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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
C. (8) Illustrations of His parabolic teaching, 13:1-52.
13. The editor now comes to Mar_4.
(M) 1. On that day Jesus went (out of the house?), and sat by the sea.] Mk has: “And again He began to teach by the sea.”
ἐ ἐεν τ ἡέᾳ inserted to make the connection closer, as in 22:23 and as a substitute for Mk.’s πλνwhich Mt. often omits. ἐ τςοκα if genuine is a reminiscence of Mar_3:19b κὶἔχτιεςοκν which Mt. had omitted, but which still underlies 12:46; but D S1 a b e ff 12 g1 k omit ἐ τςοκα. B omits ἐ. C E al have ἀό The words are probably a gloss to explain ἐεθν—ἐάηο Mk. has ἤξτ δδσεν Mt. often avoids ἤξτ. For ἐάηο cf. 15:29. It is suggested here by the κθσα of the next clause in Mk.
(M) 2. And there were gathered to Him many multitudes, so that He embarked into a boat, and sat.) Mk. has: “And there is gathered to Him a very great multitude, so that He embarked into a boat, and sat in the sea.”—σνχηα] for Mk.’s hist. pres., as often.—ὄλιfor Mk.’s singular, as often. Mt. omits Mk.’s superfluous ἐ τ θλσῃ
(M) And all the multitude had taken its stand on the shore.] Mk. has: “And all the multitude were at the sea upon the land.”—ἐὶτναγαό] For αγαό cf. v. 48. Mt. avoids Mk.’s redundant “at the sea upon the land.” Cf. Introduction, p. xxiv.
(M) 3. And He spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went out to sow.] Mk. has: “And He was teaching them many things in parables, and He said to them in His teaching, Hear; Behold, the sower went out to sow.”
πλά Mt. generally omits Mk.’s adverbial πλά—ἐάηε] abbreviates Mk.’s ἐίακνκὶἔεε ατῖ ἐ τ δδχ ατῦ See Introduction, p. xxiv.—τῦσερι] for Mk.’s σερι Mt. has τῦwith inf. 7 times. The present tense emphasises the continuance of the action. See Blass, p. 196 f., and note on 11:1.
(M) 4. And during his sowing, some fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them.] Mk. has: “And it came to pass during the sowing, some (ὅ fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured it.”—ἅ Mk. has the singular. For Mt.’s preference for plurals, see on 8:26.—ἐθνακτφγν for Mk.’s ἦθνκὶκτφγν
(M) 5. And others fell upon the stony places, where they had not much earth; and immediately they sprang up, because they had not depth of earth.] Mk. has: “And other fell upon the stony place, and where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had not depth of earth.”—ἄλ] plural again, and so in πτώηfor Mk.’s ἄλ and πτῶε; see on 8:26. But Mk. has ἄλ in v. 8 and πτώηin v. 16.—ἄλ δ] for Mk.’s κὶἄλ, as often.
(M) 6. And the sun having risen, they were scorched; and because they had not root they withered.] Mk. has: “And when the sun rose,” etc.
(M) 7. And others fell upon the thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.] Mk. has: “And other (sing.) fell into the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it gave no fruit.”—ἄλ δ for Mk.’s κὶἄλ, as Often.—ἀένξν Mk. has σνπια. In Mt. אD have the simple verb, which occurs also in 18:28, Mar_5:13. ἀένξνmay be an assimilation to Lk.
(M) 8. And others fell upon the good ground, and was giving fruit.] Mk. has: “And others fell into the good ground, and was giving fruit, growing and increasing.” Mt. omits Mk.’s rather obscure last three words, see Swete.—ἄλ δ] for Mk.’s κὶἄλ, as often. ἐίis easier than Mk.’s ες “Some an hundred, and some sixty, and some thirty fold.” Mk. has: “And was bearing one thirty, and one sixty, and one an hundred fold.” Mk.’s εςἒ—ἕ is due to mistranslation of the Aramaic ע חאor Hebrew ח; cf. ע ח מה Gen_26:12 (Targ.) = an hundred fold, ח שע Dan_3:19 = sevenfold. Cf. Exp. Times, xiii. p. 330, and so now Wellhausen on Mt. Mt. has avoided the Aramaism by substituting ὅὅὅ
(M) 9. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.] Mk. has: “And He said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The words occur again in Mat_11:15 and 13:43.
1-9. Mt. and Lk. agree against Mk. in the following:
ὄλιπλο, Mat_2 = ὄλυπλο, Luk_4. Mk. has ὄλςπεσο.
τῦσερι, Mat_3 = τῦσερι Luk_5. Mk. has σεριalone.
ἐ τ σερι ατν Mat_4, Luk_5. Mk. has κὶἐέεοἐ τ σερι.
ὁἔω, Mat_9, Luk_8. Mk. has ὃ ἔε.
