[b-greek] Re: Luke 10:4

From: B. D. Colt (babc@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Thu Jul 05 2001 - 16:54:06 EDT


On 4 Jul 01, at 22:03, Rbsads@aol.com wrote:

> MH BASTAZETE BALLANTION, MH PHRAN, MH UPODHMATA, KAI MHDENA KATA THN
> ODON ASPASHSQE
>
> "Do not carry a bag, a sack, sandals, and you may not greet anyone by
> the way."
>
> I have not read in any commentary a satisfactory interpretation of the
> command to greet no one along the way.
>
> Is there possibly a meaning or an understanding of ASPASHSQE that
> would imply that to greet someone could also have some sense of
> obtaining provisions?

Here is what Robertson says about it:

Luke 10:4
Purse [BALLANTION]. Old word for money-bag, sometimes a javelin
as if from [BALLW]. Only in Luke in the N.T. (10:4; 12:33; 22:35ff.).
See Luke 9:3=Mark 6:7f.=Matt. 10:9f. for the other similar items. Salute
no man on the way [MHDENA KATA THN HODON ASPASHSQ].
First aorist (ingressive) middle subjunctive with [MHDENA]. The peril
of such wayside salutations was palaver and delay. The King’s
business required haste. Elisha’s servant was not to tarry for
salutations or salaams (II Kings 4:29). These oriental greetings were
tedious, complicated, and often meddlesome if others were present or
engaged in a bargain.

and the IVP Bible Background Commentary says:

10:4. These apostles are to travel light, like some other groups; cf.
comment on 9:3. Essenes reportedly received such hospitality from
fellow Essenes in various cities that they did not need to take
provisions when they traveled. Greeting no one on the way indicates
the urgency of their prophetic mission representing God and not
themselves (cf. 1 Kings 13:9–10; 2 Kings 4:29; 9:3); it was offensive to
withhold greetings, and pious people tried to be the first to greet an
approaching person. (Jewish teachers agreed, however, that one
should not interrupt religious duties like prayer in order to greet
someone.)

For whatever you may think these are worth.



Barbara D. Colt, mailto:babc@ix.netcom.com
St John the Evangelist, San Francisco

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