12:44 On that day men were appointed over the storerooms for the contributions, first fruits, and tithes, to gather into them from 1 the fields of the cities the portions prescribed by the law for the priests and the Levites, for the people of Judah 2 took delight in the priests and Levites who were ministering. 3
5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; 19 only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, 20 but through love serve one another. 21
1 tc The translation reads מִשְּׂדֶי (missÿde, “from the fields”) rather than the MT reading לִשְׂדֵי (lisdey, “to the fields”).
2 tn Heb “for Judah.” The words “the people of” have been supplied in the translation for clarity, since “Judah” is a proper name as well as a place name.
3 tn Heb “standing.”
4 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.
5 tn Or “watching”; Grk “awake,” but in context this is not just being awake but alert and looking out.
6 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
7 tn See v. 35 (same verb).
8 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.
9 tn The participle παρελθών (parelqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
10 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.
11 tn The question includes a Greek particle, οὐχί (ouci), that expects a positive reply. The slave is expected to prepare a meal before eating himself.
12 tn Grk “he”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
13 tn Grk “and gird yourself” (with an apron or towel, in preparation for service).
14 tn BDAG 423 s.v. ἕως 2.b, “to denote contemporaneousness as long as, while… w. subjunctive… Lk 17:8.”
15 tn Grk “after these things.”
16 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity and to conform with contemporary English style.
17 tn Grk “And Martha.” The connective καί (kai, “and”) has been omitted in the translation because it would produce a run-on sentence in English.
18 tn Grk “reclining at the table.”
19 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
20 tn Grk “as an opportunity for the flesh”; BDAG 915 s.v. σάρξ 2.c.α states: “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likew. present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ…Gal 5:13, 24;…Opp. τὸ πνεῦμα…Gal 3:3; 5:16, 17ab; 6:8ab.”
21 tn It is possible that the verb δουλεύετε (douleuete) should be translated “serve one another in a humble manner” here, referring to the way in which slaves serve their masters (see L&N 35.27).
22 tn Grk “Behold.”
23 tn Grk “come in to him.”