(M) 10. And the disciples came and said to Him, Why dost Thou speak to them in parables?] Mk. has: “And when He was in private, those who were around Him with the Twelve were asking Him the parables.” This is ambiguous. Lk. interprets it to mean, “asked Him the meaning of the parable.” In Mk. we must understand that vv. 10-33 refer to teaching on some occasion other than that implied in vv. 1-9, 35-36. This explains Mk.’s plural πρβλς On some other occasion the Twelve and others asked for an explanation of the parable of the Sower and of other parables. But Mt. prefers to treat Mk 10-33 as a part of the same scene as Mk. 1-9, Mar_1:35-36. He therefore omits “And when He was in private,” and changes “Asked Him about the Parables” into “Said to Him, Why dost Thou speak to them in parables?” For ποεθνε, see on 4:3.—ο μθτί “disciples” in a wide sense. Mt. thus avoids representing the Twelve as ignorant of the reason of Christ’s use of parables. See Introduction, p. xxxiii.
(M) 11. And He answered and said that, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to them it has not been given.] Mk. has: “And He said to them, To you the secret of the kingdom of God has been given, but to those outside all things happen in parables.”—μσήι] for the plural, see on 8:26. The singular might suggest that the very conception of the kingdom was something unknown. But the idea of the kingdom was current and familiar. Christ’s teaching about it contained, however, many things unfamiliar. Hence the plural. Mt. adds the explanatory γῶα.—δδτι Christ’s teaching about the kingdom had familiarised His disciples with many conceptions (μσήι) of its nature and near approach which remained unknown to the masses of the people.—μσήι] The word is used in the LXX. to denote a “secret”; cf. Wis 2:22 “the secrets of God,” To 12:7 “the secret of a king,” Jth 2:2 the same, 2 Mac 13:21. The representation of eschatological ideas, immortality of the soul, resurrection of the body, future judgement, Messianic kingdom as “secrets” revealed to the elect, is especially characteristic of the Apocalyptic and Sibylline literature, and the word in this sense has been adopted by the New Testament writers. See Armitage Robinson, Ephesians, pp. 234 ff. S1 a b e ff k omit τνορνν
ἐενι δ ο δδτι Mk. has the obscure ἐενι δ τῖ ἕωἐ πρβλῖ πναγντι which may perhaps mean, “all spiritual teaching is like an unexplained parable to the uninitiated,” or “to the multitude outside (the place where we are).”
(M) 12. For whosoever hath, there shall be given to him, and increased. But whosoever hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken from him.] Mk. has a similar clause in 4:25 “For he who bath, there shall be given to him; and he who hath not, there shall be taken from him even that which he hath.” Similar words occur in 25:29 in the parable of the Talents, and Mt. here adds κὶπρσεθστιto assimilate to that passage or in anticipation of κὶποτθστιὑῖ, Mar_4:24. Here the words seem to refer to spiritual opportunities. The disciples “had,” e.g., faith to receive the revelation of the secrets of the kingdom. Hence these secrets were entrusted to them. The masses of the people “had not” such capacity for divine truth. Hence these secrets were withheld from them, because the parabolic form in which Christ taught them only yielded its “secret” to those who already had some understanding of the nature of the secrets concerned. But the verse does not seem entirely applicable here, because it is difficult to give any adequate meaning to the last clause. The teaching in parables did not bring about the “taking away even what he hath.” Mt. has probably added them here in order to afford at least a partial explanation of Mk.’s obscure “all things happen in parables.”
(M) 13. Therefore I speak to them in parables: because seeing they do not see; and hearing they do not hear, nor understand.] Mk. has: “(Happen in parables) in order that seeing they may see, and not see; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest they should turn, and be forgiven.”
The verse in Mk. is an adaptation of Isa_6:9, Isa_6:10 ἀο ἀοστ κὶο ν σντ κὶβέε κὶο μ ἴηεμ πτ—ἐιτέωικὶἰσμιατύ. In the last clause Mk.’s κὶἀεῇατῖ is nearer to the Heb. ופ ל than to the LXX. As the words stand in Mk. they describe the purpose of the “all things happen in parables.” This may mean, “To the unspiritual masses of the people, who have no capacity for divine truth, the whole of life, and, in particular, all revelation of divine secrets, is like an unexplained parable, into the real meaning of which they never penetrate. And this condition of things fulfils the words of God to the prophet Isaiah, which described the spiritual condition of that generation.” A modern speaker would use terms of analogy rather than of purpose to connect the state of things before him with the Old Testament parallel. But in the New Testament any condition of things parallel to or analogous to a similar condition in the Old Testament is said to fulfil the terms which describe the latter. And the use of future tenses in the LXX. of Isaiah easily leads to the use of the passage as a prediction of future events rather than as the description of a present condition.
