{Or else} (ei de m(8867)e). Same idiom in 5:36 . Luke is
fond of this formula. {An ambassage} (presbeian). Old and
common word for the office of ambassador, composed of old men
(presbeis) like Japanese Elder Statesmen who are supposed to
possess wisdom. In the N.T. only here and Lu 19:14 . {Asketh
conditions of peace} (er(9374)(8369) pros eir(886e)(886e)). The use of er(9374)a(935c)
in this sense of beg or petition is common in the papyri and
_Koin(825f) generally. The original use of asking a question survives
also. The text is uncertain concerning pros eir(886e)(886e) which means
with er(9374)a(935c), to ask negotiations for peace. In B we have eis
instead of pros like verse 28 . Most MSS. have a before
pros or eis, but not in Aleph and B. It is possible that the
a was omitted because of preceding ai (homoeoteleuton),
but the sense is the same. See Ro 14:19 a t(8873) eir(886e)(8873), the
things of peace, which concern or look towards peace, the
preliminaries of peace.
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