¹ sn Elizabeth was barren. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth are regarded by Luke as righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly (v. 6). With this language, reminiscent of various passages in the OT, Luke is probably drawing implicit comparisons to the age and barrenness of such famous OT personalities as Abraham and Sarah (see, e.g., Gen 18:9-15), the mother of Samson (Judg 13:2-5), and Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam 1:1-20). And, as it was in the case of these OT saints, so it is with Elizabeth: After much anguish and seeking the Lord, she too is going to have a son in her barrenness. In that day it was a great reproach to be childless, for children were a sign of God’s blessing (cf. Gen 1:28; Lev 20:20-21; Pss 127 and 128; Jer 22:30). As the dawn of salvation draws near, however, God will change this elderly couple’s grief into great joy and grant them the one desire time had rendered impossible.

² tn Grk “were both advanced in days” (an idiom for old age).

³ tn Grk “And it happened that.” 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. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

⁴ sn They were following OT law (Lev 12:3) which prescribed that a male child was to be circumcised on the eighth day.

⁵ tn This could be understood as a conative imperfect, expressing an unrealized desire (“they were trying to name him”). It has been given more of a voluntative nuance in the translation.

⁶ tn The term ἄνοια (anoia) denotes a kind of insane or mindless fury; the opponents were beside themselves with rage. They could not rejoice in the healing, but could only react against Jesus.

⁷ tn The use of the optative (ποιήσαιεν, poihsaien, “might do”) in an indirect question indicates that the formal opposition and planning of Jesus’ enemies started here (BDF §§385.1; 386.1).

⁸ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

⁹ tn Although the participle παραγενόμενοι (paragenomenoi) is preceded by the Greek article (οἱ, Joi) which would normally cause it to be regarded as an adjectival or substantival participle, most modern translations, probably as a result of the necessities of contemporary English style, render it as a temporal participle (“when they came”).

¹⁰ tn Or “implored.”

¹¹ tn Grk “urged him earnestly, saying”; the participle λέγοντες (legontes) is pleonastic (redundant) and has not been translated.

¹² tn Grk “Worthy is he to have you do this”; the term “worthy” comes first in the direct discourse and is emphatic.

¹³ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

¹⁴ sn This cloud is the cloud of God’s presence and the voice is his as well.

¹⁵ tn Or “appeared.”

¹⁶ tn Or “surrounded.”

¹⁷ tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 46.

¹⁸ sn How they were able to devour widows’ houses is debated. Did they seek too much for contributions, or take too high a commission for their work, or take homes after debts failed to be paid? There is too little said here to be sure.

¹⁹ tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).

²⁰ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ instructions.

²¹ tn The word “things” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

²² sn The author’s note that the disciples found things just as he had told them shows that Jesus’ word could be trusted.

²³ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

²⁴ tn On this term see BDAG 140-41 s.v. ἄρωμα. The Jews did not practice embalming, so these preparations were used to cover the stench of decay and slow decomposition. The women planned to return and anoint the body. But that would have to wait until after the Sabbath.

²⁵ tn Or “ointments.” This was another type of perfumed oil.

²⁶ sn According to the commandment. These women are portrayed as pious, faithful to the law in observing the Sabbath.

²⁷ sn Judas is now absent and “the twelve” have now become “the eleven.” Other disciples are also gathered with the remaining eleven.

²⁸ sn He acted as though he wanted to go farther. This is written in a way that gives the impression Jesus knew they would ask him to stay.

²⁹ sn Now with the recounting of what had happened on the road two sets of witnesses corroborate the women’s report.

³⁰ tn Grk “how he was made known to them”; or “how he was recognized by them.” Here the passive construction has been converted to an active one in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style.