10:16 “The one who listens 1 to you listens to me, 2 and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects 3 the one who sent me.” 4
1 tn Grk “hears you”; but as the context of vv. 8-9 makes clear, it is response that is the point. In contemporary English, “listen to” is one way to express this function (L&N 31.56).
2 sn Jesus linked himself to the disciples’ message: Responding to the disciples (listens to you) counts as responding to him.
3 tn The double mention of rejection in this clause – ἀθετῶν ἀθετεῖ (aqetwn aqetei) in the Greek text – keeps up the emphasis of the section.
4 sn The one who sent me refers to God.
5 tn Grk “who reclines at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
6 tn The interrogative particle used here in the Greek text (οὐχί, ouci) expects a positive reply.
7 sn Jesus’ example of humble service, as one who serves, shows that the standard for a disciple is different from that of the world. For an example see John 13:1-17.