Cn, XXIV.) MATTHEW. 129
the walls by orders from the emperor; the Jews, absorbed in their party strifes, had totally neglected preparations to stand a siege ; the magazines of corn and provisions were burnt before the arrival of Titus. Titus arrived suddenly, and the Jews voluntarily abandoned parts of the fortification. Titus himself confessed that God was against the Jews, since otherwise neither his armies nor his engines would have availed against their defences.
24. Signs and wonders (conpeta cal tépata). See on Matt. xi, 20. The two words often joined in the New Testament. See John iv. 48; Acts ii. 22; iv. 30; 2 Cor. xii. 12. The words do not denote different classes of supernatural manifesta- tions, but these manifestations regarded from different points of view. The same miracle may be a mighty work, or a glorious work, regarded with reference to its power and gran- deur ; or a sign of the doer’s supernatural power; or a wonder, as it appeals to the spectator. Tépas (derivation uncertain) is a mniracle regarded as a portent or prodigy, awakening amaze- ment. It most nearly corresponds, therefore, to the etymo- logical sense of the word miracle (Lat., maraculum, a wonderful thing, from mirari, to wonder).
26. In the desert—Secret chambers. Rev., wlderness— inner chambers. Both retired places, indicating that the false Messiahs will avoid public scrutiny.
27. Shineth (faiverat). Rev., better, 7s seen. The coming of the Lord will be a plain, unmistakable fact, like the light- ning which lightens both ends of the heaven at once, and is seen of all. It will not be connected with some particular place, but will manifest itself and be recognized over the whole world. Compare Apoe. i, 7: ‘“ Every eye shall see him.”
28. Carcase (Tapa). From winte, to fall. Originally a fall, and thence a fallen body ; a corpse. Compare Lat. cadaver, from cado, to fall. See Mark vi. 29; Apoc. xi. 8. On the saying itself, compare Job xxxix. 30.
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130 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. XXIV.
Eagles (deror). Rev. puts vwtwres in margin. The griffon vulture is meant, which surpasses the eagle in size and power. Aristotle notes how this bird scents its prey from afar, and congregates in the wake of an army. In the Russian war vast numbers were collected in the Crimea, and remained until the end of the campaign in the neighborhood of the camp, although previously scarcely known in the country.
30. Mourn (xéyovras). Stronger: beat their breasts in an- guish.
31. With a great sound of a trumpet (weta ocddruyyos dovijs weyddys). Some read with a great trumpet. The blow- ing of trumpets was anciently the signal for the host of Israel on their march through the desert. It summoned to war, and proclaimed public festivals, and marked the beginnings of months; Num. x. 1-10; Ps. Ixxxi. 8. Hence the symbolism of the New Testament. Jehovah’s people shall be summoned before their king by sound of trumpet. Compare the procla- mation of Christ as king at the trumpet of the seventh angel, Apoe, xi. 15.
32. A parable (rv mapaBornv). More strictly, the parable which she has to teach. Rightly, therefore, Rev., er parable.
Branch (xAddos). From xrdw, to break. Hence a young slip or shoot, such as is broken off for grafting. Such were the “ branches ” which were cut down and strewed in the Lord’s path by the multitudes (Matt. xxi. 8).
40. Shall be taken—left. Both verbs are in the present tense, which makes the saying more lively. One as taken and one is left. So Rev.
41. The mill (7@ pvr). The ordinary hand-mill with a handle fixed near the edge of the upper stone, which is turned by two women.
Cu. XXV.] ’ MATTHEW. 131
42. What hour. Later texts, however, read suépa, day. mola npépa, in what kind of a day, whether a near or a remote one. Similarly ver. 43: év mola dvdAakh, in what kind of a watch, whether a night or a morning watch.