his parents and the questioning with the doctors. His Gospel "sheds a sacred halo and celestial charm over infancy, as perpetuating the paradise of innocence in a sinful world. The first two chapters will always be the favorite chapters for children, and all who delight to gather around the manger of Bethlehem, and to rejoice with shepherds in the field and angels in heaven" (Schaff).

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE.

CHAPTER I.

PROLOGUE.

1. Forasmuch as (éπeidýπep). Only here in New Testament. A compound conjunction: èπeí, since, dý, as is well known, and rep, giving the sense of certainty.

Have taken in hand (èπexeípnoav). Used by Luke only. A literal translation. The word carries the sense of a difficult undertaking (see Acts xix. 13), and implies that previous attempts have not been successful. It occurs frequently in medical language. Hippocrates begins one of his medical treatises very much as Luke begins his gospel. "As many as have taken in hand (ẻπexeipnσav) to speak or to write concerning the healing art."

(ανατάξασθαι).

To set forth in order (avará§aodai). Only here in New Testament. The A. V. is true to the core of the word, which is Táσow, to put in order, or arrange. Rev. happily gives the force of the preposition àvà, up, by the rendering draw up.

A declaration (dinyno iv). Only here in New Testament. From dia, through, and yéoμai, to lead the way. Hence something which leads the reader through the mass of facts: a narrative, as A. V., with the accompanying idea of thoroughness. Note the singular number. Many took in hand to draw up, not narratives, but a narrative, embracing the whole of the

evangelic matter. The word was particularly applied to a medical treatise. Galen applies it at least seventy-three times to the writings of Hippocrates.

Which are most surely believed (τῶν πεπληροφορημένων). From πλήρης, full, and φορέω, the frequentative form of φέρω, to bring, meaning to bring frequently or habitually. Hence, to bring full measure; to fulfil. Compare 2 Tim. iv. 5, 17. Also of full assurance. Applied to persons. Rom. iv. 21; Heb. x. 22. As applied to things, therefore, the sense of the A. V. is inadmissible. Render as Rev., have been fulfilled. The word is chosen to indicate that these events happened in accordance with a preconceived design. Wyc., been filled in us.

Among us. Explained by the words in the next sentence, who were eye-witnesses and ministers.

2. Even as. Referring to the composition of the narrative.

Delivered (πapédoσav). Not necessarily excluding written traditions, but referring mainly to oral tradition. Note the dis-" tinction between the many who attempted to draw up a narrative and the eye-witnesses and ministers who handed down the facts.

From the beginning (a ȧpxs). the commencement of Jesus' ministry. 22; John xv. 27.

The official beginning,
Compare Acts i. 1, 21,

Eye-witnesses and ministers. Personal knowledge and practical experience were necessary elements of an apostle. Eye-witnesses (aйтóπтаι). Only here in New Testament. Peter uses another word, éπóπтаι (2 Pet. i: 16). Frequent in medical writers, of a personal examination of disease or of the parts of the body. Compare the modern medical term autopsy. Ministers (Unpéтai). See on Matt. v. 25. In medical language denoting the attendants or assistants of the principal physician.

3. Having had perfect understanding (πаρηкoλovInkóti). Incorrect. The verb means to follow closely, and hence to trace accurately. See 2 Tim. iii. 10, where Rev. reads thou didst follow for thou hast fully known. Rev. renders here having traced the course. The word occurs frequently in medical writings, and sometimes, as here, with ȧxpißws, accurately. Tynd., having searched out diligently.

From the very first (ävwdev). Lit., from above; the events being conceived in a descending series.

Accurately (ἀκριβῶς) From ἄκρον, the highest or farthest point. Hence to trace down to the last and minutest detail.

In order (xaJens). Used by Luke only.

(καθεξής).

4. Mightest know (Tyvos). See on Matt. vii. 16. With the idea of full knowledge; or, as regards Theophilus, of more accurate knowledge than is possible from the many who have undertaken the narration.

Certainty (dopáλeiav). From ȧ, not, and σpáxλoμai, to fall. Hence steadfastness, stability, security against error.

Wast instructed (Kaτnxnns). From Kaтnxéw, to resound; to teach by word of mouth; and so, in Christian writers, to instruct orally in the elements of religion. It would imply that Theophilus had, thus far, been orally instructed. See on delivered, ver. 2. The word catechumen is derived from it.

Things (Móywv). Properly words (so Wyc.), which Rev. gives in margin. If the word can mean thing at all, it is only in the sense of the thing spoken of; the subject or matter of discourse, in which sense it occurs often in classical Greek. Some render it accounts, histories; others, doctrines of the faith. Godet translates instruction, and claims that not only the facts of the gospel, but the exposition of the facts with a view to show their evangelical meaning and to their appropria

tion by faith, are included in the word. There is force in this idea; and if we hold to the meaning histories, or even words, this sense will be implied in the context. Luke has drawn up his account in order that Theophilus may have fuller knowledge concerning the accounts which he has heard by word of mouth. That his knowledge may go on from the facts, to embrace their doctrinal and evangelical import; that he may see the facts of Jesus' life and ministry as the true basis of the Gospel of salvation.

THE NARRATIVE.

5. King. A title decreed to Herod by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Antony and Octavius. The Greek style now gives place to the Hebraized style. See Introduction.

The college of
Each of these

Course (épnμepías). Lit., daily service. (ἐφημερίας). priests was divided into twenty-four courses. did duty for eight days, from one Sabbath to another, once every six months. The service of the week was subdivided among the various families which constituted a course. On Sabbaths the whole course was on duty. On feast-days any priest might come up and join in the ministrations of the sanctuary; and at the Feast of Tabernacles all the twenty-four courses were bound to be present and officiate. The course of Abijah was the eighth of the twenty-four. See 1 Chron. xxiv. 10.

6. Before God. A Hebrew expression. Compare Gen. vii. 1; Acts viii. 21.

7. Well stricken (TроßeßηKóтes). Lit., advanced. Wyc., had gone far in their days.

9. His lot was (eλaxe). Four lots were drawn to determine the order of the ministry of the day: the first, before daybreak, to designate the priests who were to cleanse the altar and prepare its fires; the second for the priest who was to offer the sacrifice and cleanse the candlestick and the altar of incense;