Marvelled (jv Savudtovres). The Greek construction is peculiar. His father was and his mother wondering y the finite verb in the singular agreeing with the father, while the plural participle agrees with both. As usual, this combination of finite verb and participle denotes continuance or progression : they were marveling while Simeon was speaking. So Rev.
34. Them. The parents; the child being separately and specially designated.
Is set (xetras). The verb means primarily to be laid, and so to lie: hence to be set forth or promulgated, as the law is said to be laid down, and so, appointed or destined, as here.
The fall and rising again (rrdow Kal avdotaow). For the Jall, because he will be a stumbling-block to many (Isa. viii. 14; Matt. xxi. 42, 44; Acts iv.11; Rom. ix. 33; 1 Cor. i. 23). For the rising, because many will be raised up through him to life and glory (Rom. vi. 4,9; Eph. ii. 6). The A. V. predicates the falling and the rising of the same persons: the fall and rising again of many. The Rev., the falling and rising up of many, is ambiguous. The American Revisers give it correctly : the falling and the rising.
Which shall be spoken against (avriAeyopevov). The par- ticiple is the present; and the expression does not voice a prophecy, but describes an inherent characteristic of the sign:
276 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. IL
a sign of which it is the character to experience contradiction from the world. In the beginning, as a babe, Jesus experienced this at the hands of Herod ; soall through his earthly ministry and on the cross; and so it will be to the end, until he shall have put all enemies under his feet. Compare Heb. xii. 3. Wye., a token to whom it shall be gainsard.
35. A sword (foudaia). Strictly, a large Thracian broad- sword. Used in Septuagint of the sword of Goliath (1 Sam. xvii. 51). A figure of Mary’s pang when her son should be nailed to the cross.
36. A prophetess (apopfris). Only here and Apoc. ii. 20.
Asher. That tribe was celebrated in tradition for the beauty of its women, and their fitness to be wedded to high-priests or kings.
Of great age (apoPeSnxvia év juépais TodAais). Lit., ad- vanced in many days.
37. Of about fourscore and four years (as éraév dydonjKov- ra tecodpwv). The A. V. might be supposed to be stating her age; but the best texts read ews, until, instead of ws, about ; and the statement refers to the time of her widowhood; a widow even for (or up to) fourscore and four years. So Rev.
Served (Aatpevouca). The present participle, serving. Rev., worshipping. See on ch. i. 74.
38. Coming up (émictaca). See on ver. 9.
Gave thanks (av9@poroyeiro). The verb originally means to make a mutual agreement ; and the idea of reciprocity is retained in the expression “to return thanks” for something received. Compare Sept., Ps. xxix. 13.
Spake. Not a public utterance, for which the words, those that waited, etc., would be inappropriate. It was to the pious ones who were with her in the temple, waiting for the Messiah.
Cu. IL] LUKE. Q20T
In Jerusalem (€v Iepovcadsju). All the best texts omit éy, in. Render, as Rev., the redemption of Jerusalem. Nearly equivalent to the consolation of Israel, ver. 25. Compare ch. i. 68, and see Isa. xl. 2.
39. Nazareth. See on Matt. ii. 23.
40. The child grew, etc. The Jews marked the stages of a child’s development by nine different terms: the new-born babe (Isa. ix. 6); the suckling (Isa. xi. 8); the suckling begin- ning to ask for food (Lam. iv. 4); the weaned child (Isa. xxviii. 9); the child clinging to its mother (Jer. xl. 7); the child be- coming firm and strong (Isa. vii. 14, of the virgin-mother); the youth, literally, he that shakes himself free; the ripened one, or warrior (Isa. xxxi. 8).