Matthew 19:3--25:46

19:3 Then some Pharisees came to him in order to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful to divorce a wife for any cause?” 19:4 He answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female, 19:5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 19:6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 19:7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” 19:8 Jesus said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hard hearts, but from the beginning it was not this way. 19:9 Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another commits adultery.” 19:10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the case of a husband with a wife, it is better not to marry!” 19:11 He 10  said to them, “Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given. 19:12 For there are some eunuchs who were that way from birth, 11  and some who were made eunuchs 12  by others, 13  and some who became eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this should accept it.”

Jesus and Little Children

19:13 Then little children were brought to him for him to lay his hands on them and pray. 14  But the disciples scolded those who brought them. 15  19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 16  19:15 And he placed his hands on them and went on his way. 17 

The Rich Young Man

19:16 Now 18  someone came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?” 19:17 He said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 19:18 “Which ones?” he asked. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19:19 honor your father and mother, 19  and love your neighbor as yourself.” 20  19:20 The young man said to him, “I have wholeheartedly obeyed 21  all these laws. 22  What do I still lack?” 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money 23  to the poor, and you will have treasure 24  in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 19:22 But when the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich. 25 

19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, 26  it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 19:24 Again I say, 27  it is easier for a camel 28  to go through the eye of a needle 29  than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.” 19:25 The 30  disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “Then who can be saved?” 31  19:26 Jesus 32  looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, 33  but for God all things are possible.” 19:27 Then Peter said 34  to him, “Look, 35  we have left everything to follow you! 36  What then will there be for us?” 19:28 Jesus 37  said to them, “I tell you the truth: 38  In the age when all things are renewed, 39  when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging 40  the twelve tribes of Israel. 19:29 And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much 41  and will inherit eternal life. 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Workers in the Vineyard

20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner 42  who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 20:2 And after agreeing with the workers for the standard wage, 43  he sent them into his vineyard. 20:3 When it was about nine o’clock in the morning, 44  he went out again and saw others standing around in the marketplace without work. 20:4 He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and I will give you whatever is right.’ 20:5 So they went. When 45  he went out again about noon and three o’clock that afternoon, 46  he did the same thing. 20:6 And about five o’clock that afternoon 47  he went out and found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why are you standing here all day without work?’ 20:7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go and work in the vineyard too.’ 20:8 When 48  it was evening 49  the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and give the pay 50  starting with the last hired until the first.’ 20:9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each received a full day’s pay. 51  20:10 And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each one also received the standard wage. 20:11 When 52  they received it, they began to complain 53  against the landowner, 20:12 saying, ‘These last fellows worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who bore the hardship and burning heat of the day.’ 20:13 And the landowner 54  replied to one of them, 55  ‘Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn’t you agree with me to work for the standard wage? 56  20:14 Take what is yours and go. I 57  want to give to this last man 58  the same as I gave to you. 20:15 Am I not 59  permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 60  20:16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Third Prediction of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

20:17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, 61  he took the twelve 62  aside privately and said to them on the way, 20:18 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the experts in the law. 63  They will condemn him to death, 20:19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged severely 64  and crucified. 65  Yet 66  on the third day, he will be raised.”

A Request for James and John

20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling down she asked him for a favor. 67  20:21 He said to her, “What do you want?” She replied, 68  “Permit 69  these two sons of mine to sit, one at your 70  right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 20:22 Jesus 71  answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! 72  Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?” 73  They said to him, “We are able.” 74  20:23 He told them, “You will drink my cup, 75  but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

20:24 Now 76  when the other ten 77  heard this, 78  they were angry with the two brothers. 20:25 But Jesus called them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. 20:26 It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 20:27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave 79 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom 80  for many.”

Two Blind Men Healed

20:29 As they were leaving Jericho, 81  a large crowd followed them. 20:30 Two 82  blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, 83  “Have mercy 84  on us, Lord, Son of David!” 85  20:31 The 86  crowd scolded 87  them to get them to be quiet. But they shouted even more loudly, “Lord, have mercy on us, 88  Son of David!” 20:32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 20:33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

The Triumphal Entry

21:1 Now 89  when they approached Jerusalem 90  and came to Bethphage, 91  at the Mount of Olives, 92  Jesus sent two disciples, 21:2 telling them, “Go to the village ahead of you. 93  Right away you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 21:3 If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ 94  and he will send them at once.” 21:4 This 95  took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: 96 

21:5Tell the people of Zion, 97 

Look, your king is coming to you,

unassuming and seated on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 98 

21:6 So 99  the disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 21:7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks 100  on them, and he sat on them. 21:8 A 101  very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those following kept shouting, 102 Hosanna 103  to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 104  Hosanna in the highest!” 21:10 As he entered Jerusalem the whole city was thrown into an uproar, 105  saying, “Who is this?” 21:11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth 106  in Galilee.”

Cleansing the Temple

21:12 Then 107  Jesus entered the temple area 108  and drove out all those who were selling and buying in the temple courts, 109  and turned over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 21:13 And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, 110  but you are turning it into a den 111  of robbers!” 112 

21:14 The blind and lame came to him in the temple courts, and he healed them. 21:15 But when the chief priests and the experts in the law 113  saw the wonderful things he did and heard the children crying out in the temple courts, 114  “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant 21:16 and said to him, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of children and nursing infants you have prepared praise for yourself’?” 115  21:17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and spent the night there.

The Withered Fig Tree

21:18 Now early in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. 21:19 After noticing a fig tree 116  by the road he went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, “Never again will there be fruit from you!” And the fig tree withered at once. 21:20 When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21:21 Jesus 117  answered them, “I tell you the truth, 118  if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, 119  you will receive.”

The Authority of Jesus

21:23 Now after Jesus 120  entered the temple courts, 121  the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority 122  are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 21:24 Jesus 123  answered them, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 21:25 Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from people?” 124  They discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 21:26 But if we say, ‘From people,’ we fear the crowd, for they all consider John to be a prophet.” 21:27 So 125  they answered Jesus, 126  “We don’t know.” 127  Then he said to them, “Neither will I tell you 128  by what authority 129  I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

21:28 “What 130  do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 21:29 The boy answered, 131  ‘I will not.’ But later he had a change of heart 132  and went. 21:30 The father 133  went to the other son and said the same thing. This boy answered, 134  ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. 21:31 Which of the two did his father’s will?” They said, “The first.” 135  Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, 136  tax collectors 137  and prostitutes will go ahead of you into the kingdom of God! 21:32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although 138  you saw this, you did not later change your minds 139  and believe him.

The Parable of the Tenants

21:33 “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner 140  who planted a vineyard. 141  He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then 142  he leased it to tenant farmers 143  and went on a journey. 21:34 When the harvest time was near, he sent his slaves 144  to the tenants to collect his portion of the crop. 145  21:35 But the tenants seized his slaves, beat one, 146  killed another, and stoned another. 21:36 Again he sent other slaves, more than the first, and they treated them the same way. 21:37 Finally he sent his son to them, 147  saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 21:38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and get his inheritance!’ 21:39 So 148  they seized him, 149  threw him out of the vineyard, 150  and killed him. 21:40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 21:41 They said to him, “He will utterly destroy those evil men! Then he will lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his portion at the harvest.”

21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 151 

This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 152 

21:43 For this reason I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people 153  who will produce its fruit. 21:44 The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and the one on whom it falls will be crushed.” 154  21:45 When 155  the chief priests and the Pharisees 156  heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 21:46 They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, because the crowds 157  regarded him as a prophet.

