2:15 When 7 the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem 8 and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord 9 has made known to us.”
4:16 Now 13 Jesus 14 came to Nazareth, 15 where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue 16 on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. 17 He 18 stood up to read, 19
4:42 The next morning 20 Jesus 21 departed and went to a deserted place. Yet 22 the crowds were seeking him, and they came to him and tried to keep him from leaving them.
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the consequential nature of the action.
2 sn On Nazareth see Luke 1:26.
map For location see Map1-D3; Map2-C2; Map3-D5; Map4-C1; Map5-G3.
3 tn Or “town.” The translation “city” is used here because of its collocation with “of David,” suggesting its importance, though not its size.
4 sn The journey from Nazareth to the city of David called Bethlehem was a journey of about 90 mi (150 km). Bethlehem was a small village located about 7 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem.
map For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.
5 sn Luke’s use of the term “house” probably alludes to the original promise made to David outlined in the Nathan oracle of 2 Sam 7:12-16, especially in light of earlier connections between Jesus and David made in Luke 1:32. Further, the mention of Bethlehem reminds one of the promise of Mic 5:2, namely, that a great king would emerge from Bethlehem to rule over God’s people.
6 tn Or “family,” “lineage.”
7 tn Grk “And it happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 map For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.
9 sn Note how although angels delivered the message, it was the Lord whose message is made known, coming through them.
10 sn An ancient journey like this would have involved a caravan of people who traveled together as a group for protection and fellowship.
11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
12 tn Or “and friends.” See L&N 28.30 and 34.17.
13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
14 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
15 sn Nazareth was Jesus’ hometown (which is why he is known as Jesus of Nazareth) about 20 miles (30 km) southwest from Capernaum.
map For location see Map1-D3; Map2-C2; Map3-D5; Map4-C1; Map5-G3.
16 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:15.
17 tn Grk “according to his custom.”
18 tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
19 sn In normative Judaism of the period, the OT scripture was read and discussed in the synagogue by the men who were present. See the Mishnah, m. Megillah 3-4; m. Berakhot 2. First came the law, then the prophets, then someone was asked to speak on the texts. Normally one stood up to read out of respect for the scriptures, and then sat down (v. 20) to expound them.
20 tn Grk “When it became day.”
21 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
22 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate that the crowds still sought Jesus in spite of his withdrawal.
23 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast implied in the context: They wanted to bring the man to Jesus, but found no way.
24 tn Grk “But finding.” The participle εὑρόντες (Jeuronte") has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.
25 sn A house in 1st century Palestine would have had a flat roof with stairs or a ladder going up. This access was often from the outside of the house.
26 tn This word, κλινίδιον (klinidion), is a different Greek word than the one used in the previous verse (κλίνη, klinh). In this context both may be translated “stretcher” (see L&N 6.106 and 6.107).
27 tn There is a translational problem at this point in the text. The term Luke uses is κέραμος (keramo"). It can in certain contexts mean “clay,” but usually this is in reference to pottery (see BDAG 540 s.v. 1). The most natural definition in this instance is “roof tile” (used in the translation above). However, tiles were generally not found in Galilee. Recent archaeological research has suggested that this house, which would have probably been typical for the area, could not have supported “a second story, nor could the original roof have been masonry; no doubt it was made from beams and branches of trees covered with a mixture of earth and straw” (J. F. Strange and H. Shanks, “Has the House Where Jesus Stayed in Capernaum Been Found?” BAR 8, no. 6 [Nov/Dec 1982]: 34). Luke may simply have spoken of building materials that would be familiar to his readers.
28 tn Grk “in the midst.”
29 sn The phrase right in front of Jesus trailing as it does at the end of the verse is slightly emphatic, adding a little note of drama: What would Jesus do?
30 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the people’s response to the report.
31 tn Grk “Jesus, and they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
32 tn Grk “answering, said.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “replied.”
33 sn The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho was 17 mi (27 km), descending some 1800 ft (540 m) in altitude. It was known for its danger because the road ran through areas of desert and caves where the robbers hid.
34 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
35 map For location see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.
36 tn Grk “and beat,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
37 sn That is, in a state between life and death; severely wounded.
38 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Instead, because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
39 tn The words “to him” are not in the Greek text but are implied. The participle προσελθών (proselqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
40 sn The ancient practice of pouring oil was designed to comfort and clean the wounds (Isa 1:6).
41 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
42 tn It is not clear whether the causative nuance of the verb included actual assistance or not (“helped him on” versus “had him get on”; see L&N 15.98), but in light of the severity of the man’s condition as described in the preceding verses, some degree of assistance was almost certainly needed.
43 sn His own animal refers to a riding animal, presumably a donkey, but not specified.
44 sn The prayer that was heard and honored was the one given with humility; in a surprising reversal it was the tax collector who went down to his home justified.
45 tn Grk “the other”; the referent (the Pharisee, v. 10) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
46 sn Everyone who exalts himself. See Luke 14:11. Jesus often called for humility and condemned those who sought honor.