8:19 Now Jesus’ 12 mother and his brothers 13 came to him, but 14 they could not get near him because of the crowd.
1 tn Grk “has come to me from the road.”
2 sn The background to the statement I have nothing to set before him is that in ancient Middle Eastern culture it was a matter of cultural honor to be a good host to visitors.
3 tn Or “hostility.” This term pictures dissension and hostility (BDAG 234 s.v. διαμερισμός).
5 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the royal summons.
6 tn Or “Lord”; or “Master.” (and so throughout this paragraph).
7 tn See the note on the word “minas” in v. 13.
7 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
8 tn Although the participle παραγενόμενοι (paragenomenoi) is preceded by the Greek article (οἱ, Joi) which would normally cause it to be regarded as an adjectival or substantival participle, most modern translations, probably as a result of the necessities of contemporary English style, render it as a temporal participle (“when they came”).
9 tn Or “implored.”
10 tn Grk “urged him earnestly, saying”; the participle λέγοντες (legontes) is pleonastic (redundant) and has not been translated.
11 tn Grk “Worthy is he to have you do this”; the term “worthy” comes first in the direct discourse and is emphatic.
9 tn Grk “his”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
10 sn The issue of whether Jesus had brothers (siblings) has had a long history in the church. Epiphanius, in the 4th century, argued that Mary was a perpetual virgin and had no offspring other than Jesus. Others argued that these brothers were really cousins. Nothing in the text suggests any of this. See also John 7:3.
11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
11 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
12 tn This title, literally “official of the temple” (στρατηγὸς τοῦ ἱεροῦ, strathgo" tou Jierou), referred to the commander of the Jewish soldiers who guarded and maintained order in the Jerusalem temple. Here, since the term is plural, it has been translated “officers of the temple guard” rather than “commanders of the temple guard,” since the idea of a number of commanders might be confusing to the modern English reader.
13 tn Or “a revolutionary.” This term can refer to one who stirs up rebellion: BDAG 594 s.v. λῃστής 2 has “revolutionary, insurrectionist, guerrilla” citing evidence from Josephus (J. W. 2.13.2-3 [2.253-254]). However, this usage generally postdates Jesus’ time. It does refer to a figure of violence. Luke uses the same term for the highwaymen who attack the traveler in the parable of the good Samaritan (10:30).
13 tn Grk “And when.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
14 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
15 tn Grk “to you, saying,” but since this takes the form of a question, it is preferable to use the phrase “to ask” in English.
16 tn This question is repeated word for word from v. 19.
15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the preceding responses.
16 tn Grk “being furious, said.” The participle ὀργισθείς (orgisqei") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
17 sn It was necessary to go out quickly because the banquet was already prepared. All the food would spoil if not eaten immediately.
18 tn Or “town.”
19 sn The poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Note how the list matches v. 13, illustrating that point. Note also how the party goes on; it is not postponed until a later date. Instead new guests are invited.
20 tn Grk “and the crippled.” Normally crippled as a result of being maimed or mutilated (L&N 23.177). Καί (kai) has not been translated here and before the following category (Grk “and the blind and the lame”) since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.