26:6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,
14:3 Now 1 while Jesus 2 was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, reclining at the table, 3 a woman came with an alabaster jar 4 of costly aromatic oil 5 from pure nard. After breaking open the jar, she poured it on his head.
10:38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus 6 entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. 7 10:39 She 8 had a sister named Mary, who sat 9 at the Lord’s feet 10 and listened to what he said. 10:40 But Martha was distracted 11 with all the preparations she had to make, 12 so 13 she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care 14 that my sister has left me to do all the work 15 alone? Tell 16 her to help me.” 10:41 But the Lord 17 answered her, 18 “Martha, Martha, 19 you are worried and troubled 20 about many things, 10:42 but one thing 21 is needed. Mary has chosen the best 22 part; it will not be taken away from her.”
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
2 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 sn 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
4 sn A jar made of alabaster stone was normally used for very precious substances like perfumes. It normally had a long neck which was sealed and had to be broken off so the contents could be used.
5 tn Μύρον (muron) was usually made of myrrh (from which the English word is derived) but here it is used in the sense of ointment or perfumed oil (L&N 6.205). The adjective πιστικῆς (pistikh") is difficult with regard to its exact meaning; some have taken it to derive from πίστις (pistis) and relate to the purity of the oil of nard. More probably it is something like a brand name, “pistic nard,” the exact significance of which has not been discovered.
6 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7 tc Most
8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
9 tn This reflexive makes it clear that Mary took the initiative in sitting by Jesus.
10 sn The description of Mary sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to him makes her sound like a disciple (compare Luke 8:35).
11 sn The term distracted means “to be pulled away” by something (L&N 25.238). It is a narrative comment that makes clear who is right in the account.
12 tn Grk “with much serving.”
13 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that the following was a result of Martha’s distraction.
14 tn The negative οὐ (ou) used with the verb expects a positive reply. Martha expected Jesus to respond and rebuke Mary.
15 tn Grk “has left me to serve alone.”
16 tn The conjunction οὖν (oun, “then, therefore”) has not been translated here.
17 tc Most
18 tn Grk “answering, said to her.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “answered her.”
19 sn The double vocative Martha, Martha communicates emotion.
20 tn Or “upset.” Here the meanings of μεριμνάω (merimnaw) and θορυβάζομαι (qorubazomai) reinforce each other (L&N 25.234).
21 tc Or, with some
22 tn Or “better”; Grk “good.” This is an instance of the positive adjective used in place of the superlative adjective. According to ExSyn 298, this could also be treated as a positive for comparative (“better”).
23 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.
24 tn Or “watching”; Grk “awake,” but in context this is not just being awake but alert and looking out.
25 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
26 tn See v. 35 (same verb).
27 tn Grk “have them recline at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
28 tn The participle παρελθών (parelqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
29 sn He…will come and wait on them is a reversal of expectation, but shows that what Jesus asks for he is willing to do as well; see John 13:5 and 15:18-27, although those instances merely foreshadow what is in view here.
30 tn Grk “who reclines at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
31 tn The interrogative particle used here in the Greek text (οὐχί, ouci) expects a positive reply.
32 sn Jesus’ example of humble service, as one who serves, shows that the standard for a disciple is different from that of the world. For an example see John 13:1-17.