Mark 13:16

16. his garment] i. e. his “outer garment.”

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But woe to them that are with child,.... Who because of their burdens, would be very unfit for, and very incapable of fleeing with any haste; and therefore very liable to fall into the hands of the enemy, and become their prey:

and to them that give suck in those days; who could not bear to leave their children behind, and yet would not be able to carry them with them; at least not without great trouble, and which would much retard their flight, and endanger their being taken by the enemy; See Gill on Mat 24:19.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Ver. 16. {See Trapp on "Mat 24:18"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloke (to imation autou). This was the outer garment or pallium. They who worked in the field were accustomed to leave their cloak and their tunic at home; so that, half-stripped, they might be more free to labor. Therefore our Lord warns them that in this impending destruction, so suddenly would it come, they must be ready to fly just as they were. It was the direction given to Lot, "Escape for thy life; look not behind thee."

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. ὁ εἰς τὸν ἀγρόν. Perhaps, “The man who has gone to his field.” But, in late Greek, εἰς answers both Whither? and Where? cf. Mar 1:39, Mar 10:10; in both places inferior texts substitute ἐν for εἰς. In Cornwall “up to” = “at.” Here Mt. has ἐν. Blass § 39. 3. See on Mar 13:27.

εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω. Freq. in the Gospels (Luk 9:62; Luk 17:31; Joh 6:66; Joh 18:6; Joh 20:14; cf. Php 3:13), and in LXX. “The passage recalls Lot’s escape from Sodom, Gen 19:17” (Swete).

τὸ ἱμάτιον αὐτοῦ. Almost indispensable for a journey (Act 12:8): nevertheless the risk in going back to fetch it would be too great. The man would leave it behind in going to work and would wear only a χιτών (Mar 6:9) = “shirt,” or a σινδών (Mar 14:51) = “loin-cloth.” Cf. Virg. Geor. i. 299. See on Mar 10:50.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. Καὶ ὁ εἰς τὸν ἀγρὸν μὴ ἐπιστρεψάτω εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω ἄραι τὸ ἱμάτιον—and let not him who is in the field turn back to take his outer garment. The picture is of a man who has left his outer garment in the house for work in the field.

Omit ὢν after ἀγρὸν, Tisch. Treg. WH. RV. א BDL Δ 1, 28, 209, 245, 299, mss. Lat. Vet. Memph.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.