“They no longer
Dared
To ask him
Another question.”
οὐκέτι γὰρ ἐτόλμων ἐπερωτᾶν αὐτὸν οὐδέν.
Luke uniquely said here that the Sadducees no longer dared to ask him another question (οὐκέτι γὰρ ἐτόλμων ἐπερωτᾶν αὐτὸν οὐδέν). Case closed. Time to move on to a new subject. This complete victory for Jesus in this discussion about the resurrection can only be found here in Luke. Do you stop asking questions when you are satisfied?
“Jesus answered them.
‘I will also ask you
A question.
You tell me!’”
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς Ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς κἀγὼ λόγον, καὶ εἴπατέ μοι
Luke indicated that Jesus answered them (ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς). He was also going to ask them to respond (καὶ εἴπατέ μοι) to one question (Ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς κἀγὼ λόγον). This question of Jesus can be found in Matthew, chapter 21:24, and Mark, chapter 11:29, almost word for word. Mark said that Jesus responded to the question of the high priests, the Scribes, and the elders (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς) with a question of his own. He was going to ask them one question (Ἐπερωτήσω ὑμᾶς ἕνα λόγον). If they answered him (καὶ ἀποκρίθητέ μοι), he would then tell them by what authority he did all these things (καὶ ἐρῶ ὑμῖν ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ). Matthew indicated that Jesus responded to the high priest and the elders’ question (ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπ εν αὐτοῖς) with a question of his own. He was going to answer their question if they answered his one question (Ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς κἀγὼ λόγον ἕνα). If they answered him (ὃν ἐὰν εἴπητέ μοι), he would then tell them by what authority he did all these things (κἀγὼ ὑμῖν ἐρῶ ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ). This also seems like a fair response. Jesus had one question for them. If they answered that, he would answer their question, nice and simple. Have you ever questioned anyone who questioned you?
“But the twelve apostles
Understood
Nothing about
All these things.
In fact,
What he said
Was hidden
From them.
They did not grasp
What was said.”
καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐδὲν τούτων συνῆκαν, καὶ ἦν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο κεκρυμμένον ἀπ’ αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον τὰ λεγόμενα.
Luke uniquely added that 12 apostles did not understood anything about all these things (καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐδὲν τούτων συνῆκαν) about his future death and resurrection. In fact, what Jesus said was hidden from them (καὶ ἦν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο κεκρυμμένον ἀπ’ αὐτῶν), because they did not grasp what he said (καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον τὰ λεγόμενα). Despite Jesus’ attempt to inform his elite 12 apostles, they still did not understand what he was talking about. This is somewhat similar to earlier in chapter 9:45, where Luke said that the disciples did not understand this saying of Jesus (οἱ δὲ ἠγνόουν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο), because its meaning was veiled or concealed from them (καὶ ἦν παρακεκαλυμμένον ἀπ’ αὐτῶν). Thus, they could not comprehend it (ἵνα μὴ αἴσθωνται αὐτό). However, they were afraid (καὶ ἐφοβοῦντο) to ask Jesus (ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτὸν) about the meaning of this saying (περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τούτου). This saying about the reaction of the disciples can also be found in Matthew, chapter 17:23, and Mark, chapter 9:32. Mark, like Luke, said that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was talking about. They were afraid to ask or question him about this. Once again, Mark indicated that the disciples did not seem to understand everything that was going on around them. Matthew, on the other hand, said that on hearing this, the disciples were greatly vexed, pained, or distressed, since this was shocking news to them. Do you always understand what Jesus is talking about?
“If you then,
Who are evil,
Know how
To give good gifts
To your children,
How much more
Will the heavenly Father
Give the Holy Spirit
To those
Who ask him!”
εἰ οὖν ὑμεῖς πονηροὶ ὑπάρχοντες οἴδατε δόματα ἀγαθὰ διδόναι τοῖς τέκνοις ὑμῶν, πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὁ Πατὴρ ὁ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ δώσει Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον τοῖς αἰτοῦσιν αὐτόν.
