10:16 “I 1 am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, 2 so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
18:23 “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. 5
25:14 “For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves 8 and entrusted his property to them.
1 tn Grk “Behold I.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
2 sn This imagery of wolves is found in intertestamental Judaism; see Pss. Sol. 8:23, 30.
3 sn In 1st century Judaism and in the NT, there was the belief that the righteous get new, glorified bodies in order to enter heaven (1 Cor 15:42-49; 2 Cor 5:1-10). This transformation means the righteous will share the glory of God. One recalls the way Moses shared the Lord’s glory after his visit to the mountain in Exod 34. So the disciples saw Jesus transfigured, and they were getting a sneak preview of the great glory that Jesus would have (only his glory is more inherent to him as one who shares in the rule of the kingdom).
4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
5 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.
6 tc Most witnesses have “of God” after “angels,” although some
sn Angels do not die, nor do they eat according to Jewish tradition (1 En. 15:6; 51:4; Wis 5:5; 2 Bar. 51:10; 1QH 3.21-23).
7 sn Like the days of Noah, the time of the flood in Gen 6:5-8:22, the judgment will come as a surprise as people live their day to day lives.
8 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.