Discovery BoxLuke 2:35 
Context2:35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts 1 of many hearts will be revealed 2 – and a sword 3 will pierce your own soul as well!” 4
Luke 12:20
Context12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life 5 will be demanded back from 6 you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 7
Luke 16:6
Context16:6 The man 8 replied, ‘A hundred measures 9 of olive oil.’ The manager 10 said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.’ 11
1 tn Or “reasonings” (in a hostile sense). See G. Schrenk, TDNT 2:97.
2 sn The remark the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed shows that how people respond to Jesus indicates where their hearts really are before God.
3 sn A sword refers to a very large, broad two-edged sword. The language is figurative, picturing great pain. Though it refers in part to the cross, it really includes the pain all of Jesus’ ministry will cause, including the next event in Luke 2:41-52 and extending to the opposition he faced throughout his ministry.
4 sn This remark looks to be parenthetical and addressed to Mary alone, not the nation. Many modern English translations transpose this to make it the final clause in Simeon’s utterance as above to make this clear.
5 tn Grk “your soul,” but ψυχή (yuch) is frequently used of one’s physical life. It clearly has that meaning in this context.
6 tn Or “required back.” This term, ἀπαιτέω (apaitew), has an economic feel to it and is often used of a debt being called in for repayment (BDAG 96 s.v. 1).
7 tn Grk “the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” The words “for yourself” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
8 tn Grk “He”; the referent (the first debtor) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
9 sn A measure (sometimes translated “bath”) was just over 8 gallons (about 30 liters). This is a large debt – about 875 gallons (3000 liters) of olive oil, worth 1000 denarii, over three year’s pay for a daily worker.
10 tn Grk “He”; the referent (the manager) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here δέ (de) has not been translated for stylistic reasons.
11 sn The bill was halved (sit down quickly, and write fifty). What was the steward doing? This is debated. 1) Did he simply lower the price? 2) Did he remove interest from the debt? 3) Did he remove his own commission? It is hard to be sure. Either of the latter two options is more likely. The goal was clear: The manager would be seen in a favorable light for bringing a deflationary trend to prices.
