6:26 “Woe to you 4 when all people 5 speak well of you, for their ancestors 6 did the same things to the false prophets.
1 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).
2 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
3 sn Mistreatment of the prophets is something Luke often notes (Luke 11:47-51; Acts 7:51-52).
4 tc The wording “to you” (ὑμῖν, Jumin) is lacking throughout the ms tradition except for a few witnesses (D W* Δ 1424 pc co). The Western witnesses tend to add freely to the text. Supported by the vast majority of witnesses and the likelihood that “to you” is a clarifying addition, the shorter reading should be considered original; nevertheless, “to you” is included in the translation because of English requirements.
5 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.
6 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
7 sn The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.
8 sn The phrase had risen could be understood to mean “had been resurrected,” but this is only a possible option, not a necessary one, since the phrase could merely mean that a figure had appeared on the scene who mirrored an earlier historical figure. The three options of vv. 7-8 will be repeated in v. 19.
9 tn Grk “And they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
10 tn Grk “And answering, they said.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “They answered.”
11 sn The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.
12 sn The phrase has risen could be understood to mean “has been resurrected,” but this is only a possible option, not a necessary one, since the phrase could merely mean that a figure had appeared on the scene who mirrored an earlier historical figure. Note that the three categories in the reply match the ones in Luke 9:7-8.
13 tn Grk “you are witnesses and approve of.”
14 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
15 tn Grk “them”; the referent (the prophets) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
16 tn “Their,” i.e., the prophets.
17 tc The majority of
18 sn The expression the wisdom of God is a personification of an attribute of God that refers to his wise will.
19 tn Or “that this generation may be charged with”; or “the blood of all the prophets… may be required from this generation.” This is a warning of judgment. These people are responsible for the shedding of prophetic blood.
20 tn Or “foundation.” However, this does not suggest a time to the modern reader.
21 tn The order of the clauses in this complicated sentence has been rearranged to simplify it for the modern reader.
22 sn Weeping and gnashing of teeth is a figure for remorse and trauma, which occurs here because of exclusion from God’s promise.
23 tn Grk “and Isaac and Jacob,” 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.
24 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.
25 tn Or “being thrown out.” The present accusative participle, ἐκβαλλομένους (ekballomenous), related to the object ὑμᾶς (Jumas), seems to suggest that these evildoers will witness their own expulsion from the kingdom.
26 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
27 tn Or “obey”; Grk “hear.” See the note on the phrase “respond to” in v. 29.
28 sn The concluding statement of the parable, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead, provides a hint that even Jesus’ resurrection will not help some to respond. The message of God should be good enough. Scripture is the sign to be heeded.
29 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
30 sn The reference to Moses and all the prophets is a way to say the promise of Messiah runs throughout OT scripture from first to last.
31 tn Or “regarding,” “concerning.” “Written” is implied by the mention of the scriptures in context; “said” could also be used here, referring to the original utterances, but by now these things had been committed to writing.