1 tc Most witnesses, even early and excellent ones (Ì45vid א2 A C D L W Θ Ψ Ë1,13 33 Ï lat co), have “and fasting” (καὶ νηστείᾳ, kai nhsteia) after “prayer” here. But this seems to be a motivated reading, due to the early church’s emphasis on fasting (TCGNT 85; cf., e.g., 2 Clem. 16:4; Pol. Phil 7:2; Did. 1:3; 7:4). That the most important witnesses (א* B), as well as a few others (0274 2427 k), lack καὶ νηστείᾳ, when a good reason for the omission is difficult to find, argues strongly for the shorter reading.
2 sn Palestinian weeds like these thorns could grow up to six feet in height and have a major root system.
3 sn That is, crowded out the good plants.
3 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
4 sn On receive see John 1:12.
5 sn The point of the comparison receive the kingdom of God like a child has more to do with a child’s trusting spirit and willingness to be dependent and receive from others than any inherent humility the child might possess.
6 tn The negation in Greek (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong here.
4 tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 38.
5 tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).
5 sn The rocky ground in Palestine would be a limestone base lying right under the soil.
6 tn Grk “it did not have enough depth of earth.”
6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in the final stage of the parable.
7 tn Grk “nullifying.” This participle shows the results of the Pharisees’ command.
8 tn Or “into the latrine.”
9 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.
9 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
10 tn Grk “As he reclined at table.”
11 tn Grk “his.”
12 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.