Accuse any falsely (cuxofavrycnre). The common ex- planation of this word is based on the derivation from odxov, a Jig, and daivo, to make known; hence of informing against persons who exported figs from Attica, contrary to the law, or who plundered sacred fig-trees. As informers were tempted to accuse innocent persons by the reward paid for pointing out violators of the law, the verb acquired the meaning to accuse Jalsely. Such is the old explanation, which is now rejected by scholars, though the real explanation is merely conjectural. The fig-tree was the pride of Attica, ranking with honey and olives as one of the principal products, and there is no authority for the statement that there was a time when figs were scarce, and required legal protection against export. Neither is it proven that there was a sacred kind of fig. _ Rettig, in an in- teresting paper in the “ Studien und Kritiken ” (18388), explains that, as tribute in Attica was paid in kind as well as in money,
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and as figs represented a great deal of property, there was a temptation to make false returns of the amount of figs to the assessors ; and that thus a class of informers arose who detected and reported these false returns, and received a percentage of the fine which was imposed. These were known as jfig-shewers. Another writer has suggested that the reference is to one who brings figs to light by shaking the tree ; and so, metaphorically, to one who makes rich men yield up the fruits of their labor or rascality by false accusation. Whatever explanation we may accept, it is evident that the word had some original connection with jigs, and that it came to mean to slander or accuse falsely. From it comes our word sycophant. The sycophants as a class were encouraged at Athens, and their services were rewarded. Socrates is said by Xenophon to have advised Crito to take a sycophant into his pay, in order to thwart another who was annoying him; and this person, says Xenophon, “quickly dis- covered on the part of Crito’s accusers many illegal acts, and many persons who were enemies to those accusers; one of whom he summoned to a public trial, in which it would be settled what he should suffer or pay, and he would not let him off until he ceased to molest Crito and paid a sum of money besides.” Demosthenes thus describes one: “ He glides about the market like a scorpion, with his venomous sting all ready, spying out whom he may surprise with misfortune and ruin, and fr om whom he can most easily extort money, by threaten- ing him with an action dangerous in its consequences.
It is the bane of our city that it protects and cherishes fine poisonons brood, and uses them as informers, so that even the honest man must flatter and court them, in order to be safe from their machinations.” The word occurs only here and ch. xix. 8, of Zacchaeus, the publican. The American [evisers hold to the A. V., and render neither accuse any one wrongfully, extortion being described by the previous word. Wye., nedther make ye false challenge.
Wages (oyrervioss). From dor, cooked meat, and later, gener- ally, provisions. At Athens, especially, fish. Compare orpapoov, Jish, John xxi. 9, 10, 13. Hence éyrwviov is primarily proviseon-
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money, and so used of supplies and pay foran army. With this understanding the use of the word at Rom. vi. 23, “the wages of sin,” becomes highly suggestive.
15. Mused (dcaroyifopévwv). Better as Rev., reasoned. Com- pare ch. i. 29; and see on Jas. il. 4.
16. One mightier (6 icyupdrtepos). The definite article points to an expected personage. Hence better as Rev., he that is mightier.
Unloose (Adcaz). So also Mark; but Matthew Bacracat, to bear. See on Matt. iii. 11.