rwp - Matthew:9:27-34

rwp@Matthew:9:27 @{As Jesus passed by} (\paragonti Isou\). Associative instrumental case with \kolouthsan\. It was the supreme opportunity of these two blind men. Note two demoniacs in strkjv@Matthew:8:28| and two blind men in strkjv@Matthew:20:30|. See the same word \paragn\ used of Jesus in strkjv@9:9|.

rwp@Matthew:9:29 @{Touched their eyes} (\hpsato tn ophthalmn\). The men had faith (9:28|) and Jesus rewards their faith and yet he touched their eyes as he sometimes did with kindly sympathy.

rwp@Matthew:9:30 @{Were opened} (\neichthsan\). Triple augment (on \oi=i, e\ and then on preposition \an = n\). {Strictly charged them} (\enebrimth autois\). A difficult word, compound of \en\ and \brimaomai\ (to be moved with anger). It is used of horses snorting (Aeschylus, _Theb_. 461), of men fretting or being angry (Daniel:11:30|). Allen notes that it occurs twice in Mark (Mark:1:43; strkjv@14:5|) when Matthew omits it. It is found only here in Matthew. John has it twice in a different sense (John:11:33| with \en heauti\). Here and in strkjv@Mark:1:32| it has the notion of commanding sternly, a sense unknown to ancient writers. Most manuscripts have the middle \enebrimsato\, but Aleph and B have the passive \enebrimth\ which Westcott and Hort accept, but without the passive sense (cf. \apekrith\). "The word describes rather a rush of deep feeling which in the synoptic passages showed itself in a vehement injunctive and in strkjv@John:11:33| in look and manner" (McNeile). Bruce translates Euthymius Zigabenus on strkjv@Mark:1:32|: "Looked severely, contracting His eyebrows, and shaking His head at them as they are wont to do who wish to make sure that secrets will be kept." "See to it, let no one know it" (\horate, mdeis ginsket\). Note elliptical change of persons and number in the two imperatives.

rwp@Matthew:9:32 @{A dumb man} (\kphon\). Literally blunted in tongue as here and so dumb, in ear as in strkjv@Matthew:11:5| and so deaf. Homer used it of a blunted dart (_Iliad_ xi. 390). Others applied it to mental dulness.

rwp@Matthew:9:34 @{By the prince of the devils} (\en ti archonti tn daimonin\). Demons, not devils. The codex Bezae omits this verse, but it is probably genuine. The Pharisees are becoming desperate and, unable to deny the reality of the miracles, they seek to discredit them by trying to connect Jesus with the devil himself, the prince of the demons. They will renew this charge later (Matthew:12:24|) when Jesus will refute it with biting sarcasm.