Luke 2:10

2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, 1  for I proclaim to you good news 2  that brings great joy to all the people:

Luke 6:23

6:23 Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy, because 3  your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors 4  did the same things to the prophets. 5 

Luke 15:10

15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels 6  over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 24:41

24:41 And while they still could not believe it 7  (because of their joy) and were amazed, 8  he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 9 

1 tn Grk “behold.”

2 tn Grk “I evangelize to you great joy.”

3 tn Grk “because behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this clause has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

4 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”

5 sn Mistreatment of the prophets is something Luke often notes (Luke 11:47-51; Acts 7:51-52).

6 sn The whole of heaven is said to rejoice. Joy in the presence of God’s angels is a way of referring to God’s joy as well without having to name him explicitly. Contemporary Judaism tended to refer to God indirectly where possible out of reverence or respect for the divine name.

7 sn They still could not believe it. Is this a continued statement of unbelief? Or is it a rhetorical expression of their amazement? They are being moved to faith, so a rhetorical force is more likely here.

8 sn Amazement is the common response to unusual activity: 1:63; 2:18; 4:22; 7:9; 8:25; 9:43; 11:14; 20:26.

9 sn Do you have anything here to eat? Eating would remove the idea that a phantom was present. Angelic spirits refused a meal in Jdt 13:16 and Tob 12:19, but accepted it in Gen 18:8; 19:3 and Tob 6:6.