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

22:1 Jesus spoke 158  to them again in parables, saying: 22:2 “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 22:3 He sent his slaves 159  to summon those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come. 22:4 Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. 160  My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.”’ 22:5 But they were indifferent and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. 22:6 The 161  rest seized his slaves, insolently mistreated them, and killed them. 22:7 The 162  king was furious! He sent his soldiers, and they put those murderers to death 163  and set their city 164  on fire. 22:8 Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but the ones who had been invited were not worthy. 22:9 So go into the main streets and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 22:10 And those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all they found, both bad and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 22:11 But when the king came in to see the wedding guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 22:12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But he had nothing to say. 165  22:13 Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!’ 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

22:15 Then the Pharisees 166  went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words. 167  22:16 They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, 168  saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 169  You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality. 170  22:17 Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right 171  to pay taxes 172  to Caesar 173  or not?”

22:18 But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? 22:19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” So 174  they brought him a denarius. 175  22:20 Jesus 176  said to them, “Whose image 177  is this, and whose inscription?” 22:21 They replied, 178  “Caesar’s.” He said to them, 179  “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 180  22:22 Now when they heard this they were stunned, 181  and they left him and went away.

Marriage and the Resurrection

22:23 The same day Sadducees 182  (who say there is no resurrection) 183  came to him and asked him, 184  22:24 “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and father children 185  for his brother.’ 186  22:25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children he left his wife to his brother. 22:26 The second did the same, and the third, down to the seventh. 22:27 Last 187  of all, the woman died. 22:28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.” 188  22:29 Jesus 189  answered them, “You are deceived, 190  because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God. 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels 191  in heaven. 22:31 Now as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, 192  22:32I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 193  He is not the God of the dead but of the living!” 194  22:33 When the crowds heard this, they were amazed at his teaching.

The Greatest Commandment

22:34 Now when the Pharisees 195  heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, 196  they assembled together. 197  22:35 And one of them, an expert in religious law, 198  asked him a question to test 199  him: 22:36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 200  22:37 Jesus 201  said to him, “‘Love 202  the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 203  22:38 This is the first and greatest 204  commandment. 22:39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 205  22:40 All the law and the prophets depend 206  on these two commandments.”

The Messiah: David’s Son and Lord

22:41 While 207  the Pharisees 208  were assembled, Jesus asked them a question: 209  22:42 “What do you think about the Christ? 210  Whose son is he?” They said, “The son of David.” 211  22:43 He said to them, “How then does David by the Spirit call him ‘Lord,’ saying,

22:44The Lord said to my lord, 212 

Sit at my right hand,

until I put your enemies under your feet”’? 213 

22:45 If David then calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 214  22:46 No one 215  was able to answer him a word, and from that day on no one dared to question him any longer.

Seven Woes

23:1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 23:2 “The 216  experts in the law 217  and the Pharisees 218  sit on Moses’ seat. 23:3 Therefore pay attention to what they tell you and do it. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 219  23:4 They 220  tie up heavy loads, hard to carry, and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing even to lift a finger to move them. 23:5 They 221  do all their deeds to be seen by people, for they make their phylacteries 222  wide and their tassels 223  long. 23:6 They 224  love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues 225  23:7 and elaborate greetings 226  in the marketplaces, and to have people call them ‘Rabbi.’ 23:8 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. 23:9 And call no one your ‘father’ on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 23:10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one teacher, the Christ. 227  23:11 The 228  greatest among you will be your servant. 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

23:13 “But woe to you, experts in the law 229  and you Pharisees, hypocrites! 230  You keep locking people out of the kingdom of heaven! 231  For you neither enter nor permit those trying to enter to go in.

23:14 [[EMPTY]] 232 

23:15 “Woe to you, experts in the law 233  and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You cross land and sea to make one convert, 234  and when you get one, 235  you make him twice as much a child of hell 236  as yourselves!

23:16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple is bound by nothing. 237  But whoever swears by the gold of the temple is bound by the oath.’ 23:17 Blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 23:18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing. 238  But if anyone swears by the gift on it he is bound by the oath.’ 23:19 You are blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 23:20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 23:21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and the one who dwells in it. 23:22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and the one who sits on it.

23:23 “Woe to you, experts in the law 239  and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth 240  of mint, dill, and cumin, 241  yet you neglect what is more important in the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness! You 242  should have done these things without neglecting the others. 23:24 Blind guides! You strain out a gnat yet swallow a camel! 243 

23:25 “Woe to you, experts in the law 244  and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 23:26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, 245  so that the outside may become clean too!

23:27 “Woe to you, experts in the law 246  and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean. 247  23:28 In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

23:29 “Woe to you, experts in the law 248  and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You 249  build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves 250  of the righteous. 23:30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, 251  we would not have participated with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 23:31 By saying this you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 23:32 Fill up then the measure of your ancestors! 23:33 You snakes, you offspring of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 252 

23:34 “For this reason I 253  am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, 254  some of whom you will kill and crucify, 255  and some you will flog 256  in your synagogues 257  and pursue from town to town, 23:35 so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, 258  whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 23:36 I tell you the truth, 259  this generation will be held responsible for all these things! 260 

Judgment on Israel

23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 261  you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! 262  How often I have longed 263  to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but 264  you would have none of it! 265  23:38 Look, your house is left to you desolate! 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” 266 

The Destruction of the Temple

24:1 Now 267  as Jesus was going out of the temple courts and walking away, his disciples came to show him the temple buildings. 268  24:2 And he said to them, 269  “Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, 270  not one stone will be left on another. 271  All will be torn down!” 272 

Signs of the End of the Age

24:3 As 273  he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things 274  happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 24:4 Jesus answered them, 275  “Watch out 276  that no one misleads you. 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ 277  and they will mislead many. 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. 278  24:7 For nation will rise up in arms 279  against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines 280  and earthquakes 281  in various places. 24:8 All 282  these things are the beginning of birth pains.

Persecution of Disciples

24:9 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations 283  because of my name. 284  24:10 Then many will be led into sin, 285  and they will betray one another and hate one another. 24:11 And many false prophets will appear and deceive 286  many, 24:12 and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. 24:13 But the person who endures to the end will be saved. 287  24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, 288  and then the end will come.

The Abomination of Desolation

24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation 289  – spoken about by Daniel the prophet – standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 24:16 then those in Judea must flee 290  to the mountains. 24:17 The one on the roof 291  must not come down 292  to take anything out of his house, 24:18 and the one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 24:19 Woe 293  to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! 24:20 Pray 294  that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 24:21 For then there will be great suffering 295  unlike anything that has happened 296  from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. 24:22 And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 24:23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ 297  or ‘There he is!’ do not believe him. 24:24 For false messiahs 298  and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 24:25 Remember, 299  I have told you ahead of time. 24:26 So then, if someone 300  says to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ 301  do not go out, or ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe him. 24:27 For just like the lightning 302  comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 24:28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures 303  will gather. 304 

The Arrival of the Son of Man

24:29 “Immediately 305  after the suffering 306  of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. 307  24:30 Then 308  the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 309  and 310  all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They 311  will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven 312  with power and great glory. 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven 313  to the other.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

24:32 “Learn 314  this parable from the fig tree: Whenever its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 24:33 So also you, when you see all these things, know 315  that he is near, right at the door. 24:34 I tell you the truth, 316  this generation 317  will not pass away until all these things take place. 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 318 

Be Ready!

24:36 “But as for that day and hour no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven 319  – except the Father alone. 24:37 For just like the days of Noah 320  were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 24:38 For in those days before the flood, people 321  were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. 24:39 And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. 322  It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man. 323  24:40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. 324  24:41 There will be two women grinding grain with a mill; 325  one will be taken and one left.

