and brought up a large family of disciples (see Luke xxii. 35), affording the most perfect example of a domestic, as well as a solitary life ; and He is also Master of the household of the whole Church. — BssX^E/SoiX, Beelzebul) Beelzebub was a god of Ekron ; see 2 Kings i. 2. As the Greeks, however, seem to have been unable to pronounce the word Beelzebub, the LXX. rendered it Eaa^vTav (Baalmwian) : and the Evangelists also wrote it in Greek with a X (I), instead of a /3 (b), as the final letter, on account, apparently, not of the derivation, but the pronunciation ; just as the LXX. wrote MsX^oX (Melchol) for Michal. As this reason, however, did not hold good in other languages, translators have restored the original sound of the Hebrew word. The Jews, however, frequently employ the term P2T,1 in contempt of idols ; but the compound, 73T~7JD, is not found in Hebrew, although it is credible that the Hebrews who spoke Greek may have said BnX^MX for BssX^£/3oi)/3 the more willingly, on account of its resemblance to TOT.2 Ter- tullian, when quoting Luke xi., in his work against Marcion, book iv., ch. 26, writes it, Beelzebul. — fxaXso-ai/, x.r.X., have called, etc.) See ch. ix. 34 and Mark iii. 22. They called Him Beelzebub, that is, the ally of Beelzebub. — voau ,&aXXov, how much more) The world hated Christ most and first ; and it was the duty of His disciples to feel that they ought much more to endure that hatred, much less to refuse it.3 — rovg olmaxojg avrov, his domestics) i.e. they shall call them the domestics of Beelzebub.
26. Ovv, therefore) although you will be hated. — ovBev, nothing) •Cf. Mark iv. 22 ; Luke xii. 2. — yap, x.r.X, for, etc.) The world will not so quickly destroy you, by whom truth will be propa gated far and wide. — xexaXv/Aftsvov, covered) i.e. removed from sight. — affojcaXup^ffsra/, shall be uncovered) especially in the time of the Messiah. — xpvwbv, hidden) i.e. removed from hear ing : cf. ver. 27.
1 VST — (l) properly in my opinion, i q. '?T to be round, to make round, whence the Talmudic VaT, VaT, round or globular dung, such as that of goats or camels. — GESENIUS. — (I. B )
2 VaT with the Kibbuts = Vat with the Shureq.— (I. B.)
3 Those of Christ's household have less of the power which characterized their Master ; and besides, they are not, as He was, without blemishes, and these last the world knows well how to upbraid them with. — V. g.