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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Matthew 25:9 - 25:9
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Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you (mēpote ou mē arkesei hēmŒn kai humŒn). There is an elliptical construction here that is not easy of explanation. Some MSS. Aleph A L Z have ouk instead of ou mē. But even so mē pote has to be explained either by supplying an imperative like ginesthō or by a verb of fearing like phoboumetha (this most likely). Either ouk or ou mē would be proper with the futuristic subjunctive arkesei (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 192; Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1161, 1174). “We are afraid that there is no possibility of there being enough for us both.” This is a denial of oil by the wise virgins because there was not enough for both. “It was necessary to show that the foolish virgins could not have the consequences of their folly averted at the last moment” (Plummer). It is a courteous reply, but it is decisive. The compound Greek negatives are very expressive, mēpote - ou mē.