17:5 The 1 apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 2
1 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
2 sn The request of the apostles, “Increase our faith,” is not a request for a gift of faith, but a request to increase the depth of their faith.
3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
4 tn Grk “to him”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
5 tn Or “has delivered you”; Grk “has saved you.” The remark about faith suggests the benefit of trusting in Jesus’ ability to deliver. Apparently the Samaritan benefited from the healing in a way the other nine did not.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
6 tn Or “Regain” (see the note on the phrase “let me see again” in the previous verse).
7 tn Grk “has saved you,” but in a nonsoteriological sense; the man has been delivered from his disability.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
8 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
9 sn The plural pronoun their makes it clear that Jesus was responding to the faith of the entire group, not just the paralyzed man.
10 tn Grk “Man,” but the term used in this way was not derogatory in Jewish culture. Used in address (as here) it means “friend” (see BDAG 82 s.v. ἄνθρωπος 8).
11 tn Grk “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Luke stresses the forgiveness of sins (cf. 1:77; 3:3; 24:47). In 5:20 he uses both the perfect ἀφέωνται and the personal pronoun σοι which together combine to heighten the subjective aspect of the experience of forgiveness. The σοι has been omitted in translation in light of normal English style.
9 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
10 sn On faith see Luke 5:20; 7:9; 8:25; 12:28; 17:6; 18:8; 22:32.
11 sn The questioning did not stop Jesus. He declared authoritatively that the woman was forgiven by God (your faith has saved you). This event is a concrete example of Luke 5:31-32.
11 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
12 tn Or “has delivered you”; Grk “has saved you.” This should not be understood as an expression for full salvation in the immediate context; it refers only to the woman’s healing.
13 sn Here and in the remainder of the verse the second person pronouns are singular, so only Peter is in view. The name “Simon” has been supplied as a form of direct address to make this clear in English.
14 sn That your faith may not fail. Note that Peter’s denials are pictured here as lapses, not as a total absence of faith.
15 tn Grk “And when.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
16 tn Or “turned around.”
17 sn Strengthen your brothers refers to Peter helping to strengthen their faith. Jesus quite graciously restores Peter “in advance,” even with the knowledge of his approaching denials.
15 tn Or “pleased with him and amazed.” The expanded translation brings out both Jesus’ sense of wonder at the deep insight of the soldier and the pleasure he had that he could present the man as an example of faith.
16 sn There are two elements to the faith that Jesus commended: The man’s humility and his sense of Jesus’ authority which recognized that only Jesus’ word, not his physical presence, were required.
17 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
18 sn “Where is your faith?” The call is to trust God and realize that those who exercise faith can trust in his care.
19 sn The combination of fear and respect (afraid and amazed) shows that the disciples are becoming impressed with the great power at work in Jesus, a realization that fuels their question. For a similar reaction, see Luke 5:9.
20 sn Jesus’ authority over creation raised a question for the disciples about who he was exactly (“Who then is this?”). This verse shows that the disciples followed Jesus even though they did not know all about him yet.
19 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
20 tn Grk “said.”
21 tn This is a mixed condition, with ἄν (an) in the apodosis.
22 tn Grk “faith as,” “faith like.”
23 sn A black mulberry tree is a deciduous fruit tree that grows about 20 ft (6 m) tall and has black juicy berries. This tree has an extensive root system, so to pull it up would be a major operation.
24 tn The passives here (ἐκριζώθητι and φυτεύθητι, ekrizwqhti and futeuqhti) are probably a circumlocution for God performing the action (the so-called divine passive, see ExSyn 437-38). The issue is not the amount of faith (which in the example is only very tiny), but its presence, which can accomplish impossible things. To cause a tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea is impossible. The expression is a rhetorical idiom. It is like saying a camel can go through the eye of a needle (Luke 18:25).
25 tn The verb is aorist, though it looks at a future event, another rhetorical touch to communicate certainty of the effect of faith.
21 tn Some argue this should be translated “suddenly.” When vindication comes it will be quick. But the more natural meaning is “soon.” God will not forget his elect and will respond to them. It may be that this verse has a prophetic perspective. In light of the eternity that comes, vindication is soon.
22 sn Will he find faith on earth? The Son of Man is looking for those who continue to believe in him, despite the wait.