Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
With one consent (apo miav). Some feminine substantive like gnwmhv or yuxhv has to be supplied. This precise idiom occurs nowhere else. It looked like a conspiracy for each one in his turn did the same thing.
To make excuse (paraiteisqai). This common Greek verb is used in various ways, to ask something from one (Mark 15:6), to deprecate or ask to avert (Hebrews 12:19), to refuse or decline (Acts 25:11), to shun or to avoid (II Timothy 2:23), to beg pardon or to make excuses for not doing or to beg (Luke 14:18 ff.). All these ideas are variations of aitew, to ask in the middle voice with para in composition.
The first (o prwtov). In order of time. There are three of the "many" ("all"), whose excuses are given, each more flimsy than the other.
I must needs (exw anagkhn). I have necessity. The land would still be there, a strange "necessity."
Have me excused (exe me parhthmenon). An unusual idiom somewhat like the English perfect with the auxiliary "have" and the modern Greek idiom with exw, but certainly not here a Greek periphrasis for parhthso. This perfect passive participle is predicate and agrees with me. See a like idiom in Mark 3:1; Luke 12:19 (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 902f.). The Latin had a similar idiom, habe me excusatum. Same language in verse Luke 14:19.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Luke 14:18:
Matthew 22:1
Luke 14:16
Luke 14:18
Luke 14:23
Acts 25:11
1 Timothy 4:7
Hebrews 12:19
Jude 1:3
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
Start Your Day with Scripture
Begin your day with God's Word — the Berean brings Scripture and commentary every morning.
Join 150,000+ subscribers growing daily in God's Word.
