{Very heavy} (katabarunomenoi). Perfective use of kata-
with the participle. Matthew has the simple verb. Mark's word is
only here in the N.T. and is rare in Greek writers. Mark has the
vivid present passive participle, while Matthew has the perfect
passive ebar(886d)enoi. {And they wist not what to answer him}
(kai ouk (8869)deisan ti apokrith(9373)in aut(9369)). Deliberative
subjunctive retained in the indirect question. Alone in Mark and
reminds one of the like embarrassment of these same three
disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration ( Mr 9:6 ). On both
occasions weakness of the flesh prevented their real sympathy
with Jesus in his highest and deepest experiences. "Both their
shame and their drowsiness would make them dumb" (Gould).