24:42 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day 326  your Lord will come. 24:43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief 327  was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. 24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. 328 

The Faithful and Wise Slave

24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise slave, 329  whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves 330  their food at the proper time? 24:46 Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work 331  when he comes. 24:47 I tell you the truth, 332  the master 333  will put him in charge of all his possessions. 24:48 But if 334  that evil slave should say to himself, 335  ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 24:49 and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with drunkards, 24:50 then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, 24:51 and will cut him in two, 336  and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25:1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 25:2 Five 337  of the virgins 338  were foolish, and five were wise. 25:3 When 339  the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra 340  olive oil 341  with them. 25:4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. 25:5 When 342  the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 25:6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ 343  25:7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 25:8 The 344  foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 25:9 ‘No,’ they replied. 345  ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 25:10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then 346  the door was shut. 25:11 Later, 347  the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ 348  25:12 But he replied, 349  ‘I tell you the truth, 350  I do not know you!’ 25:13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 351 

The Parable of the Talents

25:14 “For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves 352  and entrusted his property to them. 25:15 To 353  one he gave five talents, 354  to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 25:16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work 355  and gained five more. 25:17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 25:18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 25:19 After 356  a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 25:20 The 357  one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, 358  you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 25:21 His master answered, 359  ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 25:22 The 360  one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 25:23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 25:24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25:25 so 361  I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 25:26 But his master answered, 362  ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 25:27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, 363  and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 364  25:28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 365  25:29 For the one who has will be given more, 366  and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 367  25:30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Judgment

25:31 “When 368  the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 25:32 All 369  the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 25:33 He 370  will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 25:34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 25:36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 25:37 Then the righteous will answer him, 371  ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 25:38 When 372  did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? 25:39 When 373  did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 25:40 And the king will answer them, 374  ‘I tell you the truth, 375  just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters 376  of mine, you did it for me.’

25:41 “Then he will say 377  to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 25:42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 25:44 Then they too will answer, 378  ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ 25:45 Then he will answer them, 379  ‘I tell you the truth, 380  just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ 25:46 And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”


tn Grk “And Pharisees.”

tc ‡ Most mss have either ἀνθρώπῳ (anqrwpw, “for a man” [so א2 C D W Θ 087 Ë1,13 33 Ï latt]) or ἀνδρί (andri, “for a husband” [1424c pc]) before the infinitive ἀπολῦσαι (apolusai, “to divorce”). The latter reading is an assimilation to the parallel in Mark; the former reading may have been motivated by the clarification needed (especially to give the following αὐτοῦ [autou, “his”] an antecedent). But a few significant mss (א* B L Γ 579 [700] 1424* pc) have neither noun. As the harder reading, it seems to best explain the rise of the others. NA27, however, reads ἀνθρώπῳ here.

sn The question of the Pharisees was anything but sincere; they were asking it to test him. Jesus was now in the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas (i.e., Judea and beyond the Jordan) and it is likely that the Pharisees were hoping he might answer the question of divorce in a way similar to John the Baptist and so suffer the same fate as John, i.e., death at the hands of Herod (cf. 14:1-12). Jesus answered the question not on the basis of rabbinic custom and the debate over Deut 24:1, but rather from the account of creation and God’s original design.

sn A quotation from Gen 1:27; 5:2.

sn A quotation from Gen 2:24.

tc ‡ Although the majority of witnesses (B C W 078 087 Ë13 33 Ï syp,h) have αὐτήν (authn, “her”) after the infinitive ἀπολῦσαι (apolusai, “to divorce”), a variant lacks the αὐτήν. This shorter reading may be due to assimilation to the Markan parallel, but since it is attested in early and diverse witnesses (א D L Z Θ Ë1 579 700 pc lat) and since the parallel verse (Mark 10:4) already departs at many points, the shorter reading seems more likely to be original. The pronoun has been included in the translation, however, for clarity. NA27 includes the word in brackets, indicating reservations regarding its authenticity.

tc A few important mss (א Φ pc) have the name “Jesus” here, but it is probably not original. Nevertheless, this translation routinely specifies the referents of pronouns to improve clarity, so that has been done here.

tn Grk “heart” (a collective singular).

tc ‡ Some significant witnesses, along with the majority of later mss (Ì25 C D L W Z 078 Ë1,13 33 Ï lat sy samss bo), read αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”) after μαθηταί (maqhtai, “disciples”), but this looks to be a clarifying reading. Other early and important witnesses lack the pronoun (Ì71vid א B Θ e ff1 g1 sams mae), the reading adopted here. NA27 includes the pronoun in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

10 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

11 tn Grk “from the womb of the mother” (an idiom).

12 tn The verb εὐνουχίζω occurs twice in this verse, translated the first time as “made eunuchs” and the second time as “became eunuchs.” The term literally refers to castration. The second occurrence of the word in this verse is most likely figurative, though, referring to those who willingly maintain a life of celibacy for the furtherance of the kingdom (see W. D. Davies and D. C. Allison, Matthew [ICC], 3:23).

13 tn Grk “people.”

14 tn Grk “so that he would lay his hands on them and pray.”

15 tn Grk “the disciples scolded them.” In the translation the referent has been specified as “those who brought them,” since otherwise the statement could be understood to mean that the disciples scolded the children rather than their parents who brought them.

16 sn The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Children are a picture of those whose simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. The remark illustrates how everyone is important to God, even those whom others regard as insignificant.

17 tn Grk “went from there.”

18 tn Grk “And behold one came.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

19 sn A quotation from Exod 20:12-16; Deut 5:16-20.

20 sn A quotation from Lev 19:18.

21 tn Grk “kept.” The implication of this verb is that the man has obeyed the commandments without fail, so the adverb “wholeheartedly” has been added to the translation to bring out this nuance.

22 tn Grk “these things.” The referent of the pronoun (the laws mentioned by Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

23 tn The words “the money” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

24 sn The call for sacrifice comes with a promise of eternal reward: You will have treasure in heaven. Jesus’ call is a test to see how responsive the man is to God’s direction through him. Will he walk the path God’s agent calls him to walk? For a rich person who got it right, see Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.

25 tn Grk “he had many possessions.” This term (κτῆμα, kthma) is often used for land as a possession.

26 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

27 tn Grk “I say to you.”

28 tc A few late witnesses (579 1424 pc) read κάμιλον (kamilon, “rope”) for κάμηλον (kamhlon, “camel”), either through accidental misreading of the text or intentionally so as to soften Jesus’ words.

29 sn The eye of a needle refers to a sewing needle. (The gate in Jerusalem known as “The Needle’s Eye” was built during the middle ages and was not in existence in Jesus’ day.) Jesus was saying rhetorically that it is impossible for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom, unless God (v. 26) intervenes.

30 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

31 sn The assumption is that the rich are blessed, so if they risk exclusion, who is left to be saved?

32 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

33 tn The plural Greek term ἄνθρωποις (anqrwpois) is used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women (cf. NASB 1995 update, “people”). Because of the contrast here between mere mortals and God (“impossible for men, but for God all things are possible”) the phrase “mere humans” has been used in the translation. There may also be a slight wordplay with “the Son of Man” in v. 28.

34 tn Grk “Then answering, Peter said.” This construction is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation.

35 sn Peter wants reassurance that the disciples’ response and sacrifice have been noticed.

36 tn Grk “We have left everything and followed you.” Koine Greek often used paratactic structure when hypotactic was implied.

