rwp - Luke:17:1-10

rwp@Luke:17:1 @{It is impossible} (\anendekton estin\). See \ouk endechetai\ in strkjv@13:33|. Alpha privative (\an-\) and \endektos\, verbal adjective, from \endechomai\. The word occurs only in late Greek and only here in the N.T. The meaning is inadmissible, unallowable. {But that occasions of stumbling should come} (\tou ta skandala m elthein\). This genitive articular infinitive is not easy to explain. In strkjv@Acts:10:25| there is another example where the genitive articular infinitive seems to be used as a nominative (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1040). The loose Hebrew infinitive construction may have a bearing here, but one may recall that the original infinitives were either locatives (\-eni\) or datives (\-ai\). \Ta skandala\ is simply the accusative of general reference. Literally, the not coming as to occasions of stumbling. For \skandalon\ (a trap) see on ¯Matthew:5:29; strkjv@16:23|. It is here only in Luke. The positive form of this saying appears in strkjv@Matthew:18:7|, which see.

rwp@Luke:17:2 @{It were well for him} (\lusitelei auti\). An old word, but only here in the N.T., from \lusitels\ and this from \lu\, to pay, and \ta tel\, the taxes. Songs:it pays the taxes, it returns expenses, it is profitable. Literally here, "It is profitable for him" (dative case, \auti\). Matthew has \sumpherei\ (it is advantageous, bears together for). {If a millstone were hanged} (\ei lithos mulikos perikeitai\). Literally, "if a millstone is hanged." Present passive indicative from \perikeimai\ (to lie or be placed around). It is used as a perfect passive of \peritithmi\. Songs:it is a first-class condition, determined as fulfilled, not second-class as the English translations imply. \Mulikos\ is simply a stone (\lithos\), belonging to a mill. Here only in the text of Westcott and Hort, not in strkjv@Mark:9:42| which is like strkjv@Matthew:18:6| \mulos onikos\ where the upper millstone is turned by an ass, which see. {Were thrown} (\erriptai\). Perfect passive indicative from \rhipt\, old verb. Literally, is thrown or has been thrown or cast or hurled. Mark has \bebltai\ and Matthew \katapontisthi\, which see, all three verbs vivid and expressive. Rather than (\\). The comparative is not here expressed before \\ as one would expect. It is implied in \lusitelei\. See the same idiom in strkjv@Luke:15:7|.

rwp@Luke:17:3 @{If thy brother sin} (\ean hamarti\). Second aorist (ingressive) subjunctive in condition of third class.

rwp@Luke:17:4 @{Seven times in a day} (\heptakis ts hmeras\). Seven times within the day. On another occasion Peter's question (Matthew:18:21|) brought Christ's answer "seventy times seven" (verse 22|), which see. Seven times during the day would be hard enough for the same offender.

rwp@Luke:17:5 @{Increase} (\prosthes\). Second aorist active imperative of \prostithmi\, to add to. Bruce thinks that this sounds much like the stereotyped petition in church prayers. A little reflection will show that they should answer the prayer themselves.

rwp@Luke:17:6 @{If ye have} (\ei echete\). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true. {Ye would say} (\elegete an\). Imperfect active with \an\ and so a conclusion (apodosis) of the second class, determined as unfulfilled, a mixed condition therefore. {Sycamine tree} (\sukamini\). At the present time both the black mulberry (sycamine) and the white mulberry (sycamore) exist in Palestine. Luke alone in the N.T. uses either word, the sycamine here, the sycamore in strkjv@19:4|. The distinction is not observed in the LXX, but it is observed in the late Greek medical writers for both trees have medicinal properties. Hence it may be assumed that Luke, as a physician, makes the distinction. Both trees differ from the English sycamore. In strkjv@Matthew:17:20| we have "mountain" in place of "sycamine tree." {Be thou rooted up} (\ekrizthti\). First aorist passive imperative as is \phuteuthti\. {Would have obeyed} (\hupkousen an\). First aorist active indicative with \an\, apodosis of a second-class condition (note aorist tense here, imperfect \elegete\).

rwp@Luke:17:7 @{Sit down to meat} (\anapese\). Recline (for the meal). Literally, fall up (or back).

rwp@Luke:17:8 @{And will not rather say} (\all' ouk erei\). {But will not say?} \Ouk\ in a question expects the affirmative answer. {Gird thyself} (\perizsamenos\). Direct middle first aorist participle of \periznnumi\, to gird around. {Till I have eaten and drunken} (\hes phag kai pi\). More exactly, till I eat and drink. The second aorist subjunctives are not future perfects in any sense, simply punctiliar action, effective aorist. {Thou shalt eat and drink} (\phagesai kai piesai\). Future middle indicative second person singular, the uncontracted forms \-esai\ as often in the _Koin_. These futures are from the aorist stems \ephagon\ and \epion\ without _sigma_.

rwp@Luke:17:9 @{Does he thank?} (\m echei charin;\). \M\ expects the negative answer. \Ech charin\, to have gratitude toward one, is an old Greek idiom (1Timothy:1:12; strkjv@2Timothy:1:3; strkjv@Hebrews:12:28|).

rwp@Luke:17:10 @{Unprofitable} (\achreioi\). The Syriac Sinaitic omits "unprofitable." The word is common in Greek literature, but in the N.T. only here and strkjv@Matthew:25:30| where it means "useless" (\a\ privative and \chreios\ from \chraomai\, to use). The slave who only does what he is commanded by his master to do has gained no merit or credit. "In point of fact it is not commands, but demands we have to deal with, arising out of special emergencies" (Bruce). The slavish spirit gains no promotion in business life or in the kingdom of God.