Luk 19:39-20:7 | RWP | e4.org | Some of the Pharisees ( τινες των Φαρισαιων ). Luke seems to imply by "from the multitude" ( απο του οχλου ) that these Pharisees were in the procession, perhaps half-hearted followers of the mob. But speaks of Pharisees who stood off from the procession and blamed each other for their failure and the triumph of Jesus. These may represent the bolder spirits of their same group who dared to demand of Jesus that he rebuke his disciples.

‏ Luke 19:39-48

Some of the Pharisees ( τινες των Φαρισαιων ). Luke seems to imply by "from the multitude" ( απο του οχλου ) that these Pharisees were in the procession, perhaps half-hearted followers of the mob. But Joh 12:19 speaks of Pharisees who stood off from the procession and blamed each other for their failure and the triumph of Jesus. These may represent the bolder spirits of their same group who dared to demand of Jesus that he rebuke his disciples.

If these shall hold their peace ( εαν ουτο σιωπησουσιν ). A condition of the first class, determined as fulfilled. The use of εαν rather than ε cuts no figure in the case (see Ac 8:31; 1Th 3:8; 1Jo 5:15). The kind of condition is determined by the mode which is here indicative. The future tense by its very nature does approximate the aorist subjunctive, but after all it is the indicative.

The stones will cry out ( ο λιθο κραξουσιν ). A proverb for the impossible happening.

Wept ( εκλαυσεν ). Ingressive aorist active indicative, burst into tears. Probably audible weeping.

If thou hadst known ( ε εγνως ). Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω. Second-class condition, determined as unfulfilled.

Even thou ( κα συ ). Emphatic position of the subject.

But now ( νυν δε ). Aposiopesis. The conclusion is not expressed and the sudden breaking off and change of structure is most impressive.

They are hid ( εκρυβη ). Second aorist passive indicative of κρυπτω, common verb, to hide.

Shall cast up a bank ( παρεμβαλουσιν χαρακα ). Future active indicative of παρεμβαλλω, a double compound ( παρα, εν, βαλλω ) of long usage, finally in a military sense of line of battle or in camp. Here alone in the N.T. So also the word χαρακα ( χαραξ ) for bank, stake, palisade, rampart, is here alone in the N.T., though common enough in the old Greek.

Compass thee round ( περικυκλωσουσιν σε ). Future active indicative. Another common compound to make a circle ( κυκλος ) around ( περ ), though here only in the N.T.

Keep thee in ( συνεξουσιν σε ). Shall hold thee together on every side ( παντοθεν ). See about συνεχω on 4:38.

Shall dash to the ground ( εδαφιουσιν ). Attic future of εδαφιζω, to beat level, to raze to the ground, a rare verb from εδαφος, bottom, base, ground (Ac 22:7), here alone in the N.T.

Because ( ανθ' ων ). "In return for which things."

Thou knewest not ( ουκ εγνως ). Applying the very words of the lament in the condition in verse 42. This vivid prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem is used by those who deny predictive prophecy even for Jesus as proof that Luke wrote the Gospel after the destruction of Jerusalem. But it is no proof at all to those who concede to Jesus adequate knowledge of his mission and claims.

Began to cast out ( ηρξατο εκβαλλειν ). So Mr 11:15 whereas Mt 21:12 has simply "he cast out." See Mark and Matthew for discussion of this second cleansing of the temple at the close of the public ministry in relation to the one at the beginning in Joh 2:14-22. There is nothing gained by accusing John or the Synoptics of a gross chronological blunder. There was abundant time in these three years for all the abuses to be revived.

He was teaching ( ην διδασκων ). Periphrastic imperfect.

Daily ( το καθ' ημεραν ). Note the accusative neuter article, "as to the according to the day," very awkward English surely, but perfectly good Greek. The same idiom occurs in 11:3.

Sought ( εζητουν ). Imperfect active, conative imperfect, were seeking, trying to seek.

The principal men of the people ( ο πρωτο του λαου ). The first men of the people. The position after the verb and apart from the chief priests and the scribes calls special attention to them. Some of these "first men" were chief priests or scribes, but not all of them. The lights and leaders of Jerusalem were bent on the destruction ( απολεσα ) of Jesus. The raising of Lazarus from the dead brought them together for this action (Joh 11:47-53; 12:9-11).

They could not find ( ουχ ηυρισκον ). Imperfect active. They kept on not finding.

What they might do ( το τ ποιησωσιν ). First aorist active deliberative subjunctive in a direct question retained in the indirect. Note the article το (neuter accusative) with the question.

Hung upon him ( εξεκρεμετο αυτου ). Imperfect middle of εκκρεμαμα, an old verb ( μ form) to hang from, here only in the N.T. The form is an ομεγα form from εκκρεμομα, a constant tendency to the ομεγα form in the Koine. It pictures the whole nation (save the leaders in verse 47) hanging upon the words of Jesus as if in suspense in mid-air, rapt attention that angered these same leaders. Tyndale renders it "stuck by him."

‏ Luke 20:1-7

On one of the days ( εν μια των ημερων ). Luke's favourite way of indicating time. It was the last day of the temple teaching (Tuesday). Lu 20:1-19 is to be compared with Mr 11:27-12:12; Mt 21:23-46.

There came upon him ( επεστησαν ). Second aorist active indicative, ingressive aorist of εφιστημ, old and common verb, stood up against him, with the notion of sudden appearance. These leaders (cf. 19:47) had determined to attack Jesus on this morning, both Sadducees (chief priests) and Pharisees (scribes), a formal delegation from the Sanhedrin.

Tell us ( ειπον ημιν ). Luke adds these words to what Mark and Matthew have. Second aorist active imperative for the old form ειπε and with ending -ον of the first aorist active. Westcott and Hort punctuate the rest of the sentence as an indirect question after ειπον, but the Revised Version puts a semicolon after "us" and retains the direct question. The Greek manuscripts have no punctuation.

Question ( λογον ). Literally, word. So in Mr 11:29; Mt 21:24.

They reasoned with themselves ( συνελογισαντο ). First aorist middle of συλλογιζομα, to bring together accounts, an old word, only here in the N.T. Mark and Matthew have διελογιζοντο (imperfect middle of διαλογιζομα, a kindred verb, to reckon between one another, confer). This form ( διελογιζοντο ) in verse 14 below.

If we shall say ( εαν ειπωμεν ). Third-class condition with second aorist active subjunctive. Suppose we say! So in verse 6.

Will stone us ( καταλιθασε ). Late verb and here only in the N.T. Literally, will throw stones down on us, stone us down, overwhelm us with stones.

They be persuaded ( πεπεισμενος εστιν ). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of πειθω, to persuade, a settled state of persuasion, "is persuaded" (no reason for use of "be" here).

That John was a prophet ( Ιωανην προφητην εινα ). Accusative and infinitive in indirect assertion.

That they knew not ( μη ειδενα ). Accusative and infinitive in indirect assertion again with the negative μη rather than ου.