Bible Commentaries

Treasury

See on Mark 12:41.

Rich

Standing last and emphatically in the sentence,” Saw them that were casting, etc. - rich men. ” Not the rich only were casting in. Compare Mark 12:41.

Poor

See on Matthew 5:3.

Mites

See on Mark 12:42.

This poor widow

See on Mark 12:43.

Offerings of God

The best texts omit of God. Rev., more simply, unto the gifts.

Penury ( ὑστερήματος )

Lit.,lack. Rev., neatly, of her want.

sa40

Stones

See on Mark 13:1.

Offerings ( ἀναθήμασιν )

Only here in New Testament. From ἀνατίθημι ,to set up. Hence of something set up in the temple as a votive offering. Such were the golden vines presented by Herod the Great, with bunches of grapes as large as a man, and mounted above the entrance to the holy place. The magnificent porch of the temple was adorned with many such dedicated gifts, such as a golden wreath which Sosius offered after he had taken Jerusalem in conjunction with Herod; and rich flagons which Augustus and his wife had given to the sanctuary. Gifts were bestowed by princes friendly to Israel, both on the temple and on provincial synagogues. The word ἀνάθεμθ (Galatians 1:8, Rev.), is the same word, something devoted, and so devoted to evil and accursed. Luke uses the classical form. The other is the common or Hellenistic form. The two forms develop gradually a divergence in meaning; the one signifying devoted in a good, the other in a bad sense. The same process may be observed in other languages. Thus knave, lad, becomes a rascal: villain, a farmer, becomes a scoundrel: cunning, skilful, becomes crafty.

Behold ( θεωρεῖτε )

See on Luke 10:18.

Thrown down

See on Mark 13:2.

Deceived

Rev., rightly, led astray. See on Matthew 24:4.

In my name

See on Matthew 18:5.

Commotions ( ἀκαταστασίας )

From ἀ , not, and καθίστημι , to establish. Hence disestablishments; unsettlements. Rev., tumults.

Be not terrified ( μὴ πτοηθῆτε )

Only here and Luke 24:37.

By and by ( εὐθέως )

Better as Rev., immediately.

Earthquakes

See on Mark 13:7.

Famines and pestilences ( λιμοὶ καὶ λοιμοὶ )

Some texts reverse the order of the words. A paronomasia or combination of like-sounding words: limoiloimoiEspecially common in Paul's epistles.

Fearful sights ( φοβητρά )

Only here in New Testament, and rare in classical Greek. In Septuagint, Isaiah 19:17. Not confined to sights, but fearful things. Rev., better, terrors. Used in medical language by Hippocrates, of fearful objects imagined by the sick.

With perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring

The A. V. follows the reading ἠχούσης , the participle, roaring. The proper reading is ἠχοῦς the noun, the roaring. Render perplexity for the roaring of the sea, etc. Ἠχώ , roaring, is properly a returned sound, an echo. Generally a ringing sound, as of the blows on an anvil.

Waves ( σάλου )

Only here in New Testament. The radical notion of the word is unsteady motion, especially the rolling swell of the sea. Rev., better, billows.

Failing ( ἀποψυχόντων )

Only here in New Testament. The word originally means to leave off breathing; to swoon. Thus Homer, when Laertes recognizes Ulysses:

“He threw

Round his dear son his arms. The hardy chief,

Odyssey, xxiv., 846.

So also Sophocles, of Hector dragged behind Achilles' chariot:

“He breathed out his life ( ἀπέψυξεν βίον ).

Ajax, 1031.

Matthew alone uses the simple verb, ψύχω , to breathe or blow. See on wax cold, Matthew 24:12. Luke uses four compounds of this simple verb, all of which are peculiar to him. Compare cool, Luke 16:24; refreshing, Acts 3:19; gave up the ghost, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10.

Expectation ( προσδοκίας )

Only here and Acts 12:11.

The world

See on Luke 2:1.

Shall be shaken ( σαλευθήσονται )

Compare Matthew 11:7; Luke 6:38; Acts 4:31; Hebrews 12:26, Hebrews 12:27. The root of the verb is the same as that of billows, Luke 21:25.

Look up

See on Luke 13:11. Graphic, as implying being previously bowed down with sorrow.

Redemption ( ἀπολύτρωσις )

See on lettest depart, Luke 2:29.

Parable

See on Matthew 24:32.

Ye see ( βλέποντες )

Lit., “looking, ye know,” etc. Implying careful observation, with a view to determine the progress of the season.

Know ( γινώσκετε )

Perceive would be better.

Come to pass ( γινόμενα )

The present participle. Rev., more correctly, “coming to pass'” in process of fulfilment. Compare Mark 13:29.

Overcharged ( βαρηζῶσιν )

Weighed down. Compare Luke 9:32; 2 Corinthians 5:4.

Surfeiting ( κραιπάλῃ )

Only here in New Testament. Derivation uncertain: akin to the Latin crapula,intoxication. Trench finds an equivalent in fulsomeness, in its original sense offulness. In the medical writings it is used of drunken nausea or headache.

Drunkenness ( μέθῃ )

Compare are well drunk, John 2:10. This and kindred words in the New Testament always refer to intoxication, or that which intoxicates. See note on John 2:10.

Cares ( μερίμναις )

See on Matthew 6:25.

Of this life ( βιωτικαῖς )

The rendering is too general; though it might be difficult to give a better. Βίος , life, means life considered either as to its duration (1 Peter 4:3); the means of support (Mark 12:44; Luke 8:43; Luke 21:4; 1 John 3:17); or the manner of leading it (1 Timothy 2:2). The meaning here is pertaining to the support or luxury of life; and so in the only other passages where it occurs, 1 Corinthians 6:3, 1 Corinthians 6:4. The parallel is Matthew 6:31. Wyc., business of this life.

Suddenly ( αἰφνίδιος )

Only here and 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

As a snare

Join with the previous sentence: “come suddenly as a snare.” Compare entangle, Matthew 22:15.

Watch

See on Mark 13:33.

Abode ( ηὐλίζετο )

Only here and Matthew 21:17.

Came early in the morning ( ὤρθριζεν )

Only here in New Testament.