37 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

38 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

39 sn The Greek term translated the age when all things are renewed (παλιγγενεσία, palingenesia) is understood as a reference to the Messianic age, the time when all things are renewed and restored (cf. Rev 21:5).

40 sn The statement you…will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel looks at the future authority the Twelve will have when Jesus returns. They will share in Israel’s judgment.

41 sn Jesus reassures his disciples with a promise that (1) much benefit in this life (a hundred times as much) and (2) eternal life will be given.

42 sn The term landowner here refers to the owner and manager of a household.

43 tn Grk “agreeing with the workers for a denarius a day.”

44 tn Grk “about the third hour.”

45 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

46 tn Grk “he went out again about the sixth and ninth hour.”

47 tn Grk “about the eleventh hour.”

48 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

49 sn That is, six o’clock in the evening, the hour to pay day laborers. See Lev 19:13b.

50 tc ‡ Most witnesses (including B D W Θ Ë1,13 33vid Ï latt sy) have αὐτοῖς (autois, “to them”) after ἀπόδος (apodos, “give the pay”), but this seems to be a motivated reading, clarifying the indirect object. The omission is supported by א C L Z 085 Or. Nevertheless, NA27 includes the pronoun on the basis of the greater external attestation.

51 tn Grk “each received a denarius.” See the note on the phrase “standard wage” in v. 2.

52 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

53 tn The imperfect verb ἐγόγγυζον (egonguzon) has been translated ingressively.

54 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the landowner) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

55 tn Grk “And answering, he said to one of them.” This construction is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation.

56 tn Grk “for a denarius a day.”

57 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

58 tn Grk “this last one,” translated as “this last man” because field laborers in 1st century Palestine were men.

59 tc ‡ Before οὐκ (ouk, “[am I] not”) a number of significant witnesses read (h, “or”; e.g., א C W 085 Ë1,13 33 and most others). Although in later Greek the οι in σοι (oi in soi) – the last word of v. 14 – would have been pronounced like , since is lacking in early mss (B D; among later witnesses, note L Z Θ 700) and since mss were probably copied predominantly by sight rather than by sound, even into the later centuries, the omission of cannot be accounted for as easily. Thus the shorter reading is most likely original. NA27 includes the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

60 tn Grk “Is your eye evil because I am good?”

61 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

62 tc ‡ A number of significant witnesses (e.g., B C W 085 33 lat) have μαθητάς (maqhtas, “disciples”) after δώδεκα (dwdeka, “twelve”), perhaps by way of clarification, while other important witnesses lack the word (e.g., א D L Θ Ë1,13). The longer reading looks to be a scribal clarification, and hence is considered to be secondary. NA27 puts the word in brackets to show doubts about its authenticity.

63 tn Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

64 tn Traditionally, “scourged” (the term means to beat severely with a whip, L&N 19.9). BDAG 620 s.v. μαστιγόω 1.a states, “The ‘verberatio’ is denoted in the passion predictions and explicitly as action by non-Israelites Mt 20:19; Mk 10:34; Lk 18:33”; the verberatio was the beating given to those condemned to death in the Roman judicial system. Here the term μαστιγόω (mastigow) has been translated “flog…severely” to distinguish it from the term φραγελλόω (fragellow) used in Matt 27:26; Mark 15:15.

65 sn Crucifixion was the cruelest form of punishment practiced by the Romans. Roman citizens could not normally undergo it. It was reserved for the worst crimes, like treason and evasion of due process in a capital case. The Roman historian Cicero called it “a cruel and disgusting penalty” (Against Verres 2.5.63-66 §§163-70); Josephus (J. W. 7.6.4 [7.203]) called it the worst of deaths.

66 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

67 tn Grk “asked something from him.”

68 tn Grk “said to him.”

69 tn Grk “Say that.”

70 tc A majority of witnesses read σου (sou, “your”) here, perhaps for clarification. At the same time, it is possible that the pronoun dropped out through haplography or was excised because of perceived redundancy (there are two other such pronouns in the verse) by א B. Either way, the translation adds it due to the requirements of English style. NA27 includes σου here.

71 tn Grk “And answering, Jesus said.” This is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

72 tn The verbs in Greek are plural here, indicating that Jesus is not answering the mother but has turned his attention directly to the two disciples.

73 tc Most mss (C W 33 Ï, as well as some versional and patristic authorities) in addition have “or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” But this is surely due to a recollection of the fuller version of this dominical saying found in Mark 10:38. The same mss also have the Lord’s response, “and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized” in v. 23, again due to the parallel in Mark 10:39. The shorter reading, in both v. 22 and v. 23, is to be preferred both because it better explains the rise of the other reading and is found in superior witnesses (א B D L Z Θ 085 Ë1,13 pc lat, as well as other versional and patristic authorities).

74 sn No more naïve words have ever been spoken as those found here coming from James and John, “We are able.” They said it with such confidence and ease, yet they had little clue as to what they were affirming. In the next sentence Jesus confirms that they will indeed suffer for his name.

75 tc See the tc note on “about to drink” in v. 22.

76 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

77 tn Grk “the ten.”

78 tn The word “this” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

79 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

80 sn The Greek word for ransom (λύτρον, lutron) is found here and in Mark 10:45 and refers to the payment of a price in order to purchase the freedom of a slave. The idea of Jesus as the “ransom” is that he paid the price with his own life by standing in our place as a substitute, enduring the judgment that we deserved for sin.

81 map For location see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.

82 tn Grk “And behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

83 tn Grk “shouted, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.

84 sn Have mercy on us is a request for healing. It is not owed to the men. They simply ask for God’s kind grace.

85 sn There was a tradition in Judaism that the Son of David (Solomon) had great powers of healing (Josephus, Ant. 8.2.5 [8.42-49]).

86 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

87 tn Or “rebuked.” The crowd’s view was that surely Jesus would not be bothered with someone as unimportant as a blind beggar.

88 tc ‡ The majority of mss (C W Ë1 33 Ï and several versional witnesses) read κύριε (kurie, “Lord”) after ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς (elehson Jhma", “have mercy on us”). But since this is the order of words in v. 30 (though that wording is also disputed), and since the κύριε-first reading enjoys widespread and early support (א B D L Z Θ 085 0281 Ë13 892 pc lat), the latter was considered original. However, the decision was by no means easy. NA27 has κύριε after ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς here; a majority of that committee felt that since the placement of κύριε in last place was the nonliturgical order it “would have been likely to be altered in transcription to the more familiar sequence” (TCGNT 44).

89 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

90 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

91 sn The exact location of the village of Bethphage is not known. Most put it on the southeast side of the Mount of Olives and northwest of Bethany, about 1.5 miles (3 km) east of Jerusalem.

92 sn “Mountain” in English generally denotes a higher elevation than it often does in reference to places in Palestine. The Mount of Olives is really a ridge running north to south about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long, east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. Its central elevation is about 30 meters (100 ft) higher than Jerusalem. It was named for the large number of olive trees which grew on it.

93 tn Grk “the village lying before you” (BDAG 530 s.v. κατέναντι 2.b).

94 sn The custom called angaria allowed the impressment of animals for service to a significant figure.

95 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

96 tn Grk “what was spoken by the prophet, saying.” The present participle λέγοντος (legontos) is redundant and has not been translated.

97 tn Grk “Tell the daughter of Zion” (the phrase “daughter of Zion” is an idiom for the inhabitants of Jerusalem: “people of Zion”). The idiom “daughter of Zion” has been translated as “people of Zion” because the original idiom, while firmly embedded in the Christian tradition, is not understandable to most modern English readers.