Mt., however, has explained the question of Mar_4:10 as asking after the reason of Christ’s use of parables, δὰτ ἐ πρβλῖ λλῖ ατῖ; and introduces this use of Isaiah’s language with the direct answer, “Therefore I speak to them in parables.” He cannot, therefore, continue with Mk.’s ἵα the effect of which would be to represent Christ’s speaking in parables as purposely adopted in order to prevent the people from understanding the teaching underlying them. The editor feels that this would be intolerable. He therefore changes ἵα into ὅι and substitutes indicatives for Mk.’s subjunctives. “I speak in parables, because the people are not able to receive nor to understand the ‘secrets’ when revealed in plain language.” “They see, and yet do not see; and they hear, and yet do not hear, nor understand.” Nothing is here said (as apparently in Mk.) of the object gained by the use of parables, but an explanation is given of the causes which made it necessary. But there is implied the inference that the object was to present the “secrets” of the kingdom in a form which would enable all such as had (v. 12) capacity to understand, to penetrate their meaning, whilst it would shroud these divine secrets from those who had no qualifications for appreciating them. In this way Christ fulfilled His own saying, “Give not that which is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine” (7:6). D S1 S2 a b c d e ff k add μ πτ ἐιτέωι from Mk.
14, 15. Mt. here introduces the direct quotation, which is indirectly employed in Mar_5:12.
(E) And there is being fulfilled for them the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, With hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. For the heart of this people was made fat, and with their ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they smeared; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn, and I should heal them.]
κὶἀαλρῦα ατῖ] We might expect the editor to use the formula ὅω (ἵα πηωῇτ ῥθν on which see Introduction, p. lxi. But that formula seems to have been characteristic of a special group of quotations which the editor had before him in a Greek form. In this case he himself has recourse to the LXX., in order to quote a passage which has been suggested to him by Mar_4:12. He therefore uses an introductory phrase of his own, which was suggested, no doubt, by the πηωῇof the recurring formula. The quotation which follows seems to be verbally identical with the LXX. of Isa_6:9-10, even to the unexpected fut. ind. ἰσμιof the last clause.
16-17. Cf. Luk_10:23-24, Mar_4:13.
(L) But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say to you, That many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which ye see, and did not see; and to hear the things which ye hear, and did not hear.] Mk. has: “And He saith to them, Do ye not know (οδτ) this parable, and how shall you understand (γώεθ) all the parables ?” Mt. omits this reproach (see Introduction, p. xxxiii), and substitutes for it a passage from the Logia containing a statement of the privileges of the disciples. This saying also occurs in Luk_10:23-24 in a different context (the return of the Seventy), and differently worded: “And turning to the disciples, privately He said, Blessed are the eyes which see the things which ye see; for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which ye see, and did not see; and to hear the things which ye hear, and did not hear.”
ὑῶ δ.] The ὑῶ is emphatic, and contains a direct contrast to those referred to in ατῖ, vv. 10-13, ἐενι, v. 11, and in vv. 13-15. “They” cannot understand the parablies, and that is why I use the parabolic method, because they are not capable of appreciating the “secrets” when plainly taught in literal language; “for they have blinded their eyes to the light of divine truth. But blessed are your eyes, for they see this divine light.”
(E) 18. Ye therefore hear the parable of the sower.] The words are inserted by the editor.—ὐες “Because your eyes see, you are able to understand and to receive the ‘secrets’ which the parable enfolds.”
(M) 19. In the case of every one who hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand, them comes the evil one, and wrests away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who was sown by the wayside.] Mk. has: “The sower sows the word. These are they who (are) by the wayside, where the word is sown. And when they hear, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which was sown into them.” Mk’s explanation of the parable suffers from condensation. “These are they who are by the wayside” interprets ὃμνἔεε πρ τνὁό, v. 4, i.e. the seed which fell by the wayside describes the case of the people who hear the doctrine and allow it quickly to be lost from their memory and understanding. Properly speaking, “that which fell by the wayside” is the doctrine, and the wayside represents superficial hearers; but Mk.’s loosely connected words seem to confuse the seed sown, i.e. the doctrine, with the people amongst whom it is sown, i.e. those who hear it. Mt. might have simplified by saying in his last clause, “This is, i.e. this is represented by, that which was sown by the wayside”; but he follows Mk.’s confusion between the seed sown and the people amongst whom it is sown. He adds κὶμ σνέτςto explain why the evil one succeeds in wresting the seed from them, and substitutes ἐ τ κρί ατῦfor Mk.’s harsher εςατύ—ὁπνρς as in v. 38.
(M) 20, 21. And he that was sown upon the stony places, this is he who hears the word, and straightway with joy receives it; but hath not root in himself, but is ephemeral; and when tribulation or persecution for the word cometh, straightway is made to stumble.] Mk. has: “And these are they likewise who are being sown on the stony places, who, when they hear the word, straightway with joy receive it; and have not root in themselves, but are ephemeral. Then when tribulation or persecution for the word cometh, straightway they are made to stumble.” There is here again the same confusion in Mk., followed by Mt., between the seed and the people amongst whom it is sown.—σαες and so in v. 22 for Mk.’s less suitable σερμνι Mk. has σαέτςin v. 20. ὁδ for κὶοτι and οκἔε δ for κὶοκἔοσν as often; τνλγνthroughout this chapter means the good news of the kingdom; cf. v. 19.
