many

May 27, 2019

Five cities (Lk 19:19-19:19)

“The nobleman

Said to the second slave.

‘You!

Rule over five cities!’”

 

εἶπεν δὲ καὶ τούτῳ Καὶ σὺ ἐπάνω γίνου πέντε πόλεων.

 

Luke indicated that Jesus said the nobleman told the second slave (ἶπεν δὲ καὶ τούτῳ) that he was going to rule over 5 cities (Καὶ σὺ ἐπάνω γίνου πέντε πόλεων).  Since this second trader slave had done well, he was put in charge of 5 cities.  There was something similar in Matthew, chapter 25:23, perhaps indicating a Q source.  Jesus said that this master said to this second diligent trader slave (ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ) that he done a good job (Εὖ).  He was a good trustworthy slave (δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ).  As he had been trustworthy or faithful in a few things (ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός), this master was going to put him in charge or appoint him over many things (ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω), without being specific.  This second slave was to enter into the joy of his master or lord (εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου).  Notice that the Greek wording in Matthew, was exactly the same, word for word, as it was for the first slave with the 5 talents.  They both belonged in the same category as good trustworthy faithful slaves.  Meanwhile, Luke was giving both these slave earthly responsibilities, being in charge of 5 and 10 cities.  What is the best reward you ever got?

May 27, 2019

Authority over ten cities (Lk 19:17-19:17)

“The nobleman

Said to the first slave.

‘Well done!

Good slave!

Because you have been

Trustworthy

In a very small thing,

Take charge

Of ten cities!’”

 

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Εὖγε, ἀγαθὲ δοῦλε, ὅτι ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ πιστὸς ἐγένου, ἴσθι ἐξουσίαν ἔχων ἐπάνω δέκα πόλεων.

 

Luke indicated that Jesus said that the nobleman told the first slave (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ) that he had done well as a good slave (Εὖγε, ἀγαθὲ δοῦλε).  He had been trustworthy in a very small thing (ὅτι ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ πιστὸς ἐγένου), he was now going to be put in charge of 10 cities (ἴσθι ἐξουσίαν ἔχων ἐπάνω δέκα πόλεων).  There is something similar in Matthew, chapter 25:21, perhaps indicating a Q source.  Jesus said that this master or lord said to this diligent trader slave (ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ) that he done a good job (Εὖ).  He was a good trustworthy slave (δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ).  As he had been trustworthy or faithful in a few things (ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός), this master was going to put him in charge or appoint him over many things (ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω), without being specific.  This first slave was to enter into the joy of his master or lord (εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου).  This idea of being in the presence of his master was similar to the idea of being in the presence of God.  However, Luke had a more specific earthly reward.  Have you ever received a reward for some work that you did?

September 4, 2018

Jesus wants to know his name (Mk 5:9-5 9)

“Then Jesus asked him.

‘What is your name?’

He replied.

‘My name is Legion!

We are many!’”

 

καὶ ἐπηρώτα αὐτόν Τί ὄνομά σοι; καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ Λεγιὼν ὄνομά μοι, ὅτι πολλοί ἐσμεν.

 

This is similar to Luke, chapter 8:30.  This is the famous question and answer that has taken on a life of its own in many apocalyptic works about evil spirits.  Mark indicated that Jesus asked, questioned, or interrogated this unclean spirit (καὶ ἐπηρώτα αὐτόν), what his name was (Τί ὄνομά σοι)?  This was common in most expulsions of evil spirits to know the name of the one being expelled in order to control them.  The unclean spirit responded to Jesus (καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ) that his name was “Legion (Λεγιὼν ὄνομά μοι),” a Latin term.  A Roman legion would have been about 6,000 men.  Thus, the unclean spirit was responding that there were many unclean spirits (ὅτι πολλοί ἐσμεν), perhaps as many as 6,000.

February 5, 2015

The agreement and the dispute (Ezra 10:12-10:15)

“Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice. ‘It is so. We must do as you have said. But the people are many. It is the time of heavy rain. We cannot stand in the open. Nor is this a task for one day or for two days. Many of us have transgressed in this matter. Let our officials represent the whole assembly. Let all in our towns who have taken foreign wives come at appointed times. Let them come with the elders and judges of every town, until the fierce wrath of our God over this account be averted from us.’ Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this. Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them.”

At first, they all agreed that Ezra was right. However, second thoughts began to creep in, buyer’ remorse. It was the rainy season. There are a lot of us. This might take time. More and more excuses began to emerge. In fact, a couple of people, at least 2 are mentioned, objected to this whole process. It is unclear whether they did not like the process or the whole idea of getting rid of foreign wives. A few other people had the name of Jonathan, but this is the only mention of him here, while Jahzeiah only appears here.   Meshullam came up with Ezra and also assisted in the taking of names. Shabbethai shows up later in Nehemiah.