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Mat 23:23. Ἀποδεκατοῦτε, κ.τ.λ., ye tythe, etc.) And command others to tythe; cf. in Mat 23:24 the expression “guides.”-ἡδύοσμον,[1003] mint) not only grain but herbs.-κύμινον, cummin) which is proverbially a small thing.-ἈΦΉΚΑΤΕ, Κ.Τ.Λ., have omitted, etc.) sc. long since; or also, ye have remitted to others, by your silence.-βαρύτερα, weightier) These questions belong to comparative theology. Three weightier matters are enumerated in contrast with three smaller matters. Concerning these weightier matters, see Sirach 4. He, and he alone, who does not neglect these, may judge rightly in smaller matters.-ΤῊΝ ΚΡΊΣΙΝ, judgment) by which men distinguish between good and evil, and in either of them between weightier and smaller matters; see the Gnomon on ch. Mat 12:18, and Mat 16:3; Luk 12:57; 1Co 11:31; Mic 6:8.-τὸν ἔλεον, mercy) See ch. Mat 9:13.-ΤῊΝ ΠΊΣΤΙΝ, faith) sc. sincerity, which is opposed to hypocrisy: for those who, in ch. Mat 24:51, are called hypocrites, are called unbelievers (infideles) in Luk 12:46. Cf. 1Ti 4:2-3. There are clearly these three principal heads, Judgment, Mercy, Faith: and divisions of theological topics ought to have been arranged under such heads as those which Scripture itself lays down, as in Joh 16:8; Rom 3:27; 1Co 13:13; 1Th 4:9; 1Th 5:1;[1004] Heb 6:1-2.-ΜῊ ἈΦΙΈΝΑΙ, not to omit) corresponding with ἀφήκατε, ye have omitted; and therefore ταῦτα, these, refers to mint, etc.-ἐκεῖνα, those, to judgment, etc.; and the words, ταῦτα ἔδει ποιῆσαι, these ought ye to have done, express approbation of their conduct in this matter;[1005] whilst the words ΚἈΚΕῖΝΑ ΜῊ ἈΦΊΕΝΑΙ, and not to leave the other undone, belong to the indictment. In Greek οὗτος and ἘΚΕῖΝΟς, in Latin hic and ille (this and that), are frequently employed with reference, not to the order of the words, but to the nature of the things. See my note to Chrysostom on the Priesthood, pp. 509, 510.
[1003] On this word Bengel, in his Apparatus Criticus, has the remark:-“מנתא Hebr. ex Lat.,” sc. mentha; from which also our English word, mint.-(I. B.)
[1004] There is evidently some mistake in the references to Romans and Thessalonians-a mistake which I have bestowed much labour to correct, but in vain. For the reference to 1Th 5:1, I would suggest 1Th 5:8.-(I. B.)
[1005] Truly, even in the smallest things remarkable and pre-eminent grace may exhibit itself, Mar 12:42.-V. g.