¹ tn Grk “even as”; this compares the recorded tradition of 1:1 with the original eyewitness tradition of 1:2.

² tn Or “delivered.”

³ sn The phrase eyewitnesses and servants of the word refers to a single group of people who faithfully passed on the accounts about Jesus. The language about delivery (passed on) points to accounts faithfully passed on to the early church.

⁴ tn Grk “like the accounts those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word passed on to us.” The location of “in the beginning” in the Greek shows that the tradition is rooted in those who were with Jesus from the start.

⁵ tn Grk “every male that opens the womb” (an idiom for the firstborn male).

⁶ sn An allusion to Exod 13:2, 12, 15.

⁷ tn Grk “his exodus,” which refers to Jesus’ death in Jerusalem and journey back to glory. Here is the first lesson that the disciples must learn. The wondrous rule comes only after suffering.

⁸ tn Or “accomplish,” “bring to completion.”

⁹ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

¹⁰ tn Grk “to the Ninevites.” What the Ninevites experienced was Jonah’s message (Jonah 3:4, 10; 4:1).

¹¹ tn The repetition of the words “a sign” are not in the Greek text, but are implied and are supplied here for clarity.

¹² tc Only the Western ms D and a few Itala mss add here a long reference to Jonah being in the belly of the fish for three days and nights and the Son of Man being three days in the earth, apparently harmonizing the text to the parallel in Matt 12:40.

¹³ tn Or “that this generation may be charged with”; or “the blood of all the prophets… may be required from this generation.” This is a warning of judgment. These people are responsible for the shedding of prophetic blood.

¹⁴ tn Or “foundation.” However, this does not suggest a time to the modern reader.

¹⁵ tn The order of the clauses in this complicated sentence has been rearranged to simplify it for the modern reader.

¹⁶ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate a conclusion drawn from the previous illustrations.

¹⁷ tn Grk “do not seek,” but this could be misunderstood to mean that people should make no attempt to obtain their food. The translation “do not be overly concerned” attempts to reflect the force of the original.

¹⁸ tn The words “about such things” have been supplied to qualify the meaning; the phrase relates to obtaining food and drink mentioned in the previous clause.

¹⁹ tn Grk “seek.”

²⁰ sn Jesus was stressing that all stand at risk of death, if they do not repent and receive life.

²¹ tn Or “you will all likewise perish,” but this could be misunderstood to mean that they would perish by the same means as the Galileans. Jesus’ point is that apart from repentance all will perish.

²² tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

²³ sn The Jerusalem temple was widely admired around the world. See Josephus, Ant. 15.11 (15.380-425); J. W. 5.5 (5.184-227) and Tacitus, History 5.8, who called it “immensely opulent.” Josephus compared it to a beautiful snowcapped mountain.

²⁴ tn For the translation of ἀνάθημα (anaqhma) as “offering” see L&N 53.18.

²⁵ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.