Luke 2:34

2:34 Then 1  Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: 2  This child 3  is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising 4  of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. 5 

Luke 12:37

12:37 Blessed are those slaves 6  whom their master finds alert 7  when he returns! I tell you the truth, 8  he will dress himself to serve, 9  have them take their place at the table, 10  and will come 11  and wait on them! 12 

Luke 13:35

13:35 Look, your house is forsaken! 13  And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” 14 

1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

2 tn Grk “behold.”

3 tn Grk “this one”; the referent (the child) is supplied in the translation for clarity.

4 sn The phrase the falling and rising of many emphasizes that Jesus will bring division in the nation, as some will be judged (falling) and others blessed (rising) because of how they respond to him. The language is like Isa 8:14-15 and conceptually like Isa 28:13-16. Here is the first hint that Jesus’ coming will be accompanied with some difficulties.

5 tn Grk “and for a sign of contradiction.”

6 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.

7 tn Or “watching”; Grk “awake,” but in context this is not just being awake but alert and looking out.

8 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

9 tn See v. 35 (same verb).

10 tn Grk “have them 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.

11 tn The participle παρελθών (parelqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

12 sn He…will come and wait on them is a reversal of expectation, but shows that what Jesus asks for he is willing to do as well; see John 13:5 and 15:18-27, although those instances merely foreshadow what is in view here.

13 sn Your house is forsaken. The language here is from Jer 12:7 and 22:5. It recalls exilic judgment.

14 sn A quotation from Ps 118:26. The judgment to come will not be lifted until the Lord returns. See Luke 19:41-44.