1 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.
2 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.
3 sn The call to sell your possessions is a call to a lack of attachment to the earth and a generosity as a result.
4 tn Grk “give alms,” but this term is not in common use today.
5 tn Grk “in the heavens.”
6 tn Or “an unfailing treasure in heaven,” or “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.”
7 tn The term σής (shs) refers to moths in general. It is specifically the larvae of moths that destroy clothing by eating holes in it (L&N 4.49; BDAG 922 s.v.). See Jas 5:2, which mentions “moth-eaten” clothing.
5 tn Grk “standing”; the Greek participle has been translated as a finite verb.
6 tn Grk “even lift up his eyes” (an idiom).
7 tn The prayer is a humble call for forgiveness. The term for mercy (ἱλάσκομαι, Jilaskomai) is associated with the concept of a request for atonement (BDAG 473-74 s.v. 1; Ps 51:1, 3; 25:11; 34:6, 18).
8 tn Grk “the sinner.” The tax collector views himself not just as any sinner but as the worst of all sinners. See ExSyn 222-23.