Matthew 5:26
Context5:26 I tell you the truth, 1 you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny! 2
Matthew 24:34
Context24:34 I tell you the truth, 3 this generation 4 will not pass away until all these things take place.
Matthew 26:21
Context26:21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth, 5 one of you will betray me.” 6
1 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
2 tn Here the English word “penny” is used as opposed to the parallel in Luke 12:59 where “cent” appears since the Greek word there is different and refers to a different but similar coin.
sn The penny here was a quadrans, a Roman copper coin worth 1/64 of a denarius (L&N 6.78). The parallel passage in Luke 12:59 mentions the lepton, equal to one-half of a quadrans and thus the smallest coin available.
3 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
4 sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (v. 30), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.
5 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
6 tn Or “will hand me over.”