6:26 “Woe to you 3 when all people 4 speak well of you, for their ancestors 5 did the same things to the false prophets.
1 sn The effect of what the experts in the law were doing was to deny the message of the prophets and thus honor their death by supporting those who had sought their removal. The charge that this is what previous generations did shows the problem is chronic. As T. W. Manson said, the charge here is “The only prophet you honor is a dead prophet!” (The Sayings of Jesus, 101).
2 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
3 tc The wording “to you” (ὑμῖν, Jumin) is lacking throughout the ms tradition except for a few witnesses (D W* Δ 1424 pc co). The Western witnesses tend to add freely to the text. Supported by the vast majority of witnesses and the likelihood that “to you” is a clarifying addition, the shorter reading should be considered original; nevertheless, “to you” is included in the translation because of English requirements.
4 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.
5 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
5 tn Grk “because behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this clause has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
6 tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”
7 sn Mistreatment of the prophets is something Luke often notes (Luke 11:47-51; Acts 7:51-52).