2. Colt. Only Matthew addsthe ass. Mark and Luke have colt only.
4. In a place where two ways met (él tod apdodov). "Auodov is literally any road which leads rownd (audi) a place or a block of buildings. Hence the winding way. The word occurs only here in the New Testament. Rev., an the open street, which in an Eastern town is usually crooked. Perhaps, by con- trast with the usual crookedness, the street in Damascus where Paul lodged was called Straight (Acts ix. 11). “It is a topo- graphical note,” says Dr. Morison, “ that could only be given by an eye-witness.” The detail of ver. 4 is peculiar to Mark. Ac- cording to Luke (xxii. 8), Peter was one of those sent, and his stamp is probably on the narrative.
8. Inthe way. Both Matthew and Luke have éy, zm, but Mark, eds, ¢nto. They threw their garments znto the way and spread them there.
Branches. Matthew, Mark, and John use each a different word for branches. Matt., cAddovs, from «rd, to break ; hence a young slip or shoot, such as is broken off for grafting—a twig, as related to a branch. Mark, oreBddas, from oreiBa, to tread or beat down ; hence a mass of straw, rushes, or leaves beaten together or strewed loose, so as to form a bed or a carpeted way. A litter of branches and leaves cut from the fields (only Mark) near by. John, Bata, strictly palm-branches, the feathery fronds forming the tufted crown of the tree.
Hosanna. Meaning, O save! 11. When he had looked round. Peculiar to Mark. As
the master of the house, inspecting. “A look serious, sorrow- ful, judicial ” (Meyer). Compare iii. 5, 34.
Cu. XL] MARK. 215 13. Afar off. Peculiar to Mark. Having leaves. An unusual thing at that early season.
If haply (e7 dpa). If, such being the case, i.e., the tree having leaves—he might find fruit, which, in the fig, precedes the leaf. Mark alone adds, “for the time of figs was not yet.”
14. His disciples heard it. Peculiar to Mark.
15. Money-changers («odAvBiorav). Another unclassical word, but used also by Matthew. “Such words as these might naturally find their place in the mongrel Greek of the slaves and freedmen who formed the first congregations of the church in Rome” (Ezra Abbott, Art. “ Gospels,” in Encye. Britannica). See on Matt. xxi. 12.
16. Vessel (cxedos). See on Matt. xii. 29; Mark 1. 20.
Temple (iepod). See on Matt. iv. 5. The temple enclosure, not the vads, or sanctuary. People would be tempted to carry vessels, etc., through this, in order to save a long circuit. The court of the Gentiles, moreover, was not regarded by the Jews as entitled to the respect due to the other part of the enclosure. This our Lord rebukes.
17. Of all nations. Which rendering implies, shall be called by all nations. But render with Rev., a house of prayer for all the nations (maéow Tois éIvecw).
Thieves (Anorav). Rev., correctly, robbers. See on Matt. xxi. 18; xxvi. 55; John x. 1, 8. From Anis or Aeta, booty. In classical usage mostly of cattle. The robber, conducting his operations on a large and systematic scale, and with the aid of bands, is thus to be distinguished from the Krerrns, or thief who purloins or pilfers whatever comes to hand. <A den would be appropriate to a band of robbers, not to thieves. Thus the traveller to Jericho, in Christ’s parable (Luke x. 30), fell among robbers, not thieves.
216 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. XIL
19. When evening was come (é7av). Lit., whenever even- ing came on; not on the evening of the purging of the temple merely, But each day at evening.
20-24. All the details are peculiar to Mark. Compare Matt. Xxi. 20-22.
23. Shall come to pass (yiveras). Rather cometh to pass, as Rey.