Mighty works do show forth themselves in him (évep- yovou ai duvduess év ait). Rev., these powers work in him. As Dr. Morison observes, “ A snatch of Herod’s theology and philosophy.” He knew that John wrought no miracles when alive, but he thonght that death had put him into connection with the unseen world, and enabled him to wield its powers.
16. He is risen. The he, odtos, is emphatic. This one. This very John.
17-29. On the peculiarities of Mark in this narrative, see In- troduction.
19. Had a quarrel against him (éve?yev aitd). There is some dispute about the rendering. The Rev. renders Set herself against him, with no alternative translation in the margin ; and in Luke xi. 53, Press upon him vehemently, with set them- selves against him in the margin. I see no objection to ren- dering was angry at him, taking évetyev abt with an ellipsis
Cx. VI.J MARK. 193
of xorov, anger. Very literally, had within herself (év) anger against him. So Herodotus, i., 118. Astyages concealing the anger (tov xeArov) which he felt toward him (oi éveiye). vi. 119, evetye afi Sewov yorov, nourished a fierce anger against them. So Moulton, Grimm, and De Wette.
Desired (7Icdev). Imperfect tense, was desiring all along. Her demand for John’s murder was the result of a long-cherished wish.
20. Observed him (cuverjper). A mistranslation. Rev., kept him safe. Peculiar to Mark. Compare Matt. ix. 17, are preserved ; Luke ii. 19, kept ; cv, closely ; tnpetv, to preserve or keep, as the result of guarding. See on John xvii. 12, and reserved, 1 Pet. i. 4.
Did many things (zodAa érro/e). The proper reading, how- ever, is 77épet; from a, not, and mopos, a passage. Hence, strictly, to be in circumstances where one cannot find a way out. So Rey., rightly, he was much perplexed. The other reading is meaningless.
21. Convenient (evxaipov). Mark only. Convenient for Herodias’ purpose. ‘‘ Opportune for the insidious woman, who hoped, through wine, lust, and the concurrence of sycophants, to be able easily to overcome the wavering mind of her hus- band” (Grotius in Meyer).
Birthday. See on Matt. xiv. 6. The notice of the banquet and of the rank of the guests is peculiar to Mark.
Lords (uweyiotaow). Only here, and Apoc. vi. 153; xviii. 23. A late word, from péyas, great.
High captains (yiArvdpyos). Lit., commanders of a thou- sand men. Answering to a Roman military tribune. Both civil and military dignitaries were present, with other distin- guished men of the district (chzef men).
13
194 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Ca. VL
92. The said Herodias (airis ris ‘Hpwoidéos). The A. V. misses the point of adrjs by the translation the said : the object being not to particularize the Herodias just referred to, but to emphasize the fact that Herodias’ own daughter was put for- ward instead of a professional dancer. Hence Rev., correctly, “the daughter of Herodias herself.”
Damsel (xopaciw). See on Mark v. 41.
95. Mark’s narrative emphasizes the eager haste with which the murder was pushed. She came in straightway and de- manded the boon forthwith.
By and by (é£aurijs). Obsolete in the old sense of zmme- diately. The A. V. translates ed9vs, straightway, in Matt. xiii. A, by and by : ebSéws, Mark iv. 17, immediately : and the same word in Luke xxi. 9, by and by. ’E&avrijs is rendered imme- diately, Acts x. 33; xi. 11: straightway, Acts xxiii, 80: pres- ently, Philip. ii. 23. Rev., forthwith. The expression by and by in older English was sometimes used of place. Thus Chau-
cer. “Right in the same chamber by and by” (close by).
and “Two young knights lying by and by” (near together).
Edward IV. is reported to have said on his death-bed: “T wote (know) not whether any preacher’s words ought more to move you than I that is going by and by to the place that they all preach of.”