Luke indicated that Jesus said that if they, who are evil (εἰ οὖν ὑμεῖς πονηροὶ ὑπάρχοντες), know how to give good gifts (οἴδατε δόματα ἀγαθὰ διδόναι) to their children (τοῖς τέκνοις ὑμῶν), how much more (πόσῳ μᾶλλον) will the heavenly Father (ὁ Πατὴρ ὁ ἐξ οὐρανοῦ) give the Holy Spirit (δώσει Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον) to those who ask him (τοῖς αἰτοῦσιν αὐτόν). This saying of Jesus is almost the same as in Matthew, chapter 7:11, indicating a common Q source. Luke alone mentioned giving the Holy Spirit instead of just giving good things, as in Matthew, who said that even the evil humans (εἰ οὖν ὑμεῖς πονηροὶ ὄντες), know how to give good gifts to their children (οἴδατε δόματα ἀγαθὰ διδόναι τοῖς τέκνοις ὑμῶν). How much more will your heavenly Father (πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς) give you good things (δώσει ἀγαθὰ), if you were to ask for them (τοῖς αἰτοῦσιν αὐτόν). Ask, and it will be granted. Prayer to the heavenly Father is easy. The Holy Spirit and good things are simply awaiting your request. What kind of requests do you make to God, the Father?
“I tell you!
Ask!
It will be given you.
Search!
You will find it.
Knock!
The door
Will be opened
For you.”
Κἀγὼ ὑμῖν λέγω, αἰτεῖτε, καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν· ζητεῖτε, καὶ εὑρήσετε· κρούετε, καὶ ἀνοιγήσεται ὑμῖν·
Luke indicated that Jesus told them with a solemn proclamation (Κἀγὼ ὑμῖν λέγω) that they should only ask (αἰτεῖτε), and then it would be given to them (καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν). They were to search (ζητεῖτε), and they would find it (καὶ εὑρήσετε). Just knock (κρούετε), and the door would be opened for them (καὶ ἀνοιγήσεται ὑμῖν). Matthew, chapter 7:7, has a similar saying of Jesus, almost word for word, indicating a common Q source. Jesus told them to ask (Αἰτεῖτε), and they would get it (καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν). Seek (ζητεῖτε), and they would find it (καὶ εὑρήσετε). Knock (κρούετε), and it would be opened (καὶ ἀνοιγήσεται ὑμῖν). Everything seemed so easy. All they had to do was request things from the Father and he would grant it. Do you make simple requests to God the Father?
“Do not bring us
To the time
Of trial!”
καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν.
Luke indicated that Jesus said that the Father should not lead us or bring us (καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς) to the time of trial, probation, testing, or temptation (εἰς πειρασμόν). Once again there is a later Byzantine text that says that we should be delivered from the evil one. Matthew, chapter 6:12-13 was slightly different. Jesus said that we should ask the Father not to lead us into temptation or be tested in a trial (καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν). Finally, we should ask the Father to rescue or deliver us from painful evil or the evil one (ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ). Luke simply talked about a time of trial, or a testing time. There was nothing about being delivered from evil in Luke, except in the later Byzantine text. Luke did not have the other later addition about the kingdom and glory of God, even in a later Byzantine text. Do you like to be tested?
“Just then,
A certain lawyer
Stood up
To test Jesus.
He said.
‘Teacher!
What must I do
To inherit eternal life?’”
Καὶ ἰδοὺ νομικός τις ἀνέστη ἐκπειράζων αὐτὸν λέγων Διδάσκαλε, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω;
Luke said that just then, a certain lawyer stood up (Καὶ ἰδοὺ νομικός τις ἀνέστη) to test Jesus (ἐκπειράζων αὐτὸν). He said, calling Jesus a teacher (λέγων Διδάσκαλε), what did he have to do to inherit eternal life (τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω)? Although there was a question like this in all 3 synoptics, there are nuanced differences. Matthew, chapter 22:35-36, had a Pharisee lawyer ask the question about the greatest commandment, and not about eternal life. Mark, chapter 12:28, had a Scribe, not a Pharisee lawyer ask the same question about the greatest commandment. In Luke, here, there was an unnamed lawyer, probably an expert in the Mosaic law, who wanted to know about how to gain eternal life. Mark had this unnamed Scribe approach Jesus, because he had heard the disciples discussing, disputing, or arguing with each other. He saw how Jesus had answered their questions so well. He was not there to test him, as here in Luke and Matthew, but he did question Jesus. Matthew had a lawyer, who was a Pharisee, question Jesus to explicitly test him. This Pharisee lawyer probably was someone skilled in the Mosaic law. He addressed Jesus in a very respectful tone calling him “Teacher” or rabbi (Διδάσκαλε), like Luke. He wanted to know which commandment of the law was the greatest, since there were 613 commandments in late Judaism. Thus, it would seem like a legitimate question with so many commandments or laws. Luke had the question about eternal life, but the other 2 synoptics questioned Jesus about the most important commandment. These questions were related, but not the same. 3 different people, with different motives, posed this question. Do you question people to learn something or to test them?
