Exo 19:16; 1Ki 8:10; Psa 104:3.

When the voice was past ( ἐν τῷ γενέσθαι τὴν φωνὴν )

Lit., in the coming to pass of the voice. Rev., when the voice came, with A. V. in margin.

Come down ( κατελθόντων )

Very frequent in Luke, and only once elsewhere: Jam 3:15.

Master ( διδάσκαλε )

Teacher.

Look upon ( ἐπίβλεψαι )

Only here and Jam 2:3. To look with pitying regard; and by medical writers of examining the condition of a patient.

Taketh ( λαμβάνει )

See on Mar 9:18.

Suddenly ( ἐξαίφνης )

Used only once outside of the writings of Luke: Mar 13:36. Naturally, frequent in medical writers, of sudden attacks of disease. Luke has more medical details in his account than the other evangelists. He mentions the sudden coming on of the fits, and their lasting a long time. Mr. Hobart remarks that Aretaeus, a physician of Luke's time, in treating of epilepsy, admits the possibility of its being produced by demoniacal agency. Epilepsy was called by physicians " the sacred disease."

Bruising ( συντρῖβον )

See on bruised, Luk 4:18. The word literally means crushing together. Rev. expresses the σύν , together, by sorely. Compare the details in Mark, gnashing the teeth and pining away (Mar 9:18). The details in Mar 9:21, Mar 9:22, we might rather expect to find in Luke; especially Christ's question, how long he had been subject to these attacks. See note on Mar 9:18.

Faithless

See on Mar 9:19.

Perverse

See on Mat 17:17.

How long ( ἕως πότε )

Lit., until when.

Suffer ( ἀνέξομαι )

Better as Rev., bear with . See Act 18:14; 2Co 11:1. The literal meaning is to " bear up (ἀνά ) under."

Threw him down ( ἔῤῥηξεν )

See on teareth, Mar 9:18.

Tare ( συνεσπάραξεν )

Only here in New Testament. Con vulse, which is the exact Latin equivalent, would, perhaps, be the nearest rendering. Σπαραγμός , a kindred noun, is the word for a cramp.

Astonished ( ἐξεπλήσσοντο )

See on Mat 7:28.

Mighty power ( μεγαλειότητι )

Used only by Luke and at 2Pe 1:16, on which see note.

He did ( ἐποίει )

Imperfect. Better, was doing.

Let these sayings sink down into your ears

Lit., put these sayings into your ears.

Shall be delivered ( μέλλει παραδίδοσθαι )

Rather, is about to be delivered.

A reasoning ( διαλογισμὸς )

A debate or discussion. See on Luk 24:38, and Jam 1:22; Jam 2:4.

He took a little child ( ἐπιλαβόμενος παιδίου )

Strictly, having laid hold of.

By him ( παῤ ἑαυτῷ )

Lit., by himself. Mark alone record the taking him in his arms.

In my name

See on Mat 18:5.

When the time was come ( ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι τὰς ἡμέρας )

Lit., in the fulfilling of the days. This means when the days were being fulfilled; not when they were fulfilled: when the time was drawing near. Rev., were well-nigh come. Luke is speaking of a period beginning with the first announcement of his sufferings, and extending to the time of his being received up.

That he should be received up ( τῆς ἀναλήμψεως αὐτοῦ )

Lit., the days of his being taken up: his ascension into heaven. Ἀνάλημψις , occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; but the kindred verb, ἀναλαμβάνω , is the usual word for being received into heaven. See Act 1:2, Act 1:11, Act 1:22; 1Ti 3:16.

A certain man

Matthew, a scribe.

Thou goest ( ἀπέρχῃ )

Lit., " goest away " (ἀπό ) . I will follow thee whithersoever-away thou goest.

Holes

See on Mat 8:20.

Birds ( πετεινὰ )

Strictly, flying fowl. The common word for bird in the New Testament. Ὄρνις , occurs Mat 23:37; Luk 13:34; but both times in the sense of hen . See on Mat 23:37. Ὄρνεον is found in Rev 18:2; Rev 19:17, Rev 19:21; and πτηνόν , another form for the word in this passage, occurs 1Co 15:30.

Nests

See on Mat 8:20.

Their dead ( τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς )

As Rev., their own dead.

Preach ( διάγγελλε )

Publish abroad, as Rev. διά , throughout all regions.

To bid farewell ( ἀποτάξασθαι )

In this sense the word is used only in later Greek. In classical Greek it signifies to set apart or assign, as a soldier to his post or an official to his office, and later to detach soldiers. Hence to dismiss one with orders. This latter sense may, as Kypke suggests, be included in the meaning of the word in this passage; the man desiring to return home, not merely to take formal leave, but also to give his final instructions to his friends and servants. Similarly, Act 18:18, of Paul taking leave of the brethren at Corinth, and, presumably, giving them instructions at parting. In the New Testament the word is used invariably in the sense of bidding farewell. Mar 6:46 is rendered by Rev. after he had taken leave of them. See note there, and compare Luk 14:33; 2Co 2:13.

Put his hand to ( ἐπιβαλὼν ἐπί )

Lit., having laid his hand upon.

Back ( εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω )

Lit., to things behind. " The figure is that of a man who, while engaged in labor, instead of keeping his eye on the furrow which he is drawing, looks behind at some object which attracts his interest. He is only half at work, and half-work only will be the result" (Godet).

Fit ( ἔυθετός )

Lit., well-placed: adjusted.

Mat 10:1; Mar 6:7.

That is, stay in that house till ye leave the city.

And soon after by Herod himself. Mat 14:1; Mar 6:14.

He could not rise again, because he did not die.

Mar 6:30.

Mat 14:15; Mar 6:35; Joh 6:3.

From the multitude.

When he had done praying, during which they probably stayed at a distance. Mat 14:13; Mar 8:27.

Ye must prepare for a scene far different from this.

The necessity of this duty has been shown in many places: the extent of it is specified here, daily - Therefore that day is lost wherein no cross is taken up.

Mat 16:25; Mar 8:35; Joh 12:25.

Mat 17:1; Mar 9:2.