29. Of a strong man (roi icyupod). Rev. rightly gives the force of the article, the strong man. Christ is not citing a gen- eral illustration, but is pointing to a specific enemy—Satan. How can I despoil Satan without first having conquered him ?
Goods (cxevn). The word originally means a vessel, and so mostly in the New Testament. See Mark xi. 16 ; John xix. 29. But also the entire equipment of a house, collectively : chattels, house-gear. Also the baggage of an army. Here in the sense of house-gear. Compare Luke xvii. 31 ; Acts xxvii. 17, of the gear or tackling of the ship. Rev., lowered the gear.
32. The Holy Spirit (rod rvevparos tod dyiov). The Spirit —the holy. These words define more clearly the blasphemy against the Spirit, ver, 81.
35. Bringeth forth (éxBddrx). But the translation is fee- ble. The word means ¢o throw or Sling out. The good or evil things come forth out of the treasure of the heart (384). “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” The issues of the heart are zhrown out, as if under pressure of the abun- dance within.
Cu. XIILJ MATTHEW. 13
36. Idle (apyov). A good rendering. The word is com- pounded of &, not, and épyov, work. An idle word is a non- working word; an inoperative word. It has no legitimate work, no office, no business, but is morally useless and unprofit- able.
39. Adulterous (uovyanis). A very strong and graphic ex- pression, founded upon the familiar Hebrew representation of the relation of God’s people to him under the figure of marriage. See Ps. Ixxiii. 27; Isa. lvii. 3 sqq.; Isii. 5; Ezek. xxiii. 27. Hence idolatry and intercourse with Gentiles were described as adultery ; and so here, of moral unfaithfulness to God. Com- pare James iv. 4; Apoe. ii. 20 sqq. Thus Dante:
‘Where Michael wrought Vengeance upon the proud adultery.”’ Inf., vii., 12.
40. The whale (rod «jrovs). A general term for a sea-mon- ster.
41. Shall rise up (dvactyjcovra). Rev., stand up. Come forward as witnesses. Compare Job xvi. 9, Sept.; Mark xiv. 57. There is no reference to rising from the dead. Similarly shall rise up, ver. 42. Compare Matthew xi. 11; xxiv. 11.
A greater (Aciov). Lit., something more. See on ver. 6.
49. Disciples (ua9ntas). Not the apostles only, but all who followed him in the character of learners. The Anglo-Saxon renders learning knights.