“But his disciples
Did not understand
This saying.
Its meaning
Was concealed
From them.
Thus,
They could not
Comprehend it.
They were afraid
To ask him
About this saying.”
οἱ δὲ ἠγνόουν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, καὶ ἦν παρακεκαλυμμένον ἀπ’ αὐτῶν ἵνα μὴ αἴσθωνται αὐτό, καὶ ἐφοβοῦντο ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτὸν περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τούτου.
Luke said that the disciples did not understand this saying of Jesus (οἱ δὲ ἠγνόουν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο), because its meaning was veiled or concealed from them (καὶ ἦν παρακεκαλυμμένον ἀπ’ αὐτῶν). Thus, they could not comprehend it (ἵνα μὴ αἴσθωνται αὐτό). However, they were afraid (καὶ ἐφοβοῦντο) to ask Jesus (ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτὸν) about the meaning of this saying (περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τούτου). This saying about the reaction of the disciples can also be found in Matthew, chapter 17:23, and Mark, chapter 9:32. Mark, like Luke, said that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was talking about. They were afraid to ask or question him about this. Once again, Mark indicated that the disciples did not seem to understand everything that was going on around them. Matthew, on the other hand, said that on hearing this, the disciples were greatly vexed, pained, or distressed, since this was shocking news to them. They seemed to understand what Jesus was taking about. Do you always understand what Jesus is talking about?
“When the men
Had come to Jesus,
They said.
‘John the Baptist
Has sent us
To ask you.
‘Are you the one
Who is to come?
Or Are we to wait
For another?’”
παραγενόμενοι δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνδρες εἶπαν Ἰωάνης ὁ Βαπτιστὴς ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς πρὸς σὲ λέγων Σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἢ ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν;
2
Luke said that the 2 disciples from John went to Jesus (παραγενόμενοι δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνδρες). They said (εἶπαν) that John the Baptist had sent them to him (Ἰωάνης ὁ Βαπτιστὴς ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς πρὸς σὲ) to ask him if he was the one to come (λέγων Σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος) or should they wait or expect another one (ἢ ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν)? This is the same question that can be found in Matthew, chapter 11:3, indicating a possible Q source. These disciples of John came to Jesus. They had one big important question to ask. Was he the expected Messiah or should they wait for someone else? Who are you waiting for?
“John summoned
Two of his disciples.
He sent them
To the Lord.
To ask.
‘Are you the one
Who is to come,
Or are we
To wait
For another?’”
καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος δύο τινὰς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ ὁ Ἰωάνης
ἔπεμψεν πρὸς τὸν Κύριον λέγων Σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ἢ ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν;
Luke said that John the Baptist summoned two of his disciples (καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος δύο τινὰς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ ὁ Ἰωάνης). He sent them to the Lord (ἔπεμψεν πρὸς τὸν Κύριον) to ask him if he was the one who was to come (λέγων Σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος)? Or should they wait for another (ἢ ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν)? Matthew, chapter 11:3 has something similar. John the Baptist sent a few of his disciples, rather than two as indicated by Luke. Notice that this is the first time that Matthew called Jesus the Christ (τοῦ Χριστοῦ), while Luke called him the Lord (Κύριον). Neither called him Jesus. The question in both Luke and Matthew is exactly the same, indicating a possible Q source. These disciples of John came to Jesus. They had one big important question to ask him. Was Jesus the expected Messiah or should they wait for someone else? The disciples of John were true messianic Jews, waiting for the Messiah. Did they not realize that Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptist? In fact, John had already met Jesus, had a conversation with him, and witnessed his baptism. What more did he need? In one sense this is strange since Luke already established that John and Jesus were cousins of some sort, so that they would have known each other, to say nothing about John’s baptism of Jesus. Is Jesus the one that you have been waiting for?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 