s, x.r.X., He took, etc.) He propounded the subject, not as in His daily conversation, but more solemnly.1
18, 19. Hapabd^riffirai — Tapa<5cw<rou<r/, shall be delivered up, shall deliver up) A momentous verb. See Luke xxiii. 25.
18. ' ApyjtpivGt, to the chief priests) This appellation seems to have been very common at that time. — ypawanvGi, to the scribes) whose duty it was to examine, as of the priests to decide.2
19. To/; '&vsai, to the Gentiles') i.e. to the Roman nation, which was the chief of them all. — sp^ati-ai, to be mocked) What igno miny ! He had, on two previous occasions, foretold His passion less definitely : He now expressly mentions the stripes, the cross, etc., as in ch. xxvi. 2, Pie does the consummation, namely, His crucifixion.
20. Tore, then) at a most inappropriate time.8 — vpoffxwoZffa, worshipping) Him. From the adoration and discourse of this woman, it is evident that she entertained a high idea of our Lord's majesty, but possessed very little knowledge. — ri, some thing) She asked for something, indefinitely, as they do who knew that a refusal would not be unjust ; see 1 Kings ii. 20.
2 1.4 "IVK Kcfoiau(Stv, tliat they may sit) She seems to refer to the promise of the twelve thrones mentioned in ch. xix. 28, and to have taken occasion to apply the promise more especially to her own sons from the appellation, sons of thunder, which our Lord
1 Viz. in this His third announcement of His coming death, etc. — V. g. Of the preceding declarations as to His approaching Passion, the one had been made after the confession of the disciples, the other after the Trans figuration on the Mount (which was attended with an universal admiration of His works, Luke ix. 43, 44, 35 ; Mark ix. 15) : a third is now added of His own accord, more solemn than the rest — Harm., p. 432.
2 Bengel's very sentences have a rhythm, which brings out happily the antithesis intended: " Scribis) quorum erat scientia; uti ponfi/lcumsenteniia.." The province of the former was knowledge of the written law ; of the latter, to decide or give sentence in accordance with it. — ED.
3 ' H fAyr-ftp) This thought seems to have entered the mind of the anxious mother altogether sooner than it did that of her sons : and even in her very supplication she acted the part of an intermediate agent or intercessor. — Harm., p. 433.
4 T/ d&itg, what wilt thoit) The Saviour does not act hastily in promising. -V.g.