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Mar_9:33-37. See on Mat_18:1-5. Comp. Luk_9:46-48. Only Mat_17:24 ff. has the history of the stater. Of subordinate importance, perhaps also belonging to a more local tradition, it seems to have remained unknown to Mark, with which view κ . ἦλθ . εἰς Καπ . in Mar_9:33 is not at variance (in opposition to de Wette).
Mark is more original in the historical introduction of the point in question, Mar_9:33 f., whereas Mat_18:3-4 has rightly completed the narrative from the collection of Logia, but has, on the other hand, withdrawn from the conclusion in Mar_9:5 its completeness, as it appears in Mark Mar_9:37 (Matthew has the thought already at Mar_10:40).
ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ] See Mar_9:30.
ἐσιώπων ] from being conscience—struck.
πρὸς ἀλλήλ .] emphatically prefixed: with one another, so that they one against the other claimed the higher place. It was not the general question τίς μείζων in abstracto, but the concrete question of personal jealousy in their own circle of disciples.
τίς μείζων ] This brief, certainly primitive, interrogation is in Matthew more precisely defined by ἐν τῇ βασιλ . τ . οὐρ . from the answer (Mar_9:3). This more precise definition, however, is not, with Beza, Heupel, and many others, to be imported also here, but it stands simply: who is of higher rank, although it is self-evident that they had also included in their view their position in the kingdom of heaven.
καθίσας ἐφών . τοὺς δώδεκα ] by way of solemn preparation.
If a man desires to be of the first rank, he must, etc. This ἔσται expresses the result (comp. on Mat_20:26 f.),—the state of things that will arise in consequence of that wish,—and thereby defines the right θέλειν πρῶτ . εἶναι .
Mar_9:36 does not come in unconnectedly (Weisse, Holtzmann), but the progression is: “Of all servants, even of the least, the affectionate reception of whom is a service shown to myself,” etc.
ἐναγκαλισ .] after he had embraced it. Comp. Mar_10:16. An original trait, which is only found in Mark. The verb occurs only in Mark, but is frequent in the classical writers.
Mar_9:37. οὐκ … ἀλλά ] not non tam … quam, but with conscious rhetorical emphasis the ἐμὲ δέχεται is absolutely negatived (comp. Mat_10:20), which is intended to denote in the strongest degree the importance of the reception of such a child (a child-like unassuming believer, see on Mat_18:5) to fraternal loving fellowship. See Winer, p. 439 ff. [E. T. 623 ff.]; Klotz, ad Devar. p. 9 f.