(M) 22. And he that was sown into the thorns, this is he who hears the word; and the care of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.] Mk. has: “And others there are who are being sown into the thorns. These are they who heard the word; and the cares of the world, and the desires concerning the rest, enter in and choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Again the same verbal confusion. Lk. here simplifies by substituting the neuter: “And that which was sown,” etc. Mt. omits κὶα πρ τ λιὰἐιυίιas being involved in ἡμρματῦαῶο. τῦαῶο probably implies the distinction between this and the coming age; see on 12:32.
(M) 23. And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands, who brings forth and produces fruit, some an hundred fold, and some sixty, and some thirty.] Mk. has: “And these are they who were sown upon the good ground, who hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit, one thirty fold, and one sixty, and one an hundred. Lk., again, has the neuter—“that which,” etc. σνες cf. v. 19, explains Mk.’s πρδχνα.—ὃὃὅ for Mk.’s ἕ—ἕ—ἕ. See on v. 8.—ὂδ] for Mk.’s κί as often.
The parable as it stands here seems to describe the reception of the word, or good news, or teaching (v. 19) about the secrets of the kingdom (v. 11) as taught by Christ. Some do not understand it (v. 19). Some cannot endure the persecution with which its disciples are assailed (vv. 20-21). Some are too much preoccupied by worldly pursuits to allow it to influence them (v. 22). But others welcome it, and become true disciples of the kingdom (v. 28); cf. v. 52.
10-23. Mt. and Lk. agree against Mk. in the following:
ο μθτί Mat_10; ο μθτὶατῦ Luk_9. Mk. has ο πρ ατνσντῖ δδκ.
ὁδ—επνγῶα τ μσήι, Mat_11, Luk_10. Mk. has κὶἔεε—τ μσήιν
ἐ τ κρί ατῦ Mat_19 = ἀὸτςκρίς Luk_12. Mk. has εςατύ.
δ, Mat_20, Luk_13; Mat_22, Luk_14; Mat_23, Luk_15. Mk. has κί
24-30. The tares.
(L) 24. Another parable He put forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field.]
ὡοώη The usual introduction of a parable in the later Jewish literature is: “A parable. To what is the matter like? To,” etc. See Bacher, Exeg. Term. i. 121, ii. 121. The use of parables is very common in this literature. Examples from the Mechilta may be seen in Fiebig, A1tjü Gleichnisse. All the parables in Mt. which are not borrowed from Mk. are introduced with the formula ὡοώηor ὁοαἐτ, except 25:14-30, which is introduced with a simple ὥπρ a method also used in the Jewish parables. Cf. Fiebig, p. 78.
(L) 25. And whilst men were sleeping, the enemy came and sowed tares in the midst of the wheat, and went away.]
(L) 26. But when the blade sprouted and made fruit, then appeared also the tares.]
(L) 27. And the servants of the householder came, and said to him, Lord, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? Whence, therefore, hath it tares?]
(L) 28. And he said to them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say to him, Dost thou wish, therefore, that we go and gather them?]
(L) 29. And he saith, No, lest as you gather the tares ye root up also with them the wheat.]
(L) 30. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather first the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them; but the wheat gather into my granary.]
ατ εςδσα L X ΔS1 S2 a b c g1 2 ff2 q omit ες D e f h k omit ατ. Epiph. quoted by Tisch. gives δσα δσα; cf. σμόι σμόι, Mar_6:39; and see Moulton, p. 97.
31. Mt. here omits Mk.’s added sayings, 4:21-25. He has already inserted a parallel to 4:21 in 5:15, and to 4:22 in 10:26. A parallel to 4:23 has already been given twice in 13:9= Mar_4:9, and in 11:15. A parallel to Mar_4:24 has been given in 7:2b, and to 4:25 in v. 12. This, therefore, brings the editor to 4:26-29.But it is probable that in the Logia he had before him a group of parables containing the Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the explanation of the Tares, the Hid Treasure, the Goodly Pearl, the Drag-net, and a conclusion. He turns now to this source, and borrows from it, thus omitting Mar_4:26-29, and substituting for 4:30-32 the similar parable of the Logia. After the third Logian parable, the Leaven, he turns back to Mk. and borrows Mk.’s conclusion, 4:33-34, before continuing with the explanation of the Tares from the Logia. Thus:
Mat_13.Mar_4.
Seed growing secretly, omitted 26-29.
Tares, 24-30 —
Mustard Seed, 31-32 substituted for 30-32.
Leaven, 33 —
Conclusion, 34-35 33-34.
It may seem strange that, having once abandoned Mk at 13:24, he should take the trouble to borrow from him 4:33-34, and that he should place this not after the Mustard Seed as in Mk., but after the Logian parable of the Leaven. By so doing he seems to introduce into his chapter two conclusions, 13:34-35 from Mk., and 51-52 from the Logia.
