1 tn Grk “does not do [them].”
2 tn Grk “against which”; because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative clause was converted to a temporal clause in the translation and a new sentence started here.
3 tn Grk “it”; the referent (that house) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Grk “and its crash was great.”
sn The extra phrase at the end of this description (and was utterly destroyed) portrays the great disappointment that the destruction of the house caused as it crashed and was swept away.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
6 sn It is discussed whether these acts in vv. 44-46 were required by the host. Most think they were not, but this makes the woman’s acts of respect all the more amazing.
7 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
8 tn This is an example of a so-called “divine passive,” with God understood to be the source of the revelation (see ExSyn 437-38).
9 tn Grk “it has been given to you to know.” The dative pronoun occurs first, in emphatic position in the Greek text, although this position is awkward in contemporary English.
10 tn Grk “the mysteries.”
sn The key term secrets (μυστήριον, musthrion) can mean either (1) a new revelation or (2) a revealing interpretation of existing revelation as in Dan 2:17-23, 27-30. Jesus seems to be explaining how current events develop old promises, since the NT consistently links the events of Jesus’ ministry and message with old promises (Rom 1:1-4; Heb 1:1-2). The traditional translation of this word, “mystery,” is misleading to the modern English reader because this English word suggests a secret which people have tried to uncover but which they have failed to understand (L&N 28.77).
11 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.
12 sn A quotation from Isa 6:9. Thus parables both conceal or reveal depending on whether one is open to hearing what they teach.
13 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
14 tc ‡ Although the external evidence favors the aorist παρήγγειλεν (parhngeilen, “he commanded”; Ì75 B Θ Ξ Ψ Ë13 579 700 1241 1424 2542 pm), the internal evidence favors the imperfect παρήγγελλεν (parhngellen, here translated “he had started commanding”; א A C K L W Γ Δ 1 33 565 892 pm). The aorist is suspect because it can more easily be taken as a single command, and thus an immediate exorcism. The imperfect would most likely be ingressive (BDF §§328; 329; 331), suggesting that Jesus started to command the evil spirit to depart, and continued the command.
15 tn Grk “unclean.”
16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so,” introducing a clause that gives the result of the man being seized by the demon.
17 tn Or “fetters”; these were chains for the feet.
18 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
19 tn Grk “into the deserts.” The plural use here has been translated as “deserted places,” that is, uninhabited areas.
20 sn This is a parenthetical, explanatory comment by the author.
21 sn The term distracted means “to be pulled away” by something (L&N 25.238). It is a narrative comment that makes clear who is right in the account.
22 tn Grk “with much serving.”
23 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that the following was a result of Martha’s distraction.
24 tn The negative οὐ (ou) used with the verb expects a positive reply. Martha expected Jesus to respond and rebuke Mary.
25 tn Grk “has left me to serve alone.”
26 tn The conjunction οὖν (oun, “then, therefore”) has not been translated here.
27 tn Grk “did not know”; the phrase “his master’s will” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the contemporary English reader.
28 tn Grk “blows.”
29 tn Grk “will receive few (blows).”
30 tn Grk “required from him”; but the words “from him” are redundant in English and have not been translated.
31 sn Entrusted with much. To be gifted with precious responsibility is something that requires faithfulness.
32 tn Grk “they will ask even more.”
33 sn The irony is that Jesus’ “work” consisted of merely touching the woman. There is no sense of joy that eighteen years of suffering was reversed with his touch.
34 tn Grk “on which it is necessary to work.” This has been simplified in the translation.
35 tn The participle ἐρχόμενοι (ercomenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
36 tn The syntactical relationship between vv. 24-25 is disputed. The question turns on whether v. 25 is connected to v. 24 or not. A lack of a clear connective makes an independent idea more likely. However, one must then determine what the beginning of the sentence connects to. Though it makes for slightly awkward English, the translation has opted to connect it to “he will answer” so that this functions, in effect, as an apodosis. One could end the sentence after “us” and begin a new sentence with “He will answer” to make simpler sentences, although the connection between the two sentences is thereby less clear. The point of the passage, however, is clear. Once the door is shut, because one failed to come in through the narrow way, it is closed permanently. The moral: Do not be too late in deciding to respond.
37 tn Or “the master of the household.”
38 tn Or “rises,” or “stands up.”
39 tn Or “Sir.”
40 tn Grk “Open to us.”
41 tn Grk “and answering, he will say to you.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “he will answer you.”
42 sn For the imagery behind the statement “I do not know where you come from,” see Ps 138:6; Isa 63:16; Jer 1:5; Hos 5:3.
43 sn The double use of the city’s name betrays intense emotion.
44 tn Although the opening address (“Jerusalem, Jerusalem”) is direct (second person), the remainder of this sentence in the Greek text is third person (“who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her”). The following sentences then revert to second person (“your… you”), so to keep all this consistent in English, the third person pronouns in the present verse were translated as second person (“you who kill… sent to you”).
45 sn How often I have longed to gather your children. Jesus, like a lamenting prophet, speaks for God here, who longed to care tenderly for Israel and protect her.
46 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
47 tn Grk “you were not willing.”
48 tn Grk “the one who invited you.”
49 tn Grk “Go up higher.” This means to move to a more important place.