¹ tn Grk “this one.”

² sn Compare the description of Jesus as great here with 1:15, “great before the Lord.” Jesus is greater than John, since he is Messiah compared to a prophet. Great is stated absolutely without qualification to make the point.

³ sn The expression Most High is a way to refer to God without naming him. Such avoiding of direct reference to God was common in 1st century Judaism out of reverence for the divine name.

⁴ tn Or “ancestor.”

⁵ tn Grk “behold.”

⁶ tn Some translations render the word συγγενίς (sungeni") as “cousin” (so Phillips) but the term is not necessarily this specific.

⁷ tn Or “has conceived.”

⁸ tn Grk “and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren.” Yet another note on Elizabeth’s loss of reproach also becomes a sign of the truth of the angel’s declaration.

⁹ sn Use of the singular high priesthood to mention two figures is unusual but accurate, since Annas was the key priest from a.d. 6-15 and then his relatives were chosen for many of the next several years. After two brief tenures by others, his son-in-law Caiaphas came to power and stayed there until a.d. 36.

¹⁰ tn The term translated “word” here is not λόγος (logos) but ῥῆμα (rJhma), and thus could refer to the call of the Lord to John to begin ministry.

¹¹ tn Or “desert.”

¹² tn Grk “And all.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

¹³ tn Grk “And they.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

¹⁴ sn The form of the question assumes a positive reply. It really amounts to an objection, as Jesus’ response in the next verses shows. Jesus spoke smoothly and impressively. He made a wonderful declaration, but could a local carpenter’s son make such an offer? That was their real question.

¹⁵ tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.

¹⁶ tn Or “disdain you”; Grk “cast out your name as evil.” The word “name” is used here as a figure of speech to refer to the person as a whole.

sn The phrase when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil alludes to a person being ostracized and socially isolated because of association with the Son of Man, Jesus.

¹⁷ tn Grk “Behold a man.”

¹⁸ sn Neither were they happy with Jesus (the Son of Man), even though he was the opposite of John and associated freely with people like tax collectors and sinners. Either way, God’s messengers were subject to complaint.

¹⁹ tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the somewhat unexpected appearance of the man. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

²⁰ tn Grk “cried out, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

²¹ tn This verb means “to have regard for”; see Luke 1:48.

²² tn Grk “And answering, Jesus said.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “Jesus answered.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

²³ tn Grk “O.” The marker of direct address, ὦ (w), is functionally equivalent to a vocative and is represented in the translation by “you.”

²⁴ tn Or “faithless.”

sn The rebuke for lack of faith has OT roots: Num 14:27; Deut 32:5, 30; Isa 59:8.

²⁵ tn Grk “how long.”

²⁶ tn Or “and put up with.” See Num 11:12; Isa 46:4.

²⁷ sn The pronouns you…you are plural, indicating that Jesus is speaking to a group rather than an individual.

²⁸ tn Grk “the birds of the sky” or “the birds of the heaven”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated either “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν).

²⁹ sn Jesus’ reply is simply this: Does the man understand the rejection he will be facing? Jesus has no home in the world (the Son of Man has no place to lay his head).

³⁰ tn Grk “to the Ninevites.” What the Ninevites experienced was Jonah’s message (Jonah 3:4, 10; 4:1).

³¹ tn The repetition of the words “a sign” are not in the Greek text, but are implied and are supplied here for clarity.

³² 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.

³³ sn Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit probably refers to a total rejection of the testimony that the Spirit gives to Jesus and the plan of God. This is not so much a sin of the moment as of one’s entire life, an obstinate rejection of God’s message and testimony. Cf. Matt 12:31-32 and Mark 3:28-30.

³⁴ tn Grk “it will not be forgiven the person who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit.”

³⁵ sn Jesus made clear that his coming could not be timed, and suggested it might take some time – so long, in fact, that some would not be looking for him any longer (at an hour when you do not expect him).

³⁶ sn This statement links the parable to the theme of 15:6, 9.

³⁷ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the father’s remarks in the preceding verses.

³⁸ tn Grk “And he said to him.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated. The rest of the phrase has been simplified to “the slave replied,” with the referent (the slave) specified in the translation for clarity.

³⁹ tn See note on the phrase “fattened calf” in v. 23.

⁴⁰ tn Grk “him”; the referent (the younger son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁴¹ sn Note the younger son is not “my brother” but this son of yours (an expression with a distinctly pejorative nuance).

⁴² sn This is another graphic description. The younger son’s consumption had been like a glutton. He had both figuratively and literally devoured the assets which were given to him.

⁴³ sn The charge concerning the prostitutes is unproven, but essentially the older brother accuses the father of committing an injustice by rewarding his younger son’s unrighteous behavior.

⁴⁴ sn See note on the phrase “fattened calf” in v. 23.

⁴⁵ sn The Son of Man’s coming in power will be sudden and obvious like lightning. No one will need to point it out.

⁴⁶ tc Some very important mss (Ì⁷⁵ B D it sa) lack the words ἐν τῇ ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ (en th Jhmera autou, “in his day”), but the words are included in א A L W Θ Ψ Ë^1,13 Ï lat sy bo. On the one hand, the shorter reading is impressive because it has some of the best Alexandrian and Western witnesses in support; on the other hand, the expression ἐν τῇ ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ is unusual (found nowhere else in the NT), and may be considered the harder reading. A decision is difficult, but it is probably best to retain the words. NA²⁷ rightly has the words in brackets, expressing doubt as to their authenticity.

⁴⁷ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁴⁸ tn Or “as it happened.”

⁴⁹ 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.

⁵⁰ tn Some argue this should be translated “suddenly.” When vindication comes it will be quick. But the more natural meaning is “soon.” God will not forget his elect and will respond to them. It may be that this verse has a prophetic perspective. In light of the eternity that comes, vindication is soon.

⁵¹ sn Will he find faith on earth? The Son of Man is looking for those who continue to believe in him, despite the wait.

⁵² sn That is, those who were at the front of the procession.

⁵³ tn Or “rebuked.” The crowd’s view was that surely Jesus would not be bothered with someone as unimportant as a blind beggar.

⁵⁴ sn Public opinion would not sway the blind man from getting Jesus’ attention. The term shouted is strong as it can be used of animal cries.

⁵⁵ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

⁵⁶ tn Grk “my beloved son.” See comment at Luke 3:22.

sn The owner’s decision to send his one dear son represents God sending Jesus.

⁵⁷ sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.

⁵⁸ tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellw) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.

⁵⁹ sn Jesus’ death has been determined as a part of God’s plan (Acts 2:22-24).

⁶⁰ tn Grk “saying that,” but this would be redundant in English. Although the translation represents this sentence as indirect discourse, the Greek could equally be taken as direct discourse: “Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee: ‘the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’”

⁶¹ tn See Luke 9:22, 44; 13:33.

⁶² tn Because in the historical context the individuals who were primarily responsible for the death of Jesus (the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem in Luke’s view [see Luke 9:22]) would have been men, the translation “sinful men” for ἀνθρώπων ἁμαρτωλῶν (anqrwpwn Jamartwlwn) is retained here.

⁶³ sn See the note on crucify in 23:21.

⁶⁴ tn Here the infinitive ἀναστῆναι (anasthnai) is active rather than passive.