1 tn καί (kai) has been translated here as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context. The experts, who should be expected to know the law, are unable to respond to Jesus’ question.
2 sn They could not reply. Twice in the scene, the experts remain silent (see v. 4). That, along with the presence of power working through Jesus, serves to indicate endorsement of his work and message.
3 tn Grk “make fun of him, saying.”
4 sn The phrase this man is often used in Luke in a derogatory sense; see “this one” and expressions like it in Luke 5:21; 7:39; 13:32; 23:4, 14, 22, 35.
5 sn The failure to finish the building project leads to embarrassment (in a culture where avoiding public shame was extremely important). The half completed tower testified to poor preparation and planning.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
6 tn Grk “a flow of blood.”
7 tc ‡ Most
7 tn Or “Make every effort” (L&N 68.74; cf. NIV); “Do your best” (TEV); “Work hard” (NLT); Grk “Struggle.” The idea is to exert one’s maximum effort (cf. BDAG 17 s.v. ἀγωνίζομαι 2.b, “strain every nerve to enter”) because of the supreme importance of attaining entry into the kingdom of God.
9 tn Grk “to complete it, lest.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation and ἵνα μήποτε ({ina mhpote, “lest”) has been translated as “Otherwise.”
10 tn The participle θέντος (qentos) has been taken temporally.
11 tn The words “the tower” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
12 tn The word “it” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
13 tn Or “mock,” “ridicule.” The person who did not plan ahead becomes an object of joking and ridicule.
11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ unexpected answer.
12 tn On this term, see BDAG 374 s.v. ἐπιλαμβάνομαι 3.
13 tn Grk “to trap him in a saying.”
14 tn Or “amazed.”
13 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events in the parable.
14 tn Grk “the stewardship,” “the management.”
15 tn Here “dig” could refer (1) to excavation (“dig ditches,” L&N 19.55) or (2) to agricultural labor (“work the soil,” L&N 43.3). In either case this was labor performed by the uneducated, so it would be an insult as a job for a manager.
16 tn Grk “I do not have strength to dig; I am ashamed to beg.”
15 tn Here and in v. 49 the Greek text reads ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), while the parallel account in Matt 7:24-27 uses ἀνήρ (anhr) in vv. 24 and 26.
16 tn There are actually two different Greek verbs used here: “who dug (ἔσκαψεν, eskayen) and dug deep (ἐβάθυνεν, ebaqunen).” Jesus is placing emphasis on the effort to which the man went to prepare his foundation.
17 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
18 sn The picture here is of a river overflowing its banks and causing flooding and chaos.
19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in the context.
20 tc Most