But let us suppose that the Logia contained two groups of three parables, separated by the explanation of the Tares, and ended with the conclusion, vv. 51-52. Thus:
13:24-30 Tares First group.
31-32 Mustard Seed First group.
33 Leaven First group.
36-43 Explanation of Tares.
44 Hid Treasure Second group.
45-46 Goodly Pearl Second group.
47-50 Draw Net Second group.
Of course, the difficulty here is in the position of the explanation of the Tares. Why does it not stand immediately after the parable? Moreover, the reference to the house, v. 36, is improbable as a feature of the Logia. In any case this is probably due to the editor. It does not help us to attribute the whole of vv. 36-43 to the editor, because the position of the section remains a difficulty, and because the section is characterised throughout by phrases which are probably due to the Logia.
It is easiest, therefore, to suppose that the Logian parables were arranged as above in two groups of three, separated by the explanation of the Tares. The editor having once deserted Mk., inserts the first group of three, and then adds Mk.’s conclusion. He did not place it immediately after the mustard seed, where Mk. has it, because he did not care to break up the grouping into three. For his liking for this arrangement, see Introduction, p. lxv.
31, 32. Cf. Mar_4:30-32, Luk_13:18, Luk_13:19.
(LM) 31. Another parable He put forth to them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field.] Mk. has: “And He said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God, or in what parable shall we set it forth? As a grain of mustard seed?”
ὁοαἐτν see on v. 24. Mt. avoids Mk.’s redundancy; cf. Introduction, p. xxiv. For Mk.’s ὡ, cf. 25:14, and see on v. 24.
(LM) 32. Which indeed is less than all seeds. But when it has grown it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the heaven come and lodge in its branches.] Mk. has: “Which when it is sown upon the earth, though it is less than all seeds which are upon the earth, and when it is sown, grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and makes great branches, so that the birds of the heaven are able to lodge under its shadow.”
ὃμκόεο μνἐτν Mt. simplifies Mk.’s harsh construction, ὃ—μκόεο ὄ. He also avoids the repetition of ὅα σαῇand ἐὶτςγς—κτσηον cf. Psa_104:12.—ἐ τῖ κάοςατῦ Mk. has ὑὸτνσινατῦ Both expressions are used of birds in connection with trees. For ὑὸτνσινατῦ cf. Eze_17:23; and for ἐ τῖ κάοςατῦ Dan_4:18 Th. The latter phrase expresses more suitably here the size of the tree.
Mt. and Lk. have several agreements in this parable as against Mk.; cf. ὁοαἐτν Mt. Lk. ὃ λβνἄθωο ἔπιε ἐ τ ἀρ ατῦ Mt. = ὃ λβνἄθωο ἔαε εςκπνἐυο, Lk. αξθ, Mt.=ηξσν Lk.; δνρν Mt. Lk.—ἐ τῖ κάοςατῦ So far as Mt. goes, these variations from Mk. might be easily explained as editorial revisions of Mk.’s text. But his omission of Mar_4:26-29, combined with these variations and with the fact that the interpretation of the Tares does not immediately follow that parable, but comes later, after other parables in vv. 36-43, suggests that he borrowed the whole section 24-52 (excepting v. 34) from the Logia. In that case, when he came to Mar_4:26 he turned to his other source for all that follows down to v. 52. His variations from Mar_4:30-32 are then due chiefly to the fact that this parable stood in the Logia in a form which differed from that of Mk. Lk. at 8:18 omits Mar_4:26-34, but has the parable of the Mustard Seed combined with that of the Leaven later in his Gospel at 13:18-21. He probably, therefore, borrowed them from a non-Marcan source, which may have been the first Gospel, or a source which contained these two parables in the same order and largely in the same language as the Logia.
The parable seems to describe the future propagation of the word or doctrine of the kingdom. Starting from small beginnings in the teaching of Christ, it will spread rapidly and win many adherents.
31, 32. Mt. and Lk. agree against Mk. in the following:
ὁοαἐτνὃ λβνἄθωο—ατῦ Mt 31, Luk_18:19.
αξθ, Mt 32 = ηξσν Luk_19. Mk. has σαῇ
δνρν Mt 32 = εςδνρν Luk_19. Mk. has μῖο πνω τνλχνν
ἐ τῖ κάοςατῦ Mt 32, Luk_19. Mk. has ὑὸτνσινατῦ
33. Cf. Luk_13:20, Luk_13:21.
(L) Another parable He spake to them; The kingdom of the heavens is like to leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.] Lk. has: “And again He said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like to leaven,” etc.—ὁοαἐτν for this and for Lk.’s τν ὁοώωὁοαἐτν see on v. 24. The parable, like that of the Mustard Seed, describes the propagation of the doctrine of “the kingdom.” Like leaven, this will spread rapidly until it has accomplished the purpose for which it was taught.
