The mention of winter goes far to prove that the feast of dedi- cation must have been appointed in commemoration of the work of Judas Maccabeus. (Solomon's dedication was at Michael- mas, in the seventh month ; Ezra's about Easter, in the first month.
13. — [And Jesus walked.'] This must either mean that "it was the habit" of our Lord to walk, or else that "one day Jesus was walking." The latter seems the more likely sense.
[In the temple."} This means in the outer court, or area around the temple, which was a common place of resort for the Jews, and specially upon festivals. Here teachers expounded, and discussions on religious questions seem to have taken place. Here probably our Lord was found " among the doctors," hearing and asking questions, when he was twelve years old. (Luke ii. 4-6.)
[In Solomon's porch. .] The word " porch " rather means what we should call a verauda, or colonnade. It was one of those long covered walks under a roof supported by columns, on one side at least, which the inhabitants of hot countries appear to find abso- lutely needful. Singularly enough, one sect of heathen philoso- phers at Athens was called " Stoics," from its meeting in a place called " Stoa," here rendered a porch; while another was called " Peripatetics," from its habit of " walking about " during its discussions, just as our Lord did in this verse. The cloisters of a cathedral or abbey, perhaps, are most like the building calied a "porch " here.
Josephus says this porch was one of the buildings which re- mained partly undestroyed from Solomon's temple.
Tacitus expressly mentions it as one of the defences of the temple at the siege of Jerusalem.
24. — [Then came. ..Jews round.. .said.. .him.'] This would be more literally rendered, "encircled Him," or surrounded Him in a circle.
[How long... make... doubt. ~\ This would be more literally ren- dered, " Until what time dost Thou lift up our souls ? How long dost Thou keep us in a state of suspense and excitement? "
Eisner thinks it means, " How long dost Thou take away our life, (as at verse eighteen,) or kill us with doubt and perplexity ?" Suicer, Schleusuer, and Parkhurst, however, prefer, "hold us in suspense." (See marginal reading in Luke xii. 29.)
[If. ..Christ, tell us plainly.'] The Jews had no right to say they had not sufficient evidence that our Lord was the Christ. But nothing is more common with hardened and wicked men than to allege a want of evidence, and to pretend willingness to believe, if only more evidence was supplied.
" Plainly " here does not mean in plain language, and easily