Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Mark 14:44 - 14:44

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Mark 14:44 - 14:44


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

44. δεδώκει. No augment, as often (Mar 15:7; Mar 15:10, Mar 16:9; Luk 6:48, etc.). The omission is not rare in class. Grk, partly for convenience, but chiefly for sound. It is most freq. in compounds.

ὁ παραδιδούς. He who was betraying Him.

σύσσημον. A sign previously arranged, a concerted signal or token (A.V., R.V.); more definite than σημεῖον (Mar 13:4), which Mt. has here. The word occurs nowhere else in N.T. and is rare in LXX. The Sanhedrin did not wish to be embarrassed by arresting disciples, who would have little influence without their Master (Mar 14:27), and hence the necessity for a token by which He could be distinguished from them. Jn omits it; see on Joh 18:5. The reports of so exciting a scene, with such rapid action and in imperfect light, would be sure to differ considerably. But it is not likely that the kiss is a fiction. Few details in history have made such an impression on men’s minds.

φιλήσω. The meaning “kiss” is common in class. Grk and in LXX., but in N.T. it is used only of Judas; φίλημα is used of the “kiss of peace” in Paul and 1 Peter.

αὐτός ἐστιν. He is the man. Cf. Luk 24:21.

κρατήσατε αὐτόν. See on Mar 3:21, Mar 6:17.

ἀπάγετε ἀσφαλῶς. Cf. Mar 14:53, Mar 15:16; Act 12:19. Ἀπάγω frequently has the meaning of “arrest,” “take before a tribunal,” “put in prison” (Hdt. Plat. Dem. and also in papyri). For his own sake Judas would be anxious that there should be no failure; he could never face the Master again. Moreover he knew that Jesus possessed mysterious powers, and that hitherto he had always escaped; Mar 3:6, Mar 11:18; Luk 4:30; Joh 7:44-45; Joh 8:59; Joh 10:39; Joh 11:53; Joh 11:57; Joh 12:19. That Judas had warned the men whom he led of Christ’s supernatural power is not probable; but there was the possibility of rescue. Latin versions differ widely in their rendering of ἀσφαλῶς: caute (Vulg.), firmissime (f), diligenter (d), cum omni sollicitudine and cum monitione (some MSS. of Vulg.). Nearly all have ducite, but more accurately abducite (q).