98 tn Grk “the foal of an animal under the yoke,” i.e., a hard-working animal. This is a quotation from Zech 9:9.

99 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ instructions in vv. 2-3.

100 tn Grk “garments”; but this refers in context to their outer cloaks. The action is like 2 Kgs 9:13.

101 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

102 tn Grk “were shouting, saying.” The participle λέγοντας (legontas) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.

103 tn The expression ῾Ωσαννά (Jwsanna, literally in Hebrew, “O Lord, save”) in the quotation from Ps 118:25-26 was probably by this time a familiar liturgical expression of praise, on the order of “Hail to the king,” although both the underlying Aramaic and Hebrew expressions meant “O Lord, save us.” In words familiar to every Jew, the author is indicating that at this point every messianic expectation is now at the point of realization. It is clear from the words of the psalm shouted by the crowd that Jesus is being proclaimed as messianic king. See E. Lohse, TDNT 9:682-84.

104 sn A quotation from Ps 118:25-26.

105 tn Grk “was shaken.” The translation “thrown into an uproar” is given by L&N 25.233.

106 map For location see Map1-D3; Map2-C2; Map3-D5; Map4-C1; Map5-G3.

107 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

108 tn Grk “the temple.”

109 tn Grk “the temple.”

110 sn A quotation from Isa 56:7.

111 tn Or “a hideout” (see L&N 1.57).

112 sn A quotation from Jer 7:11. The meaning of Jesus’ statement about making the temple courts a den of robbers probably operates here at two levels. Not only were the religious leaders robbing the people financially, but because of this they had also robbed them spiritually by stealing from them the opportunity to come to know God genuinely. It is possible that these merchants had recently been moved to this location for convenience.

113 tn Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

114 tn Grk “crying out in the temple [courts] and saying.” The participle λέγοντας (legontas) is somewhat redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.

115 sn A quotation from Ps 8:2.

116 tn Grk “one fig tree.”

117 tn Grk “And answering, Jesus said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

118 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

119 tn Grk “believing”; the participle here is conditional.

120 tn Grk “he.”

121 tn Grk “the temple.”

122 tn On this phrase, see BDAG 844 s.v. ποῖος 2.a.γ.1

123 tn Grk “answering, Jesus said to them.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

124 tn The plural Greek term ἀνθρώπων (anqrwpwn) is used here (and in v. 26) in a generic sense, referring to both men and women (cf. NAB, NRSV, “of human origin”; TEV, “from human beings”; NLT, “merely human”).

125 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “So” to indicate that the clause is a result of the deliberations of the leaders.

126 tn Grk “answering Jesus, they said.” This construction is somewhat awkward in English and has been simplified in the translation.

127 sn Very few questions could have so completely revealed the wicked intentions of the religious leaders. Jesus’ question revealed the motivation of the religious leaders and exposed them for what they really were – hypocrites. They indicted themselves when they cited only two options and chose neither of them (“We do not know”). The point of Matt 21:23-27 is that no matter what Jesus said in response to their question, they were not going to believe it and would in the end use it against him.

128 sn Neither will I tell you. Though Jesus gave no answer, the analogy he used to their own question makes his view clear. His authority came from heaven.

129 tn On this phrase, see BDAG 844 s.v. ποῖος 2.a.γ. This is exactly the same phrase as in v. 23.

130 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

131 tn Grk “And answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here the referent (“the boy”) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

132 tn The Greek text reads here μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai): “to change one’s mind about something, with the probable implication of regret” (L&N 31.59); cf. also BDAG 639 s.v. The idea in this context involves more than just a change of mind, for the son regrets his initial response. The same verb is used in v. 32.

133 tn “And he”; here δέ (de) has not been translated.

134 tn Grk “And answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated. Here the referent (“this boy”) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

135 tc Verses 29-31 involve a rather complex and difficult textual problem. The variants cluster into three different groups: (1) The first son says “no” and later has a change of heart, and the second son says “yes” but does not go. The second son is called the one who does his father’s will. This reading is found in the Western mss (D it). But the reading is so hard as to be nearly impossible. One can only suspect some tampering with the text, extreme carelessness on the part of the scribe, or possibly a recognition of the importance of not shaming one’s parent in public. (Any of these reasons is not improbable with this texttype, and with codex D in particular.) The other two major variants are more difficult to assess. Essentially, the responses make sense (the son who does his father’s will is the one who changes his mind after saying “no”): (2) The first son says “no” and later has a change of heart, and the second son says “yes” but does not go. But here, the first son is called the one who does his father’s will (unlike the Western reading). This is the reading found in (א) C L W (Z) 0102 0281 Ë1 33 Ï and several versional witnesses. (3) The first son says “yes” but does not go, and the second son says “no” but later has a change of heart. This is the reading found in B Θ Ë13 700 and several versional witnesses. Both of these latter two readings make good sense and have significantly better textual support than the first reading. The real question, then, is this: Is the first son or the second the obedient one? If one were to argue simply from the parabolic logic, the second son would be seen as the obedient one (hence, the third reading). The first son would represent the Pharisees (or Jews) who claim to obey God, but do not (cf. Matt 23:3). This accords well with the parable of the prodigal son (in which the oldest son represents the unbelieving Jews). Further, the chronological sequence of the second son being obedient fits well with the real scene: Gentiles and tax collectors and prostitutes were not, collectively, God’s chosen people, but they did repent and come to God, while the Jewish leaders claimed to be obedient to God but did nothing. At the same time, the external evidence is weaker for this reading (though stronger than the first reading), not as widespread, and certainly suspect because of how neatly it fits. One suspects scribal manipulation at this point. Thus the second reading looks to be superior to the other two on both external and transcriptional grounds. But what about intrinsic evidence? One can surmise that Jesus didn’t always give predictable responses. In this instance, he may well have painted a picture in which the Pharisees saw themselves as the first son, only to stun them with his application (v. 32).

136 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

137 sn See the note on tax collectors in 5:46.

138 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

139 sn The word translated change your minds is the same verb used in v. 29 (there translated had a change of heart). Jesus is making an obvious comparison here, in which the religious leaders are viewed as the disobedient son.

140 tn The term here refers to the owner and manager of a household.

141 sn The vineyard is a figure for Israel in the OT (Isa 5:1-7). The nation and its leaders are the tenants, so the vineyard here may well refer to the promise that resides within the nation. The imagery is like that in Rom 11:11-24.

142 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

143 sn The leasing of land to tenant farmers was common in this period.

144 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

145 tn Grk “to collect his fruits.”

146 sn The image of the tenants mistreating the owner’s slaves pictures the nation’s rejection of the prophets and their message.

147 sn The owner’s decision to send his son represents God sending Jesus.

148 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the tenants’ decision to kill the son in v. 38.

149 tn Grk “seizing him.” The participle λαβόντες (labontes) has been translated as attendant circumstance.

150 sn Throwing the heir out of the vineyard pictures Jesus’ death outside of Jerusalem.

151 tn Or “capstone,” “keystone.” Although these meanings are lexically possible, the imagery in Eph 2:20-22 and 1 Cor 3:11 indicates that the term κεφαλὴ γωνίας (kefalh gwnia") refers to a cornerstone, not a capstone.

152 sn A quotation from Ps 118:22-23.

153 tn Or “to a nation” (so KJV, NASB, NLT).

154 tc A few witnesses, especially of the Western text (D 33 it sys Or Eussyr), do not contain 21:44. However, the verse is found in א B C L W Z (Θ) 0102 Ë1,13 Ï lat syc,p,h co and should be included as authentic.

