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Mat 16:3. Ὑποκριταὶ,[710] hypocrites) The hypocrisy was their greater skill in natural than in spiritual things; for they who have the former have much less excuse than dull men for being wanting in the latter, although they are often wanting in it. For an example of both united, see ch. Mat 2:2.-πρόσωπον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, the countenance of the sky) not face. A man’s countenance varies, his face is always the same. An instance of Prosopopœia,[711] as just before in the word ΣΤΥΓΝΆΖΩΝ, lowering.-τὰ σημεῖα τῶν καιρῶν, the signs of the times) i, e., those which are suitable to (congruentia) each time. Our Lord indicates, that not only are times to be distinguished by their signs, but also signs by the character of the times, and signs and the kinds of them from each other. For the mode of God’s dealing with man[712] is various-by various doctrines, persons, signs, times-all of which correspond among themselves: wherefore different signs suit different times. Those signs, less splendid indeed, but such as were altogether beneficial to man on earth (see ch. Mat 9:6), were suitable to the Messiah then being on earth; see ch. Mat 8:17, Luk 9:54. Wherefore it was incumbent upon them to obtain proofs, not from heaven, but from themselves: see Luk 12:57. For the same reason, after His ascension our Lord did not exhibit signs on earth, as He had previously done.[713]-Οὐ ΔΎΝΑΣΘΕ; are ye not able?) sc. to distinguish sign from sign:-said with astonishment. If you wished it, you could do so most fully: as it is, you are prevented from doing so by a voluntary blindness.
[710] The larger Ed. gave more weight to the reading of this word than the margin of the second Edition: however, the Ver. Germ. has not rejected it.-E. B.
[711] i.e. Personification. See explanation of technical terms in Appendix.-(I. B.)
[712] “Influxus Dei in homines,” the influx of the Deity into and among men.-ED.
[713] Nor will hereafter signs be wanting from heaven.-B. G. V.
Rec. Text has ὑποκριταὶ with b. But CDLΔ ac Vulg. omit it. It is plainly an interpolation through the harmonies from Luk 12:56. Lachm. reads καὶ before τὸ μὲν with C. But Tischend. omits it, with DLΔ ac Vulg.-ED.