34. The editor now inserts Mk.’s conclusion, 4:33-34.
(M) 34. All these things spake Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable He was speaking nothing to them.] Mar_4:33, Mar_4:34 has: “And with many such parables He was’ speaking to them, as they were able to hear. And without a parable He was not speaking to them. But privately He was interpreting all things to His disciples.” Mt. has omitted Mk 33b and 34b on account of the ambiguity of 33b “as they were able to hear.”
35. He now adds one of the series of quotations from which he has elsewhere borrowed.
(O) 35. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.]—ὅω πηωῇ see Introduction, p. lxi, and on 1:22. The quotation is from Psa_77:2. The LXX. there has: ἀοξ ἐ πρβλῖ τ σόαμυ φέξμιπολμτ ἀʼἀχς The first clause of the Gospel quotation betrays reminiscence of the LXX., the second clause appears to be an independent translation from the Hebrew. For ἐεγσα, cf. Psa_18:3; and for κκυμν, cf. 2 Mac 12:41. κτβλ κσο does not occur in the LXX., but here, 25:34, Luk_11:50, Joh_17:24, Eph_1:4, three times in Heb., 1 P. 1:20, and Rev_13:8 and 17:8. Cf. also Ass. Mos 1:14 “ab initio orbis terrarum” =πὸκτβλςκσο, with Charles’ note, p. 58. But see critical note on p. 154.
(EL) 36. Then having left the multitudes, He went into the house; and there came to Him His disciples, saying, Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.] —ττ] see on 2:7.—ἀες as in 26:44, 22:22.—εςτνοκα] cf. 13:1. Mt.’s references to place in this chapter are very vague; vv. 2-9 were spoken in the boat. ποεθνε, v. 10, may or may not suggest a change of scene, but in the former case nothing is said of the disembarkation nor of the scene of the following section, 10-35. The reference here to τὺ ὄλυ suggests that the whole of 2-35 was spoken in the boat. If so, christ now disembarks and returns to the house. Since the reference to the boat and the house are borrowed from Mk., it seems probable that ττ ἀεςοκα is an editorial insertion to introduce the explanation of the Tares.—ποῆθν see on 4:3.—δαάηο].The verb occurs again in 18:31, a probable Logian passage. It is found in Deu_1:5, Dan_2:6 LXX., 1 Mac 12:8, and several times in 2 Mac.
(L) 37. And He answered and said, He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.]
(L) 38. And the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one.]—ο υο τςβσλίς i.e. those who are qualified to enter into it; cf. “Son of the coming world,” Taanith 22a, and other phrases quoted by Dalm. Words, p. 115. The phrase is used with rather a different application in 8:12. There it means “those who were chosen to enter the kingdom, but have failed to justify the choice.”
(L) 39. And the enemy who sowed them is the devil; and the harvest is the consummation of the age; and the reapers are angels.]—σνέεααῶο] The phrase occurs in vv. 40, 49, 24:3 and 28:20. In the two latter it seems to have been inserted by the editor into his source. If this section is Logian, the phrase in 24:3 and 28:20 will be due to the influence of Logian language on the editor. If this section is wholly editorial the phrase points to the Jewish origin of the editor, for it is characteristic of Jewish, especially of apocalyptic, literature. It occurs in Heb_9:26. Cf. σνέεατναώω, Test. Lev_10; “consummation of the age,” Apoc. Bar 83:7; “consummation of the world,” 54:21; Dan_12:13 σνέεα ἡεῶ; “consummation of the times,” Apoc. Bar 13:3, 27:15; “of time,” 29:8; “the day when the great consummation of the great world will be consummated,” Enoch 16:1; “the end of this time,” 2 Es 7:113; “the consummation of the end of the days,” Ass. Mos 1:18. Cf. Dalm. Words, p. 155; Volz, Jü Eschat. p. 166.—ἄγλι cf. 24:31.
(L) 40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned with fire; so shall it be at the consummation of the age.]
(L) 41. The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather together out of His kingdom all stumbling-blocks, and they who do lawlessness.]—ἀοτλῖ cf. 24:31.—ἐ τςβσλίςατῦ This must not be interpreted in such a way as to suggest that the kingdom is conceived of as a present condition of things within which tares and wheat grow together. When the Son of Man has come, then the kingdom also will have come. Hence at that future date the tares can be said to be gathered out of His kingdom.
(L) 42. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth.]—κμνντῦπρς only again in v. 50 a Logian passage; cf. “furnace of Gehenna,” 2 Es 7:36, and see Volz, Jü Eschat. p. 285.—ἐε ἔτι κτλ See on 8:12.
(L) 43. Then the righteous shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.]
ττ] see on 2:7.—ο δκιιἐλμοσν Cf. Dan_12:3 Th. κὶο σνέτςλμοσνκὶἀὸτνδκίν—ὡ ὁἥις cf. references on 17:2, and add Ecclus 50:7 ὡ ἥιςἐλμω; Ep. Jer 66.—ὁἔω, κτλ A similar refrain occurs in 11:15, 13:9.
