1:18 Zechariah 5 said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? 6 For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.” 7
6:25 “Woe to you who are well satisfied with food 15 now, for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you 16 who laugh 17 now, for you will mourn and weep.
6:26 “Woe to you 18 when all people 19 speak well of you, for their ancestors 20 did the same things to the false prophets.
1 tn The conjunction “so” is supplied here to bring out the force of the latter part of this Greek sentence, which the translation divides up because of English style. Luke, in compiling his account, is joining a tradition with good precedent.
2 sn When Luke says it seemed good to me as well he is not being critical of the earlier accounts, but sees himself stepping into a tradition of reporting about Jesus to which he will add uniquely a second volume on the early church when he writes the Book of Acts.
3 tn Grk “having followed”; the participle παρηκολουθηκότι (parhkolouqhkoti) has been translated causally.
4 sn An orderly account does not necessarily mean that all events are recorded in the exact chronological sequence in which they occurred, but that the account produced is an orderly one. This could include, for example, thematic or topical order rather than strict chronological order.
5 tn Grk “And Zechariah.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
6 tn Grk “How will I know this?”
7 tn Grk “is advanced in days” (an idiom for old age).
8 tn Or “reasonings” (in a hostile sense). See G. Schrenk, TDNT 2:97.
9 sn The remark the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed shows that how people respond to Jesus indicates where their hearts really are before God.
10 sn A sword refers to a very large, broad two-edged sword. The language is figurative, picturing great pain. Though it refers in part to the cross, it really includes the pain all of Jesus’ ministry will cause, including the next event in Luke 2:41-52 and extending to the opposition he faced throughout his ministry.
11 sn This remark looks to be parenthetical and addressed to Mary alone, not the nation. Many modern English translations transpose this to make it the final clause in Simeon’s utterance as above to make this clear.
12 tn Grk “And all.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
13 tn Grk “And they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
14 sn The form of the question assumes a positive reply. It really amounts to an objection, as Jesus’ response in the next verses shows. Jesus spoke smoothly and impressively. He made a wonderful declaration, but could a local carpenter’s son make such an offer? That was their real question.
15 tn Grk “who are filled.” See L&N 23.18 for the translation “well satisfied with food.”
16 tc The wording “to you” (ὑμῖν, Jumin) is lacking in several witnesses (א B K L T W Θ Ξ 0147 Ë1,13 579 700 892 1241 2542 al), though found in most (Ì75 A D Q Ψ 33 Ï lat co). The longer reading looks to be a clarifying addition; nevertheless, “to you” is included in the translation because of English requirements.
17 sn That is, laugh with happiness and joy.
18 tc The wording “to you” (ὑμῖν, Jumin) is lacking throughout the ms tradition except for a few witnesses (D W* Δ 1424 pc co). The Western witnesses tend to add freely to the text. Supported by the vast majority of witnesses and the likelihood that “to you” is a clarifying addition, the shorter reading should be considered original; nevertheless, “to you” is included in the translation because of English requirements.
19 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.
20 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
21 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the nobleman of v. 12, now a king) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
22 tn See Luke 16:10.
23 sn The faithful slave received expanded responsibility (authority over ten cities) as a result of his faithfulness; this in turn is an exhortation to faithfulness for the reader.