24. Kdptf.ov, a camel) i.e. the animal of that name ; cf. ch. xxiii. 24. It is not a rope1 that is compared to a thread, but the eye of a needle to a gate.
25. ' ArMGavric b'i oi f^adr,rai avrou, x.r.X., but when His disciples heard it, etc.) Scripture everywhere shows a middle path be tween excessive confidence and excessive timidity. See ver. 26, 28, 30 ; 1 Pet. v. 7, compared with 6, 8. — rig apa, x.r.x., who then, etc.) The disciples were anxious, either for themselves, lest other obstacles should equally impede them, or because they entertained the hope of acquiring wealth (see ver. 27), or else for others : which fear is far more laudable. Cf. Rev. v. 4.
26. 'E/i/SXs-vJ/aj, having looked upon) in order to fix the thoughts of the terrified disciples. Jesus taught many things even by His look and by the expression of His countenance. This look first moved Matthew, once a publican. — iJ-nv, said) with the greatest sweetness. — ddwarov, impossible) more even than morally impossible. — iracra, all things) Therefore even this. The Divine omnipotence is seen, not only in the kingdom of nature, but in those also of grace and glory. That power is more than human by which the human heart is led away from earthly things. The cause of the rich may be pleaded with the greatest effect by the poor and the scrupulous.2 — Sward, possible) as each of the elect will know.
1 Bengel alludes to a reading which is evidently corrupt, and an interpre tation which is manifestly erroneous. " Some ancient and modern commen tators," says Bloomfield, " would read xd/Athov, a cable, rope; or take x.»p-riMv in that sense. But for the former there is little or no manuscript authority, and for the latter, no support from the ususloquendi" For interesting illus trations of the subject, too long to insert, see Kitto, and Wordsworth, in loc. -(I. B.)
2 In the original, " timoratos." In illustration and explanation of this bar barous word, the following extract will not be unwelcome : —
" TIMORATUS. Wippo de Vita Chunradi Salici, p. 428 : In Dei seruitio Timorata, in orationibus et eleemosynis assidua. Gesta Irmocentii iii. p. 77 : Deuotus et timoratus. Ditmarus lib. 2 : Filiam bene Timoratam, etc. Humi- liter et Timorate, apud eumdem lib. 3. Fulbertus Carnot. Epist. 40 : Haere- bam timorate suspensus et expectans, etc. Occurrit non semel : Gallis Timore, Dei timidus et a lenibus culpis auersus. Timoratus et totns plenus Deo, in Chronico Noualic. apud Murator, to. 2, part. 2, col. 735. Adde P. 2 de Imit. Christi, c. 10, n. 3, etc." GLOSSARIUM MANUALE AD SCRIPTORES MEDIAE ET INFIMJE LATIMTATIS ex magnis Glossaries C.\KOU Du FRES.NE,