¹ tn Grk “And,” but with clearly contrastive emphasis in context.

² tn Grk “his mother answering, said.” The combination of participle and finite verb is redundant in English and has been simplified to “replied” in the translation.

³ tn This future passive indicative verb has imperatival force and thus has been translated “he must be named.”

⁴ sn “No! He must be named John.” By insisting on the name specified by the angel, Elizabeth (v. 60) and Zechariah (v. 63) have learned to obey God (see Luke 1:13).

⁵ tn Or “shown to be right.” This is the same verb translated “acknowledged… justice” in v. 29, with a similar sense – including the notion of response. Wisdom’s children are those who respond to God through John and Jesus.

⁶ tn Or “by all those who follow her” (cf. CEV, NLT). Note that the parallel in Matt 11:19 reads “by her deeds.”

⁷ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁸ tn Or “craftiness.” The term always has negative connotations in the NT (1 Cor 3:19; 2 Cor 4:2; 11:3; Eph 4:14).

⁹ tn Grk “shouting, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated here.

¹⁰ tn This double present imperative is emphatic.

sn Crucifixion was the cruelest form of punishment practiced by the Romans. Roman citizens could not normally undergo it. It was reserved for the worst crimes, like treason and evasion of due process in a capital case. The Roman historian Cicero called it “a cruel and disgusting penalty” (Against Verres 2.5.63-66 §§163-70); Josephus (J. W. 7.6.4 [7.203]) called it the worst of deaths.

¹¹ sn The two disciples will not be allowed to recognize Jesus until v. 31.

¹² tn This is an epexegetical (i.e., explanatory) infinitive in Greek.

¹³ sn This parenthetical remark by the author is necessary so the reader will understand the account.