155 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

156 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

157 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the crowds) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Both previous occurrences of “they” in this verse refer to the chief priests and the Pharisees.

158 tn Grk “And answering again, Jesus spoke.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.

159 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

160 tn Grk “Behold, I have prepared my dinner.” In some contexts, however, to translate ἄριστον (ariston) as “dinner” somewhat misses the point. L&N 23.22 here suggests, “See now, the feast I have prepared (for you is ready).”

161 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

162 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

163 tn Grk “he sent his soldiers, destroyed those murderers.” The verb ἀπώλεσεν (apwlesen) is causative, indicating that the king was the one behind the execution of the murderers. In English the causative idea is not expressed naturally here; either a purpose clause (“he sent his soldiers to put those murderers to death”) or a relative clause (“he sent his soldier who put those murderers to death”) is preferred.

164 tn The Greek text reads here πόλις (polis), which could be translated “town” or “city.” The prophetic reference is to the city of Jerusalem, so “city” is more appropriate here.

165 tn Grk “he was silent.”

166 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

167 tn Grk “trap him in word.”

168 sn The Herodians are mentioned in the NT only once in Matt (22:16 = Mark 12:13) and twice in Mark (3:6; 12:13; some mss also read “Herodians” instead of “Herod” in Mark 8:15). It is generally assumed that as a group the Herodians were Jewish supporters of the Herodian dynasty (or of Herod Antipas in particular). In every instance they are linked with the Pharisees. This probably reflects agreement regarding political objectives (nationalism as opposed to submission to the yoke of Roman oppression) rather than philosophy or religious beliefs.

169 sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question of the Pharisees and Herodians was specifically designed to trap Jesus.

170 tn Grk “And it is not a concern to you about anyone because you do not see the face of men.”

171 tn Or “lawful,” that is, in accordance with God’s divine law. On the syntax of ἔξεστιν (exestin) with an infinitive and accusative, see BDF §409.3.

172 tn According to L&N 57.180 the term κῆνσος (khnso") was borrowed from Latin and referred to a poll tax, a tax paid by each adult male to the Roman government.

173 tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).

174 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate their response to Jesus’ request for a coin.

175 tn Here the specific name of the coin was retained in the translation, because not all coins in circulation in Palestine at the time carried the image of Caesar. In other places δηνάριον (dhnarion) has been translated simply as “silver coin” with an explanatory note.

176 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

177 tn Or “whose likeness.”

178 tn Grk “they said to him.”

179 tn Grk “then he said to them.” τότε (tote) has not been translated to avoid redundancy.

180 sn Jesus’ answer to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s was a both/and, not the questioners’ either/or. So he slipped out of their trap.

181 tn Grk “they were amazed; they marveled.”

182 sn See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.

183 sn This remark is best regarded as a parenthetical note by the author.

184 tn Grk “and asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

185 tn Grk “and raise up seed,” an idiom for fathering children (L&N 23.59).

186 sn A quotation from Deut 25:5. This practice is called levirate marriage (see also Ruth 4:1-12; Mishnah, m. Yevamot; Josephus, Ant. 4.8.23 [4.254-256]). The levirate law is described in Deut 25:5-10. The brother of a man who died without a son had an obligation to marry his brother’s widow. This served several purposes: It provided for the widow in a society where a widow with no children to care for her would be reduced to begging, and it preserved the name of the deceased, who would be regarded as the legal father of the first son produced from that marriage.

187 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

188 tn Grk “For all had her.”

189 tn Grk “And answering, Jesus said to them.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

190 tn Or “mistaken” (cf. BDAG 822 s.v. πλανάω 2.c.γ).

191 tc Most witnesses have “of God” after “angels,” although some mss read ἄγγελοι θεοῦ (angeloi qeou; א L Ë13 {28} 33 892 1241 1424 al) while others have ἄγγελοι τοῦ θεοῦ (angeloi tou qeou; W 0102 0161 Ï). Whether with or without the article, the reading “of God” appears to be motivated as a natural expansion. A few important witnesses lack the adjunct (B D Θ {0233} Ë1 700 {sa}); this coupled with strong internal evidence argues for the shorter reading.

192 tn Grk “spoken to you by God, saying.” The participle λέγοντος (legontos) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.

193 sn A quotation from Exod 3:6.

194 sn He is not God of the dead but of the living. Jesus’ point was that if God could identify himself as God of the three old patriarchs, then they must still be alive when God spoke to Moses; and so they must be raised.

195 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

196 sn See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.

197 tn Grk “for the same.” That is, for the same purpose that the Sadducees had of testing Jesus.

198 tn Traditionally, “a lawyer.” This was an expert in the interpretation of the Mosaic law.

199 tn Grk “testing.” The participle, however, is telic in force.

200 tn Or possibly “What sort of commandment in the law is great?”

201 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

202 tn Grk “You will love.” The future indicative is used here with imperatival force (see ExSyn 452 and 569).

203 sn A quotation from Deut 6:5. The threefold reference to different parts of the person says, in effect, that one should love God with all one’s being.

204 tn Grk “the great and first.”

205 sn A quotation from Lev 19:18.

206 tn Grk “hang.” The verb κρεμάννυμι (kremannumi) is used here with a figurative meaning (cf. BDAG 566 s.v. 2.b).

207 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

208 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

209 tn Grk “asked them a question, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is somewhat redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.

210 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

211 sn It was a common belief in Judaism that Messiah would be the son of David in that he would come from the lineage of David. On this point the Pharisees agreed and were correct. But their understanding was nonetheless incomplete, for Messiah is also David’s Lord. With this statement Jesus was affirming that, as the Messiah, he is both God and man.

212 sn The Lord said to my Lord. With David being the speaker, this indicates his respect for his descendant (referred to as my Lord). Jesus was arguing, as the ancient exposition assumed, that the passage is about the Lord’s anointed. The passage looks at an enthronement of this figure and a declaration of honor for him as he takes his place at the side of God. In Jerusalem, the king’s palace was located to the right of the temple to indicate this kind of relationship. Jesus was pressing the language here to get his opponents to reflect on how great Messiah is.

213 sn A quotation from Ps 110:1.

214 tn Grk “how is he his son?”

215 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

216 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

217 tn Or “The scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

218 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

219 tn Grk “for they say and do not do.”

220 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

221 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

222 sn Phylacteries were small leather cases containing OT scripture verses, worn on the arm and forehead by Jews, especially when praying. The custom was derived from such OT passages as Exod 13:9; 16; Deut 6:8; 11:18.

223 tn The term κράσπεδον (kraspedon) in some contexts could refer to the outer fringe of the garment (possibly in Mark 6:56). This edge could have been plain or decorated. L&N 6.180 states, “In Mt 23:5 κράσπεδον denotes the tassels worn at the four corners of the outer garment (see 6.194).”

224 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

225 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:23.

226 sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.

227 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

228 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

229 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

230 tn Grk “Woe to you…because you…” The causal particle ὅτι (Joti) has not been translated here for rhetorical effect (and so throughout this chapter).

231 tn Grk “because you are closing the kingdom of heaven before people.”

232 tc The most important mss (א B D L Z Θ Ë1 33 892* pc and several versional witnesses) do not have 23:14 “Woe to you experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ property, and as a show you pray long prayers! Therefore you will receive a more severe punishment.” Part or all of the verse is contained (either after v. 12 or after v. 13) in W 0102 0107 Ë13 Ï and several versions, but it is almost certainly not original. The present translation follows NA27 in omitting the verse number as well, a procedure also followed by a number of other modern translations. Note also that Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47 are very similar in wording and are not disputed textually.

