When; but … when (Revised Version); ὅταν δέ. St. Matthew does not bring this forward as a separate utterance; he wishes the connexion between it and the preceding to be seen. There is a contrast between the behaviour of the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba, and that of the Jews.
The unclean spirit (Matthew 10:1, note) is gone out of a (the, Revised Version) man ( τὸ πνεῦμα … τοῦ ἀνθρώπου). The first article is inserted for the sake of vividness; the second points back to the spirit; he leaves the man in whom he had dwelt.
The two together make the saying parabolic instead of abstract. He walketh; passeth (Revised Version); διέρχεται. Perhaps merely "goes through," with the connotation of distance traversed (John 4:15; Acts 9:38), but probably "goes about," i.
e. to different spots (cf. Luke 9:6; Acts 8:4, Acts 8:40; Acts 20:25, and so of a rumour being spread abroad, Luke 5:15), in restless wandering. Through dry (waterless, Revised Version; δι ἀνύδρων) places.
Which supplied nothing wherewith he might refresh himself (Psalms 63:1), and which would, of course, have no houses (Psalms 107:4-7, Psalms 107:33-36). Seeking rest (Matthew 11:28, Matthew 11:29, notes), and findeth none; and findeth it not (Revised Version).