Matthew 8:25

8:25 So they came ¹  and woke him up saying, “Lord, save us! We are about to die!”

Matthew 9:5

9:5 Which is easier, ²  to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?

Matthew 10:38

10:38 And whoever does not take up his cross ³  and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 13:7

13:7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, ⁴  and they grew up and choked them. ⁵ 

Matthew 16:10

16:10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you took up?

Matthew 17:7

17:7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Do not be afraid.”

Matthew 26:49

26:49 Immediately ⁶  he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. ⁷ 

Matthew 27:2

27:2 They ⁸  tied him up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate ⁹  the governor. ¹⁰ 

Matthew 27:50

27:50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.

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¹ tn The participle προσελθόντες (proselqonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

² sn Which is easier is a reflective kind of question. On the one hand to declare sins are forgiven is easier, since one does not need to see it, unlike telling a paralyzed person to walk. On the other hand, it is harder, because for it to be true one must possess the authority to forgive the sin.

³ sn It was customary practice in a Roman crucifixion for the prisoner to be made to carry his own cross. Jesus is speaking figuratively here in the context of rejection. If the priority is not one’s allegiance to Jesus, then one will not follow him in the face of possible rejection.

⁴ sn Palestinian weeds like these thorns could grow up to six feet in height and have a major root system.

⁵ sn That is, crowded out the good plants.

⁶ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

⁷ sn Judas’ act of betrayal when he kissed Jesus is especially sinister when it is realized that it was common in the culture of the times for a disciple to kiss his master when greeting him.

⁸ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

⁹ tc Most mss (A C W Θ 0250 Ë^1,13 Ï latt) have Ποντίῳ (Pontiw, “Pontius”) before Πιλάτῳ (Pilatw, “Pilate”), but there seems to be no reason for omitting the tribal name, either intentionally or unintentionally. Adding “Pontius,” however, is a natural expansion on the text, and is in keeping with several other NT and patristic references to the Roman governor (cf. Luke 3:1; Acts 4:27; 1 Tim 6:13; Ign. Magn. 11.1; Ign. Trall. 9.1; Ign. Smyrn. 1.2; Justin Martyr, passim). The shorter reading, supported by א B L 0281 33 pc co, is thus strongly preferred.

¹⁰ sn The Jews most assuredly wanted to put Jesus to death, but they lacked the authority to do so. For this reason they handed him over to Pilate in hopes of securing a death sentence. The Romans kept close control of the death penalty in conquered territories to prevent it from being used to execute Roman sympathizers.