233 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

234 tn Or “one proselyte.”

235 tn Grk “when he becomes [one].”

236 tn Grk “a son of Gehenna.” Expressions constructed with υἱός (Juios) followed by a genitive of class or kind denote a person belonging to the class or kind specified by the following genitive (L&N 9.4). Thus the phrase here means “a person who belongs to hell.”

237 tn Grk “Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing.”

238 tn Grk “Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing.”

239 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

240 tn Or “you tithe mint.”

241 sn Cumin (alternately spelled cummin) was an aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean region. Its seeds were used for seasoning.

242 tc ‡ Many witnesses (B C K L W Δ 0102 33 565 892 pm) have δέ (de, “but”) after ταῦτα (tauta, “these things”), while many others lack it (א D Γ Θ Ë1,13 579 700 1241 1424 pm). Since asyndeton was relatively rare in Koine Greek, the conjunction may be an intentional alteration, and is thus omitted from the present translation. NA27 includes the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

243 tn Grk “Blind guides who strain out a gnat yet who swallow a camel!”

244 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

245 tc A very difficult textual problem is found here. The most important Alexandrian and Byzantine, as well as significant Western, witnesses (א B C L W 0102 0281 Ë13 33 Ï lat co) have “and the dish” (καὶ τῆς παροψίδος, kai th" paroyido") after “cup,” while few important witnesses (D Θ Ë1 700 and some versional and patristic authorities) omit the phrase. On the one hand, scribes sometimes tended to eliminate redundancy; since “and the dish” is already present in v. 25, it may have been deleted in v. 26 by well-meaning scribes. On the other hand, as B. M. Metzger notes, the singular pronoun αὐτοῦ (autou, “its”) with τὸ ἐκτός (to ekto", “the outside”) in some of the same witnesses that have the longer reading (viz., B* Ë13 al) hints that their archetype lacked the words (TCGNT 50). Further, scribes would be motivated both to add the phrase from v. 25 and to change αὐτοῦ to the plural pronoun αὐτῶν (aujtwn, “their”). Although the external evidence for the shorter reading is not compelling in itself, combined with these two prongs of internal evidence, it is to be slightly preferred.

246 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

247 sn This was an idiom for hypocrisy – just as the wall was painted on the outside but something different on the inside, so this person was not what he appeared or pretended to be (for discussion of a similar metaphor, see L&N 88.234; BDAG 1010 s.v. τοῖχος). See Deut 28:22; Ezek 13:10-16; Acts 23:3.

248 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

249 tn Grk “Because you.” Here ὅτι (Joti) has not been translated.

250 tn Or perhaps “the monuments” (see L&N 7.75-76).

251 tn Grk “fathers” (so also in v. 32).

252 tn Grk “the judgment of Gehenna.”

253 tn Grk “behold I am sending.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

254 tn Or “scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

255 sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.

256 tn BDAG 620 s.v. μαστιγόω 1.a states, “of flogging as a punishment decreed by the synagogue (Dt 25:2f; s. the Mishna Tractate Sanhedrin-Makkoth, edited w. notes by SKrauss ’33) w. acc. of pers. Mt 10:17; 23:34.”

257 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:23.

258 sn Spelling of this name (Βαραχίου, Baraciou) varies among the English versions: “Barachiah” (RSV, NRSV); “Berechiah” (NASB); “Berachiah” (NIV).

259 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

260 tn Grk “all these things will come on this generation.”

261 sn The double use of the city’s name betrays intense emotion.

262 tn Although the opening address (“Jerusalem, Jerusalem”) is direct (second person), the remainder of this sentence in the Greek text is third person (“who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her”). The following sentences then revert to second person (“your… you”), so to keep all this consistent in English, the third person pronouns in the present verse were translated as second person (“you who kill… sent to you”).

263 sn How often I have longed to gather your children. Jesus, like a lamenting prophet, speaks for God here, who longed to care tenderly for Israel and protect her.

264 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

265 tn Grk “you were not willing.”

266 sn A quotation from Ps 118:26.

267 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

268 sn The Jerusalem temple was widely admired around the world. See Josephus, Ant. 15.11 [15.380-425]; J. W. 5.5 [5.184-227] and Tacitus, History 5.8, who called it “immensely opulent.” Josephus compared it to a beautiful snowcapped mountain.

269 tn Grk “answering, he said to them.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (ajpokriqei") is redundant in English and has not been translated.

270 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

271 sn With the statement not one stone will be left on another Jesus predicted the total destruction of the temple, something that did occur in a.d. 70.

272 tn Grk “not one stone will be left here on another which will not be thrown down.”

273 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

274 sn Because the phrase these things is plural, more than the temple’s destruction is in view. The question may presuppose that such a catastrophe signals the end.

275 tn Grk “answering, Jesus said to them.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

276 tn Or “Be on guard.”

277 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

278 tn Grk “it is not yet the end.”

279 tn For the translation “rise up in arms” see L&N 55.2.

280 sn See Isa 5:13-14; 13:6-16; Hag 2:6-7; Zech 14:4.

281 tc Most witnesses (C Θ 0102 Ë1,13 Ï) have “and plagues” (καὶ λοιμοί, kai loimoi) between “famines” (λιμοί, limoi) and “earthquakes” (σεισμοί, seismoi), while others have “plagues and famines and earthquakes” (L W 33 pc lat). The similarities between λιμοί and λοιμοί could explain how καὶ λοιμοί might have accidentally dropped out, but since the Lukan parallel has both terms (and W lat have the order λοιμοὶ καὶ λιμοί there too, as they do in Matthew), it seems more likely that scribes added the phrase here. The shorter reading does not enjoy overwhelming support ([א] B D 892 pc, as well as versional witnesses), but it is nevertheless significant; coupled with the internal evidence it should be given preference.

282 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

283 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “nations” or “Gentiles”).

284 sn See Matt 5:10-12; 1 Cor 1:25-31.

285 tn Or “many will fall away.” This could also refer to apostasy.

286 tn Or “and lead many astray.”

287 sn But the person who endures to the end will be saved. Jesus was not claiming here that salvation is by works. He was simply arguing that genuine faith evidences itself in persistence through even the worst of trials.

288 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “nations” or “Gentiles”).

289 sn The reference to the abomination of desolation is an allusion to Dan 9:27. Though some have seen the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy in the actions of Antiochus IV (or a representative of his) in 167 b.c., the words of Jesus seem to indicate that Antiochus was not the final fulfillment, but that there was (from Jesus’ perspective) still another fulfillment yet to come. Some argue that this was realized in a.d. 70, while others claim that it refers specifically to Antichrist and will not be fully realized until the period of the great tribulation at the end of the age (cf. Mark 13:14, 19, 24; Rev 3:10).

290 sn Fleeing to the mountains is a key OT image: Gen 19:17; Judg 6:2; Isa 15:5; Jer 16:16; Zech 14:5.

291 sn On the roof. Most of the roofs in the NT were flat roofs made of pounded dirt, sometimes mixed with lime or stones, supported by heavy wooden beams. They generally had an easy means of access, either a sturdy wooden ladder or stone stairway, sometimes on the outside of the house.

292 sn The swiftness and devastation of the judgment will require a swift escape. There will be no time to come down from the roof and pick up anything from inside one’s home.

293 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

294 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

295 tn Traditionally, “great tribulation.”

296 sn Suffering unlike anything that has happened. Some refer this event to the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70. While the events of a.d. 70 may reflect somewhat the comments Jesus makes here, the reference to the scope and severity of this judgment strongly suggest that much more is in view. Most likely Jesus is referring to the great end-time judgment on Jerusalem in the great tribulation.

