Remission. See on ch, iii. 3; and on forgiven, Jas. v. 15.
Beginning from Jerusalem. Some editors place a period
Cu. XXIV.] LUKE. 439
after nations, and join these words with the next sentence, omitting and: “ beginning from Jerusalem ye are witnesses.” *
49. Isend (éym éEaroatéAdw). Rev., better, send forth, giving the force of é€&. J emphatic.
Endued with power. The Rev. has properly substituted the simpler clothed, which, to the English reader, conveys the exact figure inthe word. This metaphorical sense of clothed is found in classical Greek. Aristophanes has clothed with audac- ity ; Homer, clothed with strength; Plutarch, clothed with nobility and wealth.
51. And was carried up into heaven. Some texts omit.
* Tischendorf (8th ed.), Westcott and Hort, and Rev. text read dptduevor, referring to the disciples. The old reading, dptduevov, is explained as the im- personal accusative neuter, referring to knpuxdjvat.
1. The former (rov mp@rov). Lit., the first. Luke refers to his Gospel.
Treatise (Adyov). Or narrative.
Began (jp£a7o). This is interpreted in two ways. — Either, (1), as a simple historical statement equivalent to “all that Jesus did and taught.” In favor of this is the fact that the synoptists often record that which is done or said according to its moment of commencement, thus giving vividness to the account. See Matt. xi. 20; xxvi. 22, 837; Mark vi. 7; xiv. 19; Luke vii. 38, etc. According to this explanation the word serves “to recall to the recollection from the Gospel all the several incidents and events, up to the ascension, in which Jesus had appeared as doer and teacher” (Meyer). Or, (2), as indicating that the Gos- pel contains the beginning, and the Acts of the Apostles the continuation, of the doings and teachings of Jesus. ‘The earthly life of Jesus, concluded with the ascension, has its fruit and continued efficacy ; and his heavenly life, commencing with the ascension, has its manifestation and proof in the acts and experiences of the apostles and first churches. The history of the Church was under the immediate control of the exalted Redeemer, and may justly be considered as the continuation in heaven of the work which he had begun on earth” (Baum- garten and Gloag). While the truth and importance of this statement are admitted, it is objected that such an intention on
449 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. I.
Luke’s part would have been more clearly intimated, and not left to be inferred from a single doubtful phrase. As regards Luke’s intention, I think thefirst explanation is more likely to be correct. The second, however, states a truth, the value and importance of which cannot be overestimated, aud which should be kept in mind constantly in the study of the book of Acts. This is well put by Bernard (** Progress of Doctrine in the New Testament,” Lect. IV.): “Thus the history which follows is linked to, or (may I not rather say) welded with, the past ; and the founding of the Church in the earth is presented as one continuous work, begun by the Lord in person, and perfected by the same Lord through the ministryof men. . . . ‘The former treatise’ delivered to us, not all that Jesus did and taught, but ‘all that Jesus deyan to do and teach wntil the day when he was taken up.’ The following writings appear in- tended to give us, and do, in fact, profess to give us, that which Jesus continued to do and teach after the day in which he was taken up.”
2. Had given commandment (évte:Adpevos). Special in- junctions or charges, Compare Matt. iv.6; Mark xiii. 34; Heb. xi. 22.
Through the Holy Ghost. Construe with had given com- mandment : by means of the Holy Spirit, which inspired him. Not, as some interpreters, with whom he had chosen.
3. Shewed himself (zrapéarncev). This verb is rendered in a variety of ways in the New Testament, as give or furnish, pre- sent, provide, assist, commend. The original meaning is to place beside, and so commend to the attention. Hence, to set before the mind ; present, shew.