The parable deals with the period prior to the future establishment of the kingdom, during which Christ and His disciples preach its “secrets” and announce its coming. See Introduction, p. lxx.
35. Add Ἠαο, א curss. and MSS. known to Eus. and Jer. Omit א B C D S1 S2. The word is certainly not genuine.—κτβλςκσο] א B 1 22 k omit κσο. S1 S2 have “from of old” ܕܢܩܝ, assimilating to the Syriac and to the Hebrew of the Psalm, which has מיקם It seems probable that Mt. wrote κτβλς that S1 and S2 assimilated to the Hebrew, and that the mass of authorities have added κσο to assimilate to the general usage of the N.T.
36. δαάηο] א B; φάο א C D al S1 S2 ܦܩprobably implies δαάηο.
44-50. Three Parables from the Logia.
(L) 44. The kingdom of the heavens is like treasure hidden in the field; which a man found and hid, and from joy goes and sells all that he hath, and buys that field.] This and the following parable deal rather with the nature of the doctrine of “the kingdom” than with the method of its propagation, as in the previous parables. The good news of the kingdom is of such value that men will give up everything else to accept it.
(L) 45, 46. Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a merchant, seeking goodly pearls. And having found one precious pearl, he went and sold all that he hath, and bought it.]
ὁοαἐτ] see on v. 24.—ἀθώῳἐπρ] cf. ἀθώῳβσλῖ 18:23, 22:2; cf. ἀθώῳοκδσόῃ 13:52, 21:33.
(L) 47. Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a net, cast into the sea, and gathering of every kind.]
(L) 48. Which, when it was filled, they drew to the shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away.]—ἄγ] so אB C M*. ἀγῖ, D E F al ἀγῖνoccurs again in 25:4. S1 S2 have “the good as good” for τ κλ εςἄγ; see Burkitt.
(L) 49, 50. So shall it be at the consummation of the age: the angels shall go forth, and shall separate the evil from the midst of the righteous, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the wailing and the gnashing of teeth.]
σνεεᾳ see on v. 39.—κμνν see on v. 42.—ἐε ἔτι κτλ see on 8:12.
(L) 51, 52. Have ye understood all these things? They say to Him, Yea. And He said to them, Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of the heavens is like a householder, who brings out of his treasure new things and old things.]—πςγαμτύ] Christ’s disciples were to be disciples and teachers of His doctrine, just as were the Jewish scribes of the Law and of the traditions; cf. 23:34 where He describes His disciples as “prophets and wise men and scribes.”—μθτυες only here passive, no doubt corresponds to תמד a scholar or disciple.—ἀθώῳοκδσόῃ see on v. 45. The thought seems to be of a house steward, who brings from his household stores, new and old things, food, raiment, etc., as and when they are needed for household use. Just so Christ’s disciples who had learned from Him the secrets of the kingdom, i.e. the truths about its near approach, the qualities which befitted those who should enter into it, and the separation between bad and good which would be made at its coming, were to be teachers of others. In this respect they would be as stewards, bringing out of the stores of their newly acquired knowledge, truths new and old, as was necessary to the requirements of those who wished to learn from them.
(9) Various incidents, 13:53-15:20, borrowed from Mk.
(E) 53. And it came to pass, when Jesus finished these parables.] For this formula, see Introduction, p. lxiv.
54. The editor left Mk at 4:34. Having already inserted 4:35, 5:48, he comes to 6:1-6a which he now borrows.
(E) He departed thence, and came into His native town, and was teaching in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these miracles?] Mk. has: “And He went forth thence, and cometh into His native town; and His disciples follow Him. And when the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue. And the multitude (ο πλο) hearing were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? And what is this wisdom which is given to Him, and the miracles such as happen through His hands?
μτρνἐεθν μτρνoccurs again in 19:1 for Mk.’s ἔχτι here for Mk.’s ἐῆθν ἐεθνin Mk. refers to the house of Jairus; here, to the house of Mat_13:36.—εςτνπτίαατῦ in Mk. apparently means Nazara, cf. Mar_1:9, and so, no doubt, in Mat_2:23.—ἐθν Mt. as usual avoids Mk.’s hist. pres. ἔχτι and omits κὶἀοοθῦι ο μθτὶατῦas unnecessary, since the disciples are not mentioned in the incident that follows, and κὶγνμνυσβάο as unnecessary, since no further reference is made to the sabbath.—ἐίακν Mt. avoids Mk.’s ἤξτ, as often.—πθντύῳἡσφαατ] Mt., as often, dovetails together two clauses of Mk., see Introduction, p. xxiv; but in this case compensates by repeating the phrase in the next verse but one in a slightly different form, πθνοντύῳτῦαπνα—κὶα δνμι] Mt. omits Mk.’s τιῦα δὰτνχιῶ ατῦγνμνιas otiose.
