1.
And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
began. See note on Mark 1:1 .
by = in. Greek. en App-104 . as in Mark 12:36 .
man . Greek. anthropos . App-123 .
set an hedge = placed a fence.
winefat . Occurs only here in N.T. = a wine-vat. "Fat" is from A.S. foet = a vessel (compare Dutch vatten = to catch). Northern Eng. for vat.
tower = watch-house. See note on Matthew 21:33 .
let it out , &c. See note on Matthew 21:33 .
huabandmen = vine-dressers.
went into a far country = went abroad. See note on Matthew 21:33 .
2.
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
at the season. The fourth year after planting it; no profit till then. See Leviticus 19:23 , Leviticus 19:24 .
to. Greek. pros. App-104 .
servant = bond-servant.
from. Greek. para. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 12:25 , Mark 12:34 .
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 . Same word as in Mark 12:38 ; not the same as in Mark 12:44 . This shows that part of, or the whole rent was to be paid in kind. See note on "let it out", Matthew 21:33 .
3.
And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
caught = took.
4.
And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
unto. Greek. pros. App-104 . As in verses: Mark 12:6 , Mark 12:13 , Mark 12:18 .
another. Greek. allos App-124 .
at him, &c. = him they stoned. This word "stoned" is omitted by all the texts.
sent him away shamefully handled. L T Tr. WH R with Syriac read "insulted him".
5.
And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
many others. All these were "His servants the prophets" up to John the Baptist. Supply the Ellipsis from Mark 12:4 thus: "Many others [He sent, whom they used shamefully], beating some and killing some".
beating. = scourging.
6.
Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
therefore. Omitted by [L] T Tr. A WH R with Syriac.
his = his own.
wellbeloved = beloved. App-135 .
last. A Divine supplement, here.
reverence = have respect to.
7.
But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
said . . . This = said that (Greek. hoti) this is, &c.
among = to. Gu pros. App-104 .
8.
And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
killed him . As the Lord had already revealed to the disciples (Mark 10:32-34 ).
out = outside.
9.
What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
shall = will.
the lord. Implying and leading up to the interpretation. App-98 . A.
unto others . The new Israel, as foretold in Isaiah 66:7-14 .
others . Greek. Plural of' allos . App-124 .
10.
And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
have ye not read . ? See, App-143 .
not = not even. Greek. oude. Compound of ou . See App-105 .
The Stone, &c. Quoted from Psalms 118:22 . Compare Acts 4:10-12 . See App-107 .
is = this is.
11.
This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
This was , &c. = this was from Jehovah (Greek. para. App-104 .)
the LORD ' S = Jehovah's. App-98 . B. a.
in. Greek. en . App-104 . Same word as in tiro. 23, -25, 26-, 35, 38, 39. Not the same as in verses: Mark 12:12 , Mark 12:14 ; Mar 12:-26 .
12.
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
for = because.
knew = came to know, or perceived. Greek ginosko. See App-152 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 12:14 , Mark 12:15 , Mark 12:24 .
against. Greek pros. App-104 .
13.
And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
Pharisees . App-120 .
to catch = that they might catch.
catch . Greek. agreuo = to take in hunting: hence, to ensnare. In Matthew 22:15 it is pagideuo = to ensnare ("entangle "). Both are Divine supplementary render ings of the same Aramaic word: Matt. giving the result of the hunting. Neither of the two words occurs elsewhere.
words = discourse. Greek logos. See note on Mark 9:32 .
14.
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
Master. Teacher. As in Mark 12:19 , Mark 12:32 . App-98 . Mark 12:1 .
we know. Greek oida. See App-132 .
for = about, or concerning. Greek. peri . App-104 .
no man = no one. Greek oudeis, a compound of ou. App-105 .
for = because.
regardest not = lookest ( App-133 .) not (Greek. ou . App-105 ) on (Greek. eis. App-104 .)
God. Greek. Theos. App-98 .
in = with. Greek. epi. App-104 .
tribute . Occurs only here and in Matthew 17:25 with Matthew 22:17 , Matthew 22:19 . See notes there.
not. Greek. me . App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 12:10 , Mark 12:15
15.
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
Shall we give , &c. A Divine supplement, here.
not . Greek me. App-105 . Same word as in Mark 12:24 . Not the same as in verses: Mark 12:10 , Mark 12:14 , Mark 12:34; Mark 12:34 ,
penny = denarion . See note on Matthew 22:19 . App-51 .
16.
And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
image , &c. See note on Matthew 22:20 .
17.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
Jesus. App-98 .
answering said. Hebrew idiom. See note, on Deuteronomy 1:41 .
marvelled = were wondering. T WH R read "wondered beyond measure" (exehaumasan, instead of ethaumasan, with Authorized Version L Tr. A and Syriac.)
18.
Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
Sadducees. (No Article.) See App-120 .
which = they who. Greek. hoitines, marking them as a class characterized by this denial.
no. Greek. me . App-105 . As in Mark 12:19 ; not the same as in verses: Mark 12:20 , Mark 12:22 , i.e. they denied it subjectively.
asked = questioned.
19.
Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Moses . See note on Mark 1:44 and Matthew 8:4 .
If, &c . Deuteronomy 25:5 , Deuteronomy 25:6 . Assuming a simple hypothesis. See App-118 .
20.
Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
no . Greek. ou. App-105 . Some as in Mark 12:22 ; not the same as in verses: Mark 12:18 , Mark 12:19 .
21.
And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
neither. Compound of ou. App-105 .
22.
And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
woman died also = woman also died.
23.
In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
had = gat.
