Luke 21:36-38

21:36 But stay alert at all times, ¹  praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must ²  happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

21:37 So ³  every day Jesus ⁴  was teaching in the temple courts, ⁵  but at night he went and stayed ⁶  on the Mount of Olives. ⁷  21:38 And all the people ⁸  came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts. ⁹ 

¹ sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.

² tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellw) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.

³ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” since vv. 37-38 serve as something of a summary or transition from the discourse preceding to the passion narrative that follows.

⁴ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁵ tn Grk “in the temple.”

⁶ tn Grk “and spent the night,” but this is redundant because of the previous use of the word “night.”

⁷ tn Grk “at the mountain called ‘of Olives.’”

⁸ sn Jesus’ teaching was still quite popular with all the people at this point despite the leaders’ opposition.

⁹ tc Some mss (those of ˹³) place John 7:53-8:11 here after v. 38, no doubt because it was felt that this was a better setting for the pericope.