4. Sinners (6deurétax). Lit., debtors. Possibly with refer- ence to the figure at the close of the last chapter. Compare Matt. v. 25; vi. 12; xviii. 24; Luke xi. 4.
7. These three years | come. The best texts insert a¢’ od, Srom which, or since. “It is three years from the time at which I came.”
Cut it down (éxxowov). Rather, “cut it owt” (é«) from among the other trees and the vines.
Why cumbereth it. The A. V. omits the very important kai, also (Rev.), which, as Trench observes, is the key-word of the sentence. Besides being barren in itself, it also injures the soil. “ Not only is it unfruitful, but it draws away the juices which the vines would extract from the earth, intercepts the sun, and occupies room” (Bengel). The verb ewmbereth (xar- apyet) means to make of no effect. So Rom. iii. 3,31; Gal. ii. 17. Cumbereth expresses the meaning in a very general and comprehensive way. The specific elements included in it are expressed by Bengel above. De Wette, makes the land un- Sruitful. See on barren and unfruitful, 2 Pet. i. 8.
Cu. XIIL.] LUKE. 375
9. And if it bear fruit, well ; and if not, then after that. Join after that with bear fruit. “If it bear fruit for the future (eis 7d wérdov, Rev., thenceforth), well ; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.” Trench (‘ Parables”) cites an Arabian writer’s receipt for curing a palm-tree of barrenness. ‘¢ Thou must take a hatchet, and go to the tree with a friend, unto whom thou sayest, ‘I will cut down this tree, for it is unfruitful.’ He an- swers, ‘Do not so, this year it will certainly bear fruit. But the other says, ‘It must needs be—it must be hewn down ;’ and gives the stem of the tree three blows with the back of the hatchet. But the other restrains him, crying, ‘ Nay, do it not, thou wilt certainly have fruit from it this year, only have patience with it, and be not overhasty in cutting it down; if it still refuses to bear fruit, then cut it down.’ Then will the tree that year be certainly fruitful and bear abundantly.” Trench adds that this story appears to be widely spread in the East.
Thou shalt cut it down. The vine-dresser does not say, «“ J will cut,” but refers that to the master.
11. Spirit of infirmity. A spirit which caused infirmity. An evil demon, see ver. 16, though it is not certain that it was a case of possession. The details of the disease, and the noting of the time of its continuance, are characteristic of a physician’s narrative.
Bowed together (cvyxirrovea). Only here in New Testa- ment.
Lift herself up (dvaxtypac). Only here in New Testament, unless John viii. 7-10 be accepted as genuine. Used by Galen of strengthening the vertebrae of the spine.
12. Thou art loosed (dzronedveas). The only passage in the New Testament where the word is used of disease. Medical writers use it of releasing from disease, relaxing tendons, and taking off bandages.
376 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. XIII.
13. She was made straight (dvop.906n). The verb occurs, Acts xv. 16, of setting up the tabernacle of David, and Heb. xil. 12, of léfting wp the hands which hang down.
15. Loose (Ave). Compare thou art loosed, ver. 12.
Stall. See on ch. ii. 7.
16. Satan. “True to its principle of contrast, this book. gives Satan a prominent position” (Abbot). See ch. iv. bbs x. 18; xxii. 3, 31. See Introduction.
17. Were ashamed. Rev., more correctly, were put to shame.
Glorious things. See on Matt. xi. 10.
Were done (yvoyévois). Lit., are being done, denoting their being then in progress.
19. His garden. Properly, as Rev., his own (éavtod) where he could personally observe and tend it.
Great tree. The best texts omit great.