24.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Do ye not . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
therefore = on account of (dia. App-104 .Mark 12:2; Mark 12:2 ) this; referring to the reasons about to be stated in the next two clauses.
know. Greek. oida. App-132 .
neither . Greek. mede. A compound of me . App-105 .
power = (inherent) power, App-172 .
25.
For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
from = from among. Greek. ek. App-104 .
the dead . No Art. See App-139 .
26.
And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
And as touching = But concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .
the dead = dead bodies, or corpses. With Art. See App-139 . Not the same as in Mark 12:27 .
in the bush = at (Greek. epi. App-104 .) the place concerning the bush: i.e. the passage about it in Exodus 3:6 . Compare Romans 11:2 "in Elijah"; see note there.
I and, &c. Quoted from Exodus 3:2-6 , and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .
27.
He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
the dead = dead people. Not the same as in Mark 12:26 . No Art. See App-139 .
the living: i.e. those who live again in resurrection. See note on Matthew 9:18 . Therefore they must rise. This is the only logical conclusion of the Lord's argu ment. The whole subject is resurrection.
Ye , Note the emphasis on this pronoun. This clause is a Divine supplement, here.
28.
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
came = came up; or came to [Him].
perceiving. Greek. oida . App-132 .
well = admirably, finely.
asked = questioned.
Which = Of what nature.
the first, &c. = the first of all the commandments.
29.
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Hear, O Israel, &c. Quoted from Deuteronomy 6:4 , Deuteronomy 6:5 .
The LORD. . . LORD = Jehovah . . . Jehovah. App-98 .
one . See note on Deuteronomy 6:4 .
30.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
love . See App-135 .
with = out of, or from. Greek. ek. App-104 .
all thy = thy whole.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndetom. App-6 .
soul . Greek. psuche . App-110 .
this (is] the first commandment. Note (in the Greek) the Figure of speech Homoeoteleuton ( App-6 ), for emphasis: haute, prote, entole .
31.
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Thou shalt , &o. Quoted from Leviticus 19:18 .
neighbour = the one near. Compare Matthew 5:43 .Luke 10:27 , Luke 10:29 , Luke 10:36 ,
none , &c = not (Greek. ou . App-105 .) another commandment greater.
32.
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
Mark 12:32-34 are a Divine supplement, here.
Well = "Right", or as we say "Good".
the truth = according to (Greek. epi . App-104 .) the truth: i.e. truthfully. App-175 .
for = that.
there is one God. All the texts read "that He is One "(omitting the word "God").
but He = besides Him.
33.
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
understanding = intelligence. Greek. sunesis = a putting together. Not the same word as in Mark 12:30 , which is dianoia = mind, the thinking faculty.
more , &c. Compare 1 Samuel 15:22 .
34.
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
discreetly = judiciously. Greek nounechos. Occurs only here in N. T,
from = away from. Greek. apo App-104 .
the kingdom of God . See App-114 .
35.
And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?
while He taught in the temple . See App-156 .
Christ = the Messiah. (With Art.) See Matthew 1:1 . App-98 .
the son of David . See App-88 .
36.
For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
David himself. These are the Lord's words. He did not "accept the current view", but He spake from the Father Himself. See Deuteronomy 18:18 . John 7:16 ; John 8:28 ; John 8:46 , John 8:47 ; John 12:49 ; John 14:10 , John 14:24 ; John 17:8 . This settles the authorship of Psalms 110 .
said. Quoted from Psalms 110:1 . Midway between Abraham and Messiah, this Psalm was given to David.
the Holy Ghost. See App-101 .
my Lord. App-98 . A. e. The same as Hebrew. Adonai. See App-4 .
on = at. Greek ek App-104 .
till I make . See note on Matthew 22:44 ,
make = shall have set.
37.
David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
Lord. App-98 . B. b.
the common people = the great crowd. Indicating numerical, not social, distinction.
38.
And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
doctrine = teaching.
Beware = take heed. App-133 .
of = away from (Greek. apo . App-104 .): i.e. take heed [and keep] away from. Not the some word as in Mark 12:44 .
love = desire, or will to. Greek. thelo. App-102 .
go = walk about.
long clothing = robes. Greek. stolais.
39.
And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
chief seats . See note on Matthew 23:6 .
uppermost rooms = first couches or places.
at = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same as in. Mark 12:17 .
40.
Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
devour = eat up. Being occupied in making wills and conveyances of property, they abused their office.
greater damnation = heavier judgment.
41.
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Mark 12:41-44 is parallel with Luke 21:1-4 . See notes there.
the treasury. Situated in the women's court, occupying about 200 feet square, and surrounded by a colonnade. Inside, against the wall, were thirteen receptacles, called "trumpets" (from their shape) nine being for legal dues, and four for voluntary contributions. All labelled for their special objects.
beheld = observed thoughtfully. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .
cast = are casting.
money = copper money; called prutah, two of which made a farthing.
into. Greek. eis. App-104 .
cast in = were casting [in] (as He looked on),
much = many [coins]. Referring to number, not to value.
42.
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
a certain poor widow = one poor widow.
threw = cast, as above,
mites. Pl, of lepton = the small thin Jewish copper coin (from leptos = peeled, or pared down). Occ only here, and Luke 12:59 ; Luke 21:2 . See App-51 .
a farthing. Greek. kodrantes. A [Roman] quadrans ; i.e. a fourth, being a fourth of the Roman " as ". Hence a fourthing = our farthing. Occurs only here, and Matthew 5:26 . See App-51 .
43.
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 .
this poor widow = this widow; and she a poor one.
44.
For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
of = out of. Greek ek. App-104 .
want = destitution.
all = the whole.
that = as much as.
living = life. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the means whereby her life was supported: i.e. her livelihood. Greek. bios. See App-170 .