17:5 The 2 apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 3
1 sn The tax collectors would bid to collect taxes for the Roman government and then add a surcharge, which they kept. Since tax collectors worked for Rome, they were viewed as traitors to their own people and were not well liked. Yet even they were moved by John’s call.
2 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
3 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 thought.
4 sn The assumption is that the rich are blessed, so if they risk exclusion, who is left to be saved?
4 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
5 tn Or “some of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
6 sn Teacher, you have spoken well! The scribes, being Pharisees, were happy for the defense of resurrection and angels, which they (unlike the Sadducees) believed in.
5 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
6 tn In the Greek text this a deliberative subjunctive.