297 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

298 tn Or “false christs”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

299 tn Or “Pay attention!” Grk “Behold.”

300 tn Grk “they say.” The third person plural is used here as an indefinite and translated “someone” (ExSyn 402).

301 tn Or “in the desert.”

302 sn The Son of Man’s coming in power will be sudden and obvious like lightning. No one will need to point it out.

303 tn The same Greek term can refer to “eagles” or “vultures” (L&N 4.42; BDAG 22 s.v. ἀετός), but in this context it must mean vultures because the gruesome image is one of dead bodies being consumed by scavengers.

304 tn Grk “will be gathered.” The passive construction has been translated as an active one in English.

305 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

306 tn Traditionally, “tribulation.”

307 sn An allusion to Isa 13:10, 34:4 (LXX); Joel 2:10. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, “the heavenly bodies,” NIV) this is not as likely.

308 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

309 tn Or “in the sky”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context.

310 tn Here τότε (tote, “then”) has not been translated to avoid redundancy in English.

311 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

312 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13. Here is Jesus returning with full authority to judge.

313 tn Or “of the sky”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context.

314 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

315 tn The verb γινώσκετε (ginwskete, “know”) can be parsed as either present indicative or present imperative. In this context the imperative fits better, since the movement is from analogy (trees and seasons) to the future (the signs of the coming of the kingdom) and since the emphasis is on preparation for this event.

316 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

317 sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (v. 30), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.

318 sn The words that Jesus predicts here will never pass away. They are more stable and lasting than creation itself. For this kind of image, see Isa 40:8; 55:10-11.

319 tc ‡ Some important witnesses, including early Alexandrian and Western mss (א*,2 B D Θ Ë13 pc it vgmss Irlat Hiermss), have the additional words οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός (oude Jo Juios, “nor the son”) here. Although the shorter reading (which lacks this phrase) is suspect in that it seems to soften the prophetic ignorance of Jesus, the final phrase (“except the Father alone”) already implies this. Further, the parallel in Mark 13:32 has οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός, with almost no witnesses lacking the expression. Hence, it is doubtful that the absence of “neither the Son” is due to the scribes. In keeping with Matthew’s general softening of Mark’s harsh statements throughout his Gospel, it is more likely that the absence of “neither the Son” is part of the original text of Matthew, being an intentional change on the part of the author. Further, this shorter reading is supported by the first corrector of א as well as L W Ë1 33 Ï vg sy co Hiermss. Admittedly, the external evidence is not as impressive for the shorter reading, but it best explains the rise of the other reading (in particular, how does one account for virtually no mss excising οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός at Mark 13:32 if such an absence here is due to scribal alteration? Although scribes were hardly consistent, for such a theologically significant issue at least some consistency would be expected on the part of a few scribes). Nevertheless, NA27 includes οὐδὲ ὁ υἱός here.

320 sn Like the days of Noah, the time of the flood in Gen 6:5-8:22, the judgment will come as a surprise as people live their day to day lives.

321 tn Grk “they,” but in an indefinite sense, “people.”

322 sn Like the flood that came and took them all away, the coming judgment associated with the Son of Man will condemn many.

323 tn Grk “So also will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

324 sn There is debate among commentators and scholars over the phrase one will be taken and one left about whether one is taken for judgment or for salvation. If the imagery is patterned after the rescue of Noah from the flood, as some suggest, the ones taken are the saved (as Noah was) andthose left behind are judged. The imagery, however, is not directly tied to theidentification of the two groups. Its primary purposein context is topicture the sudden, surprisingseparation of the righteous and the judged (i.e., condemned) at the return of the Son of Man.

325 tn According to L&N 46.16, this refers to a hand mill normally operated by two women.

326 tc Most later mss (L 0281 Ï lat) have here ὥρᾳ ({wra, “hour”) instead of ἡμέρα (Jemera, “day”). Although the merits of this reading could be argued either way, in light of the overwhelming and diverse early support for ἡμέρᾳ ({א B C D W Δ Θ Ë13 33 892 1424, as well as several versions and fathers}), the more general term is surely correct.

327 sn On Jesus pictured as a returning thief, see 1 Thess 5:2, 4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15.

328 sn Jesus made clear that his coming could not be timed, and suggested it would take some time – so long, in fact, that some will not be looking for him any longer (at an hour when you do not expect him).

329 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

330 tn Grk “give them.”

331 tn That is, doing his job, doing what he is supposed to be doing.

332 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

333 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the master) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

334 tn In the Greek text this is a third class condition that for all practical purposes is a hypothetical condition (note the translation of the following verb “should say”).

335 tn Grk “should say in his heart.”

336 tn The verb διχοτομέω (dicotomew) means to cut an object into two parts (L&N 19.19). This is an extremely severe punishment compared to the other two later punishments. To translate it simply as “punish” is too mild. If taken literally this servant is dismembered, although it is possible to view the stated punishment as hyperbole (L&N 38.12).

337 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

338 tn Grk “Five of them.”

339 tn Grk “For when.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.

340 tn The word “extra” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The point is that the five foolish virgins had only the oil in their lamps, but took along no extra supply from which to replenish them. This is clear from v. 8, where the lamps of the foolish virgins are going out because they are running out of oil.

341 tn On the use of olive oil in lamps, see L&N 6.202.

342 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

343 tc ‡ Most witnesses have αὐτοῦ (autou, “[with] him”) after ἀπάντησιν (apanthsin, “meeting”), a reading which makes explicit what is already implied in the shorter text (as found in א B 700). The translation likewise adds “him” for clarity’s sake even though the word is not considered part of the original text. NA27 has αὐτοῦ in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

344 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

345 tn Grk “The wise answered, saying, ‘No.’”

346 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

347 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

348 tn Grk “Open to us.”

349 tn Grk “But answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

350 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

351 tc Most later mss (C3 Ë13 1424c Ï) also read here “in which the Son of Man is coming” (ἐν ᾗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεται, en |h Jo Juio" tou anqrwpou ercetai), reproducing almost verbatim the last line of Matt 24:44. The longer reading thus appears to be an explanatory expansion and should not be considered authentic. The earlier and better witnesses ({Ì35 א A B C* D L W Δ Θ Ë1 33 565 892 1424* lat co}) lack this phrase.

352 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

353 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

354 sn A talent was equal to 6000 denarii. See the note on this term in 18:24.

355 tn Grk “traded with them.”

356 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

357 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

358 tn Grk Or “Lord; or “Master” (and so throughout this paragraph).

359 tn Grk “His master said to him.”

360 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

361 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

362 tn Grk “But answering, his master said to him.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

363 tn For the translation “deposited my money with the bankers,” see L&N 57.216.

364 sn That is, “If you really feared me you should have done a minimum to get what I asked for.”

365 tn Grk “the ten talents.”

366 tn Grk “to everyone who has, he will be given more.”

367 sn The one who has nothing has even what he seems to have taken from him, ending up with no reward at all (see also Luke 8:18). The exact force of this is left ambiguous, but there is no comfort here for those who are pictured by the third slave as being totally unmoved by the master. Though not an outright enemy, there is no relationship to the master either.

368 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

369 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

370 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

371 tn Grk “answer him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

372 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

373 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

374 tn Grk “answering, the king will say to them.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

375 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

376 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). In this context Jesus is ultimately speaking of his “followers” (whether men or women, adults or children), but the familial connotation of “brothers and sisters” is also important to retain here.

377 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

378 tn Grk “Then they will answer, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

379 tn Grk “answer them, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

380 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”