Luke 23:27-32
Followed ( ηκολουθε ). Imperfect active, was following. Verses 27-32 are peculiar to Luke.Bewailed ( εκοπτοντο ). Imperfect middle of κοπτω, to cut, smite, old and common verb. Direct middle, they were smiting themselves on the breast. "In the Gospels there is no instance of a woman being hostile to Christ" (Plummer). Luke's Gospel is appropriately called the Gospel of Womanhood (1:39-56; 2:36-38; 7:11-15, 37-50; 8:1-3; 10:38-42; 11:27; 13:11-16).
Lamented ( εθρηνουν ). Imperfect active of θρηνεω, old verb from θρεομα, to cry aloud, lament.
Turning ( στραφεις ). Luke is fond of this second aorist passive participle of στρεφω (7:9, 44, 55; 10:23). If he had been still carrying the Cross, he could not have made this dramatic gesture.
Weep not ( μη κλαιετε ). Present active imperative with μη, Stop weeping.
Blessed ( μακαρια ). A beatitude to the barren, the opposite of the hopes of Jewish mothers. Childless women are commiserated (1:25, 36).
To the hills ( τοις βουνοις ). A Cyrenaic word. In the N.T. only here and 3:5. Quotation from Ho 10:8.
In the green tree ( εν υγρω ξυλω ). Green wood is hard to burn and so is used for the innocent.
In the dry ( εν τω ξηρω ). Dry wood kindles easily and is a symbol for the guilty. This common proverb has various applications. Here the point is that if they can put Jesus to death, being who he is, what will happen to Jerusalem when its day of judgment comes?
What shall be done ( τ γενητα ). Deliberative subjunctive.
Were led (gonto). Imperfect passive of αγÂω, were being led.
Malefactors ( κακουργο ). Evil ( κακον ), doers (work, εργον ). Old word, but in the N.T. only in this passage (32, 33, 39) and 2Ti 2:9. Luke does not call them "robbers" like Mr 15:27; Mt 27:38, 44.
To be put to death ( αναιρεθηνα ). First aorist passive infinitive of αναιρεω, old verb, to take up, to take away, to kill.
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