¹ tn Grk “It happened that in the days.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

² sn Herod was Herod the Great, who ruled Palestine from 37 b.c. until he died in 4 b.c. He was known for his extensive building projects (including the temple in Jerusalem) and for his cruelty.

³ tn Grk “of”; but the meaning of the preposition ἐκ (ek) is more accurately expressed in contemporary English by the relative clause “who belonged to.”

⁴ sn There were twenty-four divisions of priesthood and the priestly division of Abijah was eighth on the list according to 1 Chr 24:10.

⁵ tn Grk “and her name was Elizabeth.”

⁶ tn Grk “a wife of the daughters of Aaron.”

sn It was not unusual for a priest to have a wife from a priestly family (a descendant of Aaron); this was regarded as a special blessing.

⁷ sn The strips of cloth (traditionally, “swaddling cloths”) were strips of linen that would be wrapped around the arms and legs of an infant to keep the limbs protected.

⁸ tn Or “a feeding trough.”

⁹ tn The Greek word κατάλυμα is flexible, and usage in the LXX and NT refers to a variety of places for lodging (see BDAG 521 s.v.). Most likely Joseph and Mary sought lodging in the public accommodations in the city of Bethlehem (see J. Nolland, Luke [WBC], 1:105), which would have been crude shelters for people and animals. However, it has been suggested by various scholars that Joseph and Mary were staying with relatives in Bethlehem (e.g., C. S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 194; B. Witherington, “Birth of Jesus,” DJG, 69-70); if that were so the term would refer to the guest room in the relatives’ house, which would have been filled beyond capacity with all the other relatives who had to journey to Bethlehem for the census.

sn There was no place for them in the inn. There is no drama in how this is told. There is no search for a variety of places to stay or a heartless innkeeper. (Such items are later, nonbiblical embellishments.) Bethlehem was not large and there was simply no other place to stay. The humble surroundings of the birth are ironic in view of the birth’s significance.

¹⁰ tn Her age is emphasized by the Greek phrase here, “she was very old in her many days.”

¹¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the concluding point of the story.

¹² tn Grk “man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.

¹³ sn The point of the story is that to fail to respond is to risk a worse fate than when one started.

¹⁴ sn There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The pursuit of the sinner is a priority in spite of the presence of others who are doing well (see also Luke 5:32; 19:10). The theme of repentance, a major Lukan theme, is again emphasized.

¹⁵ tn Here δικαίοις (dikaioi") is an adjective functioning substantivally and has been translated “righteous people.”

¹⁶ tn Or “who do not need to repent”; Grk “who do not have need of repentance.”

¹⁷ tn Grk “And after.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

¹⁸ tn Grk “after not many days.”

¹⁹ tn Or “wasted.” This verb is graphic; it means to scatter (L&N 57.151).

²⁰ tn Or “estate” (the same word has been translated “estate” in v. 12).

²¹ tn Grk “And in all these things.” There is no way Lazarus could carry out this request even if divine justice were not involved.

²² sn The great chasm between heaven and hell is impassable forever. The rich man’s former status meant nothing now.

²³ tn Grk “between us and you.”

²⁴ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

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

²⁶ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

²⁷ tn The term “brothers” could be understood as generic here, referring to either male or female siblings. However, it is noteworthy that in the parallel passages in both Matt 19:29 and Mark 10:29, “sisters” are explicitly mentioned in the Greek text.

²⁸ tn Grk “saying.”

²⁹ tn Grk “the village lying before [you]” (BDAG 530 s.v. κατέναντι 2.a).

³⁰ tn Grk “in which entering.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek, but because of the length and complexity of the construction a new sentence was started here in the translation.

³¹ tn Grk “a colt tied there on which no one of men has ever sat.”

³² sn Great distress means that this is a period of great judgment.

³³ sn Signs in the sun and moon and stars are cosmic signs that turn our attention to the end and the Son of Man’s return for the righteous. OT imagery is present: See Isa 13:9-10; 24:18-20; 34:4; Ezek 32:7-8; Joel 2:1, 30-31; 3:15.

³⁴ tn Grk “distress of nations.”

³⁵ tn Or “in consternation” (L&N 32.9).

³⁶ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the conclusion of the preceding material.

³⁷ sn The place that is called ‘The Skull’ (known as Golgotha in Aramaic, cf. John 19:17) is north and just outside of Jerusalem. The hill on which it is located protruded much like a skull, giving the place its name. The Latin word for Greek κρανίον (kranion) is calvaria, from which the English word “Calvary” derives (cf. Luke 23:33 in the KJV).

³⁸ sn See the note on crucify in 23:21.

³⁹ tn A figurative extension of the literal meaning “to turn one’s nose up at someone”; here “ridicule, sneer at, show contempt for” (L&N 33.409).

⁴⁰ sn The irony in the statement Let him save himself is that salvation did come, but later, not while on the cross.

⁴¹ tn This is a first class condition in the Greek text.

⁴² tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

sn See the note on Christ in 2:11.

⁴³ tn Grk “answering him, said.” This is redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.

⁴⁴ sn There is irony and almost a sense of mocking disbelief as the question “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?” comes to Jesus; but, of course, the readers know what the travelers do not.

⁴⁵ tn Grk “in it” (referring to the city of Jerusalem).