1 tn Grk “no kiss.” This refers to a formalized kiss of greeting, standard in that culture. To convey this to the modern reader, the words “of greeting” have been supplied to qualify what kind of kiss is meant.
2 sn This event is not equivalent to the anointing of Jesus that takes place in the last week of his life (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). That woman was not a sinner, and Jesus was eating in the home of Simon the leper, who, as a leper, could never be a Pharisee.
3 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
4 tn This reflexive makes it clear that Mary took the initiative in sitting by Jesus.
5 sn The description of Mary sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to him makes her sound like a disciple (compare Luke 8:35).
6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
7 tn Grk “he fell on his face” (an idiom for complete prostration).
8 sn And thanked him. This action recognized God’s healing work through Jesus.
9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of a parenthetical comment.
10 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. The comment that the man was a Samaritan means that to most Jews of Jesus’ day he would have been despised as a half-breed and a heretic. The note adds a touch of irony to the account (v. 18).