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Question: When ἀλλὰ is used substantially as εἰ μὴ, are they precisely the same, as after the transfiguration scene, &c.? Compare Matt. 17:88And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. (Matthew 17:8) with Mark 9:88And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. (Mark 9:8). O. P.
Answer: I do not think them the same. For εἰ μὴ supposes already that there is that one of the kind to which the negative generally applies; it is an exception. But ἀλλὰ retains its adversative force as to the whole, but something modifies it in result. Thus in Matt. 11:2727All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Matthew 11:27) there is one who knows—no one else except—in chapter xii. 4 it was lawful to none else except. In Matt. 17:88And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. (Matthew 17:8) they saw no one, οὐδέωα εἶδον εἰ μὴ τὸω Ἰ. In Mark 9:88And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. (Mark 9:8), “and suddenly looking round,” οὐκέτι οὐδένα εἶδον, ἀλλὰ τὸνἸ Here the scene had disappeared, but they saw Jesus alone with themselves. So in Matt. 20:2323And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. (Matthew 20:23), Mark 10:4040But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. (Mark 10:40), οὐκ ἔστιν ἔμὸν δοῦναι, that is all denied—only modified by ἀλλὰ οἷς ἡτοίμασται. He does not give places at all as His will, or His patronage, but to those for whom, &c. In Mark and Luke, if not Matthew, we have οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς, ὁ Θεός. Naturally, good ones were before His mind: He excludes all but God.