Matthew 11:20

Woes on Unrepentant Cities

11:20 Then Jesus began to criticize openly the cities ¹  in which he had done many of his miracles, because they did not repent.

Mark 16:14

16:14 Then he appeared to the eleven themselves, while they were eating, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him resurrected.

Luke 15:20-22

15:20 So ²  he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home ³  his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; ⁴  he ran and hugged ⁵  his son ⁶  and kissed him. 15:21 Then ⁷  his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven ⁸  and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ⁹  15:22 But the father said to his slaves, ¹⁰  ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe, ¹¹  and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger ¹²  and sandals ¹³  on his feet!

¹ tn The Greek word here is πόλις (polis) which can be translated “city” or “town.” “Cities” was chosen here to emphasize the size of the places Jesus’ mentions in the following verses.

² tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the son’s decision to return home. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.

³ tn Grk “a long way off from [home].” The word “home” is implied (L&N 85.16).

⁴ tn Or “felt great affection for him,” “felt great pity for him.”

⁵ tn Grk “he fell on his neck,” an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome.

⁶ tn Grk “him”; the referent (the son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

⁸ sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God. 1st century Judaism tended to minimize use of the divine name out of reverence.

⁹ sn The younger son launches into his confession just as he had planned. See vv. 18-19.

¹⁰ tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.

¹¹ sn With the instructions Hurry! Bring the best robe, there is a total acceptance of the younger son back into the home.

¹² tn Grk “hand”; but χείρ (ceir) can refer to either the whole hand or any relevant part of it (L&N 8.30).

¹³ sn The need for sandals underlines the younger son’s previous destitution, because he was barefoot.