¹ tn Or “promised in marriage.”

³ tn Or “pledged” for marriage.

¹ tn Heb “took,” referring to taking in marriage.

¹ tn Heb “form marriage alliances with us.”

¹ tn Or “who gives his own virgin in marriage.”

³ tn Heb “he took,” referring to taking in marriage.

¹ tn Heb “take her as wife”; NRSV “taking her in marriage.”

¹ tn Or “a person born of an illegitimate marriage.”

² sn The daughter refers to Berenice, who was given in marriage to Antiochus II Theos.

² tn The words “in marriage” are implied, and have been supplied in the translation for clarity.

³ sn This marriage to his brother’s wife was a violation of OT law (Lev 18:16; 20:21). In addition, both Herod Antipas and Herodias had each left previous marriages to enter into this union.

² sn This marriage of Herod to his brother Philip’s wife was a violation of OT law (Lev 18:16; 20:21). In addition, both Herod Antipas and Herodias had each left marriages to enter into this union.

¹ tn Grk “fulfill the obligation” or “pay the debt,” referring to the fulfillment of sexual needs within marriage.

⁴ sn The daughter refers to Cleopatra, the daughter of Antiochus, who was given in marriage to Ptolemy V.

² tn Heb “take.” In context this refers to marriage, as in the older English expression “take a wife.”

² tn Heb “which they will be to them,” meaning, to those who have them, i.e., the marriages.

¹ sn Bridal week. An ancient Hebrew marriage ceremony included an entire week of festivities (cf. Judg 14:12).

¹ sn The examples of marriage and divorce show that the ethical standards of the new era are still faithful to promises made in the presence of God. To contribute to the breakup of a marriage, which involved a vow before God, is to commit adultery. This works whether one gets a divorce or marries a person who is divorced, thus finalizing the breakup of the marriage. Jesus’ point concerns the need for fidelity and ethical integrity in the new era.

² tn Traditionally, “Mary, his betrothed.” Although often rendered in contemporary English as “Mary, who was engaged to him,” this may give the modern reader a wrong impression, since Jewish marriages in this period were typically arranged marriages. The term ἐμνηστευμένῃ (emnēsteumenē) may suggest that the marriage is not yet consummated, not necessarily that they are not currently married. Some mss read “the betrothed to him wife”; others, simply “his wife.” These readings, though probably not autographic, may give the right sense.

² tn These verbs (“eating…drinking…marrying…being given in marriage”) are all progressive imperfects, describing action in progress at that time.