Among you (séc0s tuav). The Greek idiom is a mid one in respect of you. “Ey, I, and pécos, a med one, stand re- spectively at the head of the parallel clauses, thus emphasizing the two contrasted parties.
Standeth (éornxev). The best texts read otnjxet, a verb which is kindred to éornxev, but with the added sense of jirm, persistent standing. Thus, stand fast (1 Cor. xvi. 13; Gal. v. 1: Philip. i. 27). The verb emphasizes the firm, dignified at- titude of Christ.
Ye know not (iets). Emphatic.
27. He it is who, coming after me (aitdés éotw 06 drricw pod épxépuevos). The best texts omit the first two words. Westcott and Hort also omit 6; so that the rendering is, whom ye know not, coming after me.
Was preferred before me. The best texts omit.
To unloose (wa Xow). Lit., that I should wnloose. Mark (i. 7) and Luke (iii. 16) have wnloose. Matt. (iii 11) bear. See on Matt. iii. 11.
28. Bethabara (By9aBapa). The correct reading is BnYavia, Bethany. Not the Bethany of John xi. 18, but an unknown village. It was not uncommon for two places to have the same name, as the two Bethsaidas, the one on the eastern shore of the Lake of Gennesaret (Mark vi. 32, 45), and the other on the western shore (John i. 44); the two Ceesareas, on the Mediter- ranean (Acts viii. 40), and in Gaulonitis, at the foot of Lebanon, Ceesarea Philippi (Matt. xvi. 13).
Was baptizing (jv Barrifwv). The participle with the sub- stantive verb indicating continued action; was engaged in bap- tizing.
29. John. The best texts omit.
Vou. II.—5d