addressed by the Church of Smyrna to the churches in the Christian world, it is related that Jews joined with heathen in clamoring that Polycarp should be cast to the lions or burned alive, and were foremost os &os avdrots (as was their wont) in bringing logs for the pile, and in the endeavor to prevent the remains of the martyr from being delivered to his Christian associates for burial.
Synagogue of Satan. For synagogue, see on assembly, Jas. ii. 2, the only passage in which the word is used for a Christian assembly. This fact goes to support the literal explanation of the term Jews. For Satan, see on Luke x. 18. For John’s use of the expression ¢he Jews, see on John i. 19. The use of the word here in an honorable sense, so different from John’s cust- om, has been urged against his authorship of the Apocalypse. But John here only quotes the word, and, further, employs it without the article.
10. Fear not (Sev dofod). Lit., fear nothing. For the verb, see on Luke i. 50.
Behold (iSov 59). The particle 8% for certain, which is not rendered, gives a quality of assurance to the prediction.
The Devil (Sud8or0s). See on Matt. iv. 1. The persecu- tion of the Christians is thus traced to the direct agency of Satan, and not to the offended passions or prejudices of men. Trench observes: “There is nothing more remarkable in the records which have come down to us of the early persecutions, than the sense which the confessors and martyrs and those who afterwards narrate their sufferings and their triumphs entertain and utter, that these great fights of affliction through which ue ae called to pass, were the immediate work of the
evil.’
Shall cast (uéAret Bareiv). Rev., rightly, 7s about to cast.
Prison (fvaaxyv). See on Acts v. 21.
REVELATION OF JOHN. 445 May be tried (zecpacdjre). Tempted. See on 1 Pet. i. 7.
Tribulation ten days (Amu separ Séxa). Lit., a tribu- lation of ten days.
Be thou (yivov). The exact force of the word cannot be given by a corresponding word in English. Lit., “become thou.” There is to be a succession of trials demanding an increase in the power and a variety in the direction of faith. With refer- ence to these trials, faithfulness is to be not only ewistent but becoming, developing with new strength and into new applica- tions.
Unto death (aype Javdrov). Not faithful wntz the tome of death, but faithful up to a measure which will endure death for Christ’s sake. “It is an ¢ntensive, not an extensive term.”
A crown (rév crédavov). Rev., rightly, “the crown.” See on 1 Pet. vy. 4; Jas. i.12. Crown is used with a variety of words: crown of righteousness (2 Tim. iv. 8); glory (1 Pet. v. 4); beauty (Isa. lxii. 38, Sept., A. V., glory); pride (Isa. xxviii. 1); rejoicing (1 Thess. ii. 19).
Of life (rs Swfs). The full phrase is the crown of the life: ie., the crown which consists in life eternal. The image is not taken from the Greek games, although Smyrna contained a temple of Olympian Jupiter, and Olympian games were cele- brated there. It is the déadem of royalty rather than the gar- land of victory, though more commonly used in the latter sense. It is not likely that John would use an image from the games, since there was the most violent prejudice against them on the part of Jewish Christians; a prejudice which, on occasions of their celebration, provoked the special ferocity of the pagans against what they regarded as the unpatriotic and unsocial character of Christ’s disciples. It was at the demand of the people assembled in the stadium that Polycarp was given up to death. Moreover, it is doubtful whether any symbol in the Apocalypse is taken from heathenism. The imagery is Jewish.