2:29 “Now, according to your word, 1 Sovereign Lord, 2 permit 3 your servant 4 to depart 5 in peace.
1 sn The phrase according to your word again emphasizes that God will perform his promise.
2 tn The Greek word translated here by “Sovereign Lord” is δεσπότης (despoth").
3 sn This short prophetic declaration is sometimes called the Nunc dimittis, which comes from the opening phrase of the saying in Latin, “now dismiss,” a fairly literal translation of the Greek verb ἀπολύεις (apolueis, “now release”) in this verse.
4 tn Here the Greek word δοῦλος (doulos, “slave”) has been translated “servant” since it acts almost as an honorific term for one specially chosen and appointed to carry out the Lord’s tasks.
5 tn Grk “now release your servant.”
6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of thought.
7 sn The assumption is that the rich are blessed, so if they risk exclusion, who is left to be saved?
11 sn The words that Jesus predicts here will never pass away. They are more stable and lasting than creation itself. For this kind of image, see Isa 40:8; 55:10-11.