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Luk 11:41. Πλὴν) Although the exterior thing has been made by Him by whom the interior has been made: nevertheless in the case of man, who has contracted uncleanness, the footing on which the exterior stands, which does not in itself defile, is different from that on which the interior stands, which is in the greatest degree in need of purification.-τὰ ἐνόντα) An anonymous writer in Suidas (V. ἐνόν) says: θυσίαν ἐκ τῶν ἐνόντων καὶ παρόντων προσαχθεῖσαν, a sacrifice brought of the animals which were there, and which he had; as is observed by Pricæus, whom see on this passage. Therefore τὰ ἐνόντα are not τὸ ἔσωθεν, but articles of food and drink which are in the vessels. Supply κατά.-δότε, give) The more usual expression is ποιεῖν, to do alms: but in this place give, used (as in ch. Luk 12:33) in antithesis to rapaciousness [ravening: Give is antithetic to rapaciously snatch, implied in ἁρπαγῆς], Luk 11:39.-καὶ ἰδοῦ, and behold) He does not say, and then, but and behold; and presently after, not shall be [in consequence], but are. Therefore He does not say, that it is by giving alms in particular that cleanness or purity is to be gained for one’s food and drink; but that purity exists in the creature of God in itself (that is, in the food and drink regarded per se in itself): that all that is effected by the alms when given, not by the washing of hands, is that the stain is wiped away, which the Pharisees had contracted by their rapacity.[112]-πάντα καθαρὰ) all things, which are in the cup and the dish, are clean unto you. For God hath made all these things: Luk 11:40. None of these things defileth a man: Mat 15:11.
[112] i.e. Having been guilty of rapacity, and having found pardon through repentance and faith, the only outward amends which one can make to his neighbour, as a fruit of faith and a pledge of sanctification, is, besides restoration of what has been wrongfully taken, almsgiving.-ED. and TRANSL.