Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Matthew 12:45 - 12:45
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Mat 12:45. Τότε, then) sc. when he has reconnoitred it.-ἑπτὰ, seven) Therefore, counting him, there are eight. The fathers have numbered also eight deadly sins: see Columbanus,[589] and Goldastus[590] on him; also Ephraem Syrus,[591] f. ΥΚΒ. The seven, however, differ from that one in wickedness, perhaps also among themselves. The greater number includes the lesser numbers also disjunctively; cf. Luk 8:8, with Mat 13:8. Therefore, six spirits may occupy one, five another, four another, etc.-ΠΟΝΗΡΌΤΕΡΑ, more evil) i.e., operating with greater subtilty, not by violent paroxysms. There are, therefore, unclean spirits who are yet less evil than others; and there are other spirits exceedingly malignant.-κατοικεῖ; inhabit) make their habitation more perseveringly than before.-χείρονα, worse) Seven times worse and more.-καὶ, also) That which happened to the man in his body, shall be done to this generation spiritually.[592]
[589] ST COLUMBANUS was a native of Ireland, who flourished towards the close of the sixth and commencement of the seventh century. He was celebrated for his writings, theological and poetical, as well as for the extent and success of his missionary labours.-(I. B.)
[590] MELCHIOR GOLDASTCS VON HAIMENSFELD, a Swiss by birth, edited the works of St Columbanus, and others, in 1604. He was a laborious antiquarian and philologist. Born in 1576 or 1578; died in 1635.-(I. B.)
[591] EPHRAEM SYRUS was an eminent father of the Church, who flourished in the fourth century. He was born at Nisibis, where he became a pupil of St James, the celebrated bishop of that place. He went to Edessa A.D. 363, and, embracing a monastic life, retired to a cavern in one of the adjacent mountains, where he is said to have composed most of his works, which are very numerous. Some, however, are attributed to him, of which he was not the author. He obtained a high character for sanctity, and died in 378 or 379.
[592] Inasmuch as this generation has had so great a deliverance vouchsafed (offered) to it by the power of Christ.-V. g.