14:7 Then 5 when Jesus 6 noticed how the guests 7 chose the places of honor, 8 he told them a parable. He said to them,
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events in the discourse.
2 tn Grk “they”; the referent (people who will come to participate in the kingdom) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Grk “and recline 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. The word “banquet” has been supplied to clarify for the modern reader the festive nature of the imagery The banquet imagery is a way to describe the fellowship and celebration of accompanying those who are included as the people of God at the end.
4 sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus. It is a realm in which Jesus rules and to which those who trust him belong. See Luke 6:20; 11:20; 17:20-21.
5 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
6 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7 tn Grk “those who were invited.”
8 tn Or “the best places.” The “places of honor” at the meal would be those closest to the host.
9 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.
10 tn This term, φόβητρον (fobhtron), occurs only here in the NT. It could refer to an object, event, or condition that causes fear, but in the context it is linked with great signs from heaven, so the translation “sights” was preferred.
11 sn See Jer 4:13-22; 14:12; 21:6-7.