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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Luke 18:22 - 18:22
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22. ἀκούσας. St Mark says that ‘looking on him, He loved him,’ or rather ‘was pleased with him.’ Some have rendered the words ‘He kissed him,’ since Rabbis in token of approval sometimes kissed a good scholar on the head; this, however, would require not ἠγάπησεν, but ἐφίλησεν. There was something gracious and sincere in the youth’s eagerness, and therefore Jesus gave him that test of something more high and heroical in religion which he seemed to desire, but to which he failed to rise.
ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει. In Attic poetry λείπω is used in the sense of ‘is lacking’ (ἐλλείπει) as here. This command to sell all and give to the poor was special, not general. The youth had asked for some great thing to do, and Jesus, by thus revealing to him his own self-deception, shews him that in spite of his spiritual pride and profession of magnanimity he is but trying to serve two masters. The disciples had already accepted the test, Luk 12:33, Luk 16:9. To the world in general the command is not to sell all, but “not to trust in uncertain riches, but to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate,” 1Ti 6:17-19.