“But his mother said.
‘No!
He is to be
Called
John.’”
καὶ ἀποκριθεῖσα ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ εἶπεν Οὐχί, ἀλλὰ κληθήσεται Ἰωάνης.
Luke said that Elizabeth, the mother of the child, intervened (καὶ ἀποκριθεῖσα ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ). She said no (εἶπεν Οὐχί), that his name was not going to be Zechariah, but he would be called John (ἀλλὰ κληθήσεται Ἰωάνης). I guess that during the 9 months of pregnancy, the 2 parents had agreed on what Zechariah had been asked to do.
“But the wise ones
Replied.
‘No!
There will not be enough
For you
And for us.
You had better go
To the dealers
To buy some
For yourselves.’”
ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ αἱ φρόνιμοι λέγουσαι Μή ποτε οὐ μὴ ἀρκέσῃ ἡμῖν καὶ ὑμῖν· πορεύεσθε μᾶλλον πρὸς τοὺς πωλοῦντας καὶ ἀγοράσατε ἑαυταῖς.
This parable story is unique to Matthew. Jesus continued with this story. The wise bridesmaids replied (ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ αἱ φρόνιμοι λέγουσαι) that they would not give the foolish ones any oil with a flat “no (οὐ).” They said that there would not be enough oil for both groups of them (Μή ποτε οὐ μὴ ἀρκέσῃ ἡμῖν καὶ ὑμῖν). Instead, they suggested that they go to some oil dealers (πορεύεσθε μᾶλλον πρὸς τοὺς πωλοῦντας) to buy some oil for themselves (καὶ ἀγοράσατε ἑαυταῖς). I am not sure what oil dealers would be open in the middle of the night. This seems like the wise ones gave a very self-righteous rude response.
“Let your word be.
‘Yes,’
‘Yes,’
‘No,’
‘No.’
‘Anything more than this
Comes
From the evil one.’”
ἔστω δὲ ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν ναὶ ναί, οὒ οὔ· τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἐστιν.
Matthew has Jesus say that their language should be simple (ἔστω δὲ ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν), by using only yes, yes, or no, no (ναὶ ναί, οὒ οὔ). There was not any need for anything more (τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων). In fact, if there is more, it probably comes from the evil one (ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἐστιν), either the devil or Satan, who are not explicitly mentioned here. This simple speech comment was once again unique to Matthew.
“If ten people remain
In one house,
They shall die.
If a relative,
One who burns
The dead,
Shall take up the body
To bring it
Out of the house,
Shall say to someone
In the innermost parts
Of the house,
‘Is there still anyone else
With you?’
The answer will come.
‘No!’
Then the relative will say.
‘Hush!
We must not mention
The name of Yahweh.’”
Amos pointed out that the destruction would be complete. If there were 10 people in any house, they would all die. If a relative came along to burn the bodies of the dead, he would call out to see if there was anyone left in the house. If the answer was no, then this relative would say to anyone around that they should not mention the name of Yahweh, in case they might be struck down also.
“Now when the fourteen days of the wedding celebration had ended that Raguel had sworn to observe for his daughter, Tobias came to Raguel and said.
‘Send me back!
I know that my father and mother do not believe
That they will see me again.
So, I beg of you, father, to let me go
So that I may return to my own father.
I have already explained to you how I left him.’
But Raguel said to Tobias.
‘Stay with me, my child!
I will send messengers to your father Tobit.
They will inform him about you.’
But Tobias replied.
‘No!
I beg you to send me back to my father.’
Raguel promptly gave Tobias his wife Sarah, as well as half of all his property, male and female slaves, oxen and sheep, donkeys and camels, clothing, money, and household goods.”
Tobias wanted to go home to his father and mother after the 14 day wedding celebration. Raguel wanted him to stay with him. He said that he could send messengers to his father to let him know that everything was okay with Tobias. Then, things got a little testy. Tobias said no. This is reminiscent of Jacob when he tried to leave Laban with his wives in Genesis, chapter 30. Tobias was insistent. He wanted to go home to his father. Finally, Raguel said okay. He then gave him Sarah as his wife, plus half of all that they owned. He apparently was a fairly rich man. He gave Tobias, male and female servants, all kinds of domestic and transportation animals, as well as clothing, money, and household goods. This would be quite a caravan.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 