1 tn This occurrence of the word ἀλέκτωρ (alektwr, “rooster”) is anarthrous and consequently may not point back explicitly to the rooster which had crowed previously in v. 68. The reason for the anarthrous construction is most likely to indicate generically that some rooster crowed. Further, the translation of ἀλέκτωρ as an indefinite noun retains the subtlety of the Greek in only hinting at the Lord’s prediction v. 30. See also NAB, TEV, NASB.
2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
3 tn Grk “he wept deeply.”
4 tn Grk “sons of the wedding hall,” an idiom referring to wedding guests, or more specifically friends of the bridegroom present at the wedding celebration (L&N 11.7).
5 sn The expression while the bridegroom is with them is an allusion to messianic times (John 3:29; Isa 54:5-6; 62:4-5; 4 Ezra 2:15, 38).
6 tn Grk “days.”
7 sn The statement the bridegroom will be taken from them is a veiled allusion by Jesus to his death, which he did not make explicit until the incident at Caesarea Philippi in 16:13ff.
8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
9 tn Or “in the sky”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context.
10 tn Here τότε (tote, “then”) has not been translated to avoid redundancy in English.
11 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
12 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full authority to judge.
13 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
14 tn Grk “words,” but the term λόγος (logos) can refer to “matters” rather than only “words” (BDAG 600 s.v. 1.a.ε).
15 tn “Discussing so intently” translates the reciprocal idea conveyed by πρὸς ἀλλήλους (pro" allhlou"). The term ἀντιβάλλω (antiballw), used only here in the NT, has the nuance of “arguing” or “debating” a point (the English idiom “to exchange words” also comes close).
16 tn Or “distress” or “grief.”
17 tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”
18 tn Or “wail,” “cry.”
19 tn Or “lament.”
20 tn Or “sorrowful.”
21 tn Grk “will become.”
22 sn The same word translated distress here has been translated sadness in the previous verse (a wordplay that is not exactly reproducible in English).
23 tn Grk “her hour.”
24 tn Grk “that a man” (but in a generic sense, referring to a human being).
25 sn Jesus now compares the situation of the disciples to a woman in childbirth. Just as the woman in the delivery of her child experiences real pain and anguish (has distress), so the disciples will also undergo real anguish at the crucifixion of Jesus. But once the child has been born, the mother’s anguish is turned into joy, and she forgets the past suffering. The same will be true of the disciples, who after Jesus’ resurrection and reappearance to them will forget the anguish they suffered at his death on account of their joy.
26 tn Or “distress.”
27 sn An allusion to Isa 66:14 LXX, which reads: “Then you will see, and your heart will be glad, and your bones will flourish like the new grass; and the hand of the