An interesting example of the criticism to which the New
Testament narrative is subjected may be found in the current number of the Expository Times (T. and T. Clark, 6d.) under the title of "The Logic; of the Baptist." The writer, the Rev. J. C. Todd, finds in Lae iii. 1-20 what he calls a "source document of the Baptist's teaching." We cannot give the argument; perhaps the most important point is the suggestion that in the arre4perre %tate of verse 16 the second word is a Christian interpolation. tlreiSia is "wind," not "spirit." The coming "stronger man" will throw up the grain with his winnowing-shovel against this wind, and the fire will burn the chaff which is thus separated. This is attractive; but it is a little too much to say that we are to accept an ill-supported reading—all the great Codices have 'A34— "without hesitation" because it has survived. Dr. A. B. Bruce ("Expositor's Greek Testament") suggests that possibly "Luke
read an Evangelic sense into John's words." - • •
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