7:24 When 1 John’s messengers had gone, Jesus 2 began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness 3 to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 4
1 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
2 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Or “desert.”
4 tn There is a debate as to whether one should read this figuratively (“to see someone who is easily blown over?”) or literally (Grk “to see the wilderness vegetation?…No, to see a prophet”). Either view makes good sense, but the following examples suggest the question should be read literally and understood to point to the fact that a prophet drew them to the desert.
5 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
6 tn The participle προσελθόντες (proselqonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
7 tn The double vocative shows great emotion.
8 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the connection to the preceding events.
9 tn Or “commanded” (often with the implication of a threat, L&N 33.331).
10 sn Who has authority over the seas and winds is discussed in the OT: Ps 104:3; 135:7; 107:23-30. When Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves he was making a statement about who he was.