22:8. —In this verse the word “Christ” is omitted by the Revisers.
23:24 — “Which strain out the gnat.” There can be no doubt whatever that this is the true meaning of the text. The rendering “which strain at a gnat” conveys a wholly different idea, of which there is no trace in the original.
24:12. — “The love of the many.” The insertion of the definite article is here of great importance. “The love of many” is a phrase which conveys no definite idea, but “ the many” is an expression very common in the prophetical writings, as referring to the great mass of the Jewish nation. Thus, for example, we find in Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27), that a covenant is to be confirmed with “the many” (the article is present in the Hebrew), that is to say, with the majority of the Jews. In the latter days the Jewish nation will be divided into two parts, “the many,” who receive the Antichrist as their Messiah, and the remnant, also called “ they that understand among the people” (Daniel 11:3333And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. (Daniel 11:33)). In this verse in Matthew the defection of the many is foretold.
24:33. — “Know ye that he is nigh.” This may also be rendered, as the margin adds, “that it is nigh;” but the former is probably the right interpretation, as the question asked by the disciples at the beginning of the Chapter was, “ What shall be the sign of thy coming (or presence)?” The answer is given in the 33rd verse.
(To be continued.)