¹ sn An ancient journey like this would have involved a caravan of people who traveled together as a group for protection and fellowship.

² tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

³ tn Or “and friends.” See L&N 28.30 and 34.17.

⁴ sn In the Greek text greater is at the beginning of the clause in the emphatic position. John the Baptist was the greatest man of the old era.

⁵ tc The earliest and best mss read simply ᾿Ιωάννου (Iwannou, “John”) here (Ì⁷⁵ א B L W Ξ Ë¹ 579 pc). Others turn this into “John the Baptist” (K 33 565 al it), “the prophet John the Baptist” (A [D] Θ Ë¹³ Ï lat), or “the prophet John” (Ψ 700 [892 1241] pc). “It appears that προφήτης was inserted by pedantic copyists who wished thereby to exclude Christ from the comparison, while others added τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ, assimilating the text to Mt 11.11” (TCGNT 119).

⁶ sn After John comes a shift of eras. The new era is so great that the lowest member of it (the one who is least in the kingdom of God) is greater than the greatest one of the previous era.

⁷ sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus’ proclamation. It is a realm in which Jesus rules and to which those who trust him belong. See Luke 6:20; 11:20; 17:20-21. It is not strictly future, though its full manifestation is yet to come. That is why membership in it starts right after John the Baptist.

⁸ tn Grk “What”; the referent (the seed) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

¹⁰ sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.

¹¹ sn On warnings about the dangers of excessive material attachments, described here as the worries and riches and pleasures of life, see Luke 12:12-21; 16:19-31.

¹² tn The verb τελεσφορέω (telesforew) means “to produce mature or ripe fruit” (L&N 23.203). Once again the seed does not reach its goal.

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

¹⁴ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹⁵ tn Grk “stepped out on land.”

¹⁶ tn Or “city.”

¹⁷ tn Grk “who had demons.”

¹⁸ tn Grk “he”; the referent (the demon-possessed man) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹⁹ tn Or “in.”

²⁰ tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).

²¹ sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.

²² tn Grk “among you all, this one is great.” The absence of a comparative term here makes the point that comparison should not be done.

²³ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

²⁴ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁵ tn Grk “before men.” The contrast is between outward appearance (“in people’s eyes”) and inward reality (“God knows your hearts”). Here the Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used twice in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, but “men” has been retained in the text to provide a strong verbal contrast with “God” in the second half of the verse.

²⁶ tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.

²⁷ tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).

²⁸ tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

²⁹ tn Grk “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.

³⁰ tn Grk “to destroy.”

sn The action at the temple was the last straw. In their view, if Jesus could cause trouble in the holy place, then he must be stopped, so the leaders were seeking to assassinate him.

³¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

³² tn Grk “by the mouth of the sword” (an idiom for the edge of a sword).

³³ sn Here is the predicted judgment against the nation until the time of Gentile rule has passed: Its people will be led away as captives.

³⁴ tn Grk “And Jerusalem.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

³⁵ sn Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled implies a time when Israel again has a central role in God’s plan.

³⁶ tn Grk “who reclines at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.

³⁷ tn The interrogative particle used here in the Greek text (οὐχί, ouci) expects a positive reply.

³⁸ sn Jesus’ example of humble service, as one who serves, shows that the standard for a disciple is different from that of the world. For an example see John 13:1-17.