8:11 Then the Pharisees 1 came and began to argue with Jesus, asking for 2 a sign from heaven 3 to test him.
1 sn See the note on Pharisees in 2:16.
2 tn Grk “seeking from him.” The participle ζητοῦντες (zhtountes) shows the means by which the Pharisees argued with Jesus.
3 sn What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.
4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the implied contrast present in this context.
5 sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.
6 tn Or “and their scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
7 tn Or “grumbled”; a term often used in the OT for inappropriate grumbling: Exod 15:24; 16:7-8; Num 14:2, 26-35; 16:11.
8 sn The issue here is inappropriate associations (eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners) and the accusation comes not against Jesus, but his disciples.
9 tn Grk “And Jesus.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
10 sn Jesus’ point is that he associates with those who are sick because they have the need and will respond to the offer of help. A person who is well (or who thinks mistakenly that he is) will not seek treatment.
11 sn I have not come is another commission statement by Jesus; see 4:43-44.
12 sn Though parallels exist to this saying (Matt 9:13; Mark 2:17), only Luke has this last phrase but sinners to repentance. Repentance is a frequent topic in Luke’s Gospel: 3:3, 8; 13:1-5; 15:7, 10; 16:30; 17:3-4; 24:47.