(M) 55. Is not this the Son of the carpenter? Is not His mother called Mary? and His brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and, Judas?] Mk. has: “Is not this the Carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon?” Mt. has substituted “the Son of the carpenter” for “the Carpenter,” from a feeling that the latter was hardly a phrase of due reverence. Mk.’s striking phrase “the Carpenter” is occasionally echoed in later writers; cf. Celsus ap. Origen, vi. 34: ἦ τκω τντχη. Origen, vi. 36, denies that Jesus was called τκω anywhere in the Gospels; Just Tryph. 88: τ τκοιὰἔγ ἠγζτ ἐ ἀθώοςὤ, ἄορ κὶζγ; Acts of Judas Thomas, ed. Wright, p. 159: “I know how to make ploughs and yokes.” This substitution explains why he has felt it necessary to change Mk.’s ὁυὸ τςΜρα. He might, of course, have simply substituted ΚὶΜρα; but it is questionable whether, whilst feeling no objection to “Son of Joseph” or “Son of the carpenter,” he would not have shrunk from “Son of Joseph (or the carpenter) and of Mary.” To the editor, Jesus was legally the Son of Joseph and physically the Son of Mary. He would probably avoid a phrase which seemed to describe Him as Son of Joseph in the same sense that He was Son of Mary. He therefore substitutes for ὁυὸ τςΜρά a paraphrase, οχἡμτρατῦλγτιΜρά; and this carries with it the change of κὶἀεφςἸκβυ κτλ into κὶο ἀεφὶατῦἸκβς κτλ
Since parentage in Palestine was always reckoned (and expressed) from the father, it may be argued with much probability that Mk.’s ὁυὸ τςΜρα implies either the death of Joseph, or, more naturally, an allusion to the supernatural circumstances of the birth of Jesus. The verse is entirely misquoted when it is used as an argument that S. Mark himself believed Jesus to be the natural Son of Joseph and Mary. He may have so believed, but no proof of such belief can be found in this passage.
Ἰσφ Mt. substitutes the old Hebrew name for Mk.’s Ἰσς The latter represents the Galilean יס; cf. Dalm. Gram.2 175.
(M) 56. And His sisters, are they not all with us? Whence, there fore, hath this man all these things?] Mk. has: “And are not His sisters here with us?”—πθνοντύῳτῦαπνα the words are an expansion of the clause omitted from Mar_2. See note on v. 54.—πὸ ἡᾶ] for Mk.’s ὧεπὸ ἡᾶ, see Introduction, p. xxiv. For ενιπό, see Abbott, Johannine Grammar, 2363a. 2364.—πό] implies the familiarity of daily intercourse.
(M) 57. And they were made to stumble in Him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his native town, and in his house.] Mk. has: “And they were made to stumble in Him. And Jesus said to them that a prophet is not without honour, save in his native town, and amongst his kindred, and in his house.” For σαδλζσα, see on 5:29.—ὁδ] as often for Mk.’s Κί see Introduction, p. xx.—επν as often for Mk.’s ἔεε. Mt. often omits Mk.’s ὅι cf. Introduction, p. xx.—οκἔτνποήη, κτλ cf. the similar sayings, Luk_4:24, Joh_4:44; and Sayings of Jesus, No. 6: οκἔτνδκὸ ποήη ἐ τ πτίιατῦ Mt. omits κὶἐ τῖ σγεεσνατῦ as implied in the next clause; see Introduction, p. xxiv.
(M) 58. And He did not do there many miracles because of their unbelief.] Mk. has: “And He could not do there any miracle, save that He laid His hands on a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief.” For the omission of ἐύαοand of ἐαμσν see Introduction, p. xxxi.
55. τκοο] S2 a b ff2 g1 h add “of Joseph”; S1 has “of Joseph” only. The true reading in Mk. seems to be ὁτκω ὁυὸ τςΜρα; so אB D Δ Mt. has changed from the motives above explained. The variants in Mk. are due to assimilation to Mt. Mt. has no objection to the phrase “Son of Joseph,” but might not unnaturally wish to avoid “the carpenter.”
The editor now comes to Mar_6:6-13. This he has already inserted (9:35ff.). So he passes to Mar_6:14-29. From this point in his Gospel the grouping of material taken from Mk. and elsewhere under subject-heads ceases to be observable. Henceforth he follows Mk.’s order, expanding it and adding to it other material.
M the Second Gospel.
S Syriac version: Sinaitic MS.
E editorial passages.
al i.e. with other uncial MSS.
Targ. Targum.
LXX. The Septuagint Version.
S Syriac version: Curetonian.
L the Matthæ Logia.
X passages in which Mt. and Lk. agree closely, borrowed from an unknown source or sources.
Th. Theodotion.
O quotations from the Old Testament borrowed from a collection of Messianic prophecies. See pp.61 f.
Dalm. Dalman.
Eus. Eusebius.