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  Discovery Box

Matthew 1:1--8:34

Context
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1:1 This is the record of the genealogy 1  of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

1:2 Abraham was the father 2  of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 1:3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah (by Tamar), Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 1:4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 1:5 Salmon the father of Boaz (by Rahab), Boaz the father of Obed (by Ruth), Obed the father of Jesse, 1:6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

David was the father of Solomon (by the wife of Uriah 3 ), 1:7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 4  1:8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah, 1:9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 1:10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, 5  Amon the father of Josiah, 1:11 and Josiah 6  the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

1:12 After 7  the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, 8  Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 1:13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 1:14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, 1:15 Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom 9  Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 10 

1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, 11  fourteen generations.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, 12  she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 1:19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, 13  was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her 14  privately. 1:20 When he had contemplated this, an 15  angel of the Lord 16  appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 1:21 She will give birth to a son and you will name him 17  Jesus, 18  because he will save his people from their sins.” 1:22 This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: 1:23Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him 19  Emmanuel,” 20  which means 21 God with us.” 22  1:24 When Joseph awoke from sleep he did what the angel of the Lord 23  told him. He took his wife, 1:25 but did not have marital relations 24  with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named 25  Jesus.

The Visit of the Wise Men

2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem 26  in Judea, in the time 27  of King Herod, 28  wise men 29  from the East came to Jerusalem 30  2:2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose 31  and have come to worship him.” 2:3 When King Herod 32  heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4 After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, 33  he asked them where the Christ 34  was to be born. 2:5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:

2:6And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are in no way least among the rulers of Judah,

for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 35 

2:7 Then Herod 36  privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. 2:8 He 37  sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” 2:9 After listening to the king they left, and once again 38  the star they saw when it rose 39  led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 2:10 When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. 40  2:11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down 41  and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, 42  and myrrh. 43  2:12 After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 44  they went back by another route to their own country.

The Escape to Egypt

2:13 After they had gone, an 45  angel of the Lord 46  appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod 47  is going to look for the child to kill him.” 2:14 Then he got up, took the child and his mother during 48  the night, and went to Egypt. 2:15 He stayed there until Herod 49  died. In this way what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” 50 

2:16 When Herod 51  saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men 52  to kill all the children in Bethlehem 53  and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men. 2:17 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

2:18A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and loud wailing, 54 

Rachel weeping for her children,

and she did not want to be comforted, because they were 55  gone. 56 

The Return to Nazareth

2:19 After Herod 57  had died, an 58  angel of the Lord 59  appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 2:20 saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 2:21 So 60  he got up and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Israel. 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus 61  was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, 62  he was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the regions of Galilee. 2:23 He came to a town called Nazareth 63  and lived there. Then what had been spoken by the prophets was fulfilled, that Jesus 64  would be called a Nazarene. 65 

The Ministry of John the Baptist

3:1 In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness 66  of Judea proclaiming, 3:2 “Repent, 67  for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3:3 For he is the one about whom Isaiah the prophet had spoken: 68 

The voice 69  of one shouting in the wilderness,

Prepare the way for the Lord, make 70  his paths straight.’” 71 

3:4 Now John wore clothing made from camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. 72  3:5 Then people from Jerusalem, 73  as well as all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, were going out to him, 3:6 and he was baptizing them 74  in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

3:7 But when he saw many Pharisees 75  and Sadducees 76  coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 3:8 Therefore produce fruit 77  that proves your 78  repentance, 3:9 and don’t think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! 3:10 Even now the ax is laid at 79  the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

3:11 “I baptize you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am – I am not worthy 80  to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 81  3:12 His winnowing fork 82  is in his hand, and he will clean out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the storehouse, 83  but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire.” 84 

The Baptism of Jesus

3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. 85  3:14 But John 86  tried to prevent 87  him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” 3:15 So Jesus replied 88  to him, “Let it happen now, 89  for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John 90  yielded 91  to him. 3:16 After 92  Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, the 93  heavens 94  opened 95  and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove 96  and coming on him. 3:17 And 97  a voice from heaven said, 98  “This is my one dear Son; 99  in him 100  I take great delight.” 101 

The Temptation of Jesus

4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 102  to be tempted by the devil. 4:2 After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. 103  4:3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” 104  4:4 But he answered, 105  “It is written, ‘Man 106  does not live 107  by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 108  4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, 109  had him stand 110  on the highest point 111  of the temple, 4:6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you 112  and ‘with their hands they will lift you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 113  4:7 Jesus said to him, “Once again it is written: ‘You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.’” 114  4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. 115  4:9 And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship 116  me.” 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, 117  Satan! For it is written: ‘You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” 118  4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels 119  came and began ministering to his needs.

Preaching in Galilee

4:12 Now when Jesus 120  heard that John had been imprisoned, 121  he went into Galilee. 4:13 While in Galilee, he moved from Nazareth 122  to make his home in Capernaum 123  by the sea, 124  in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 4:14 so that what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled: 125 

4:15Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

the way by the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles –

4:16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,

and on those who sit in the region and shadow of death a light has dawned. 126 

4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach this message: 127  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

The Call of the Disciples

4:18 As 128  he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). 129  4:19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” 130  4:20 They 131  left their nets immediately and followed him. 132  4:21 Going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat 133  with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. Then 134  he called them. 4:22 They 135  immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus’ Healing Ministry

4:23 Jesus 136  went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, 137  preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sickness among the people. 4:24 So a report about him spread throughout Syria. People 138  brought to him all who suffered with various illnesses and afflictions, those who had seizures, 139  paralytics, and those possessed by demons, 140  and he healed them. 4:25 And large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, 141  Jerusalem, 142  Judea, and beyond the Jordan River. 143 

The Beatitudes

5:1 When 144  he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. 145  After he sat down his disciples came to him. 5:2 Then 146  he began to teach 147  them by saying:

5:3 “Blessed 148  are the poor in spirit, 149  for the kingdom of heaven belongs 150  to them.

5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 151 

5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger 152  and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children 153  of God.

5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

5:11 “Blessed are you when people 154  insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely 155  on account of me. 5:12 Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Salt and Light

5:13 “You are the salt 156  of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, 157  how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 5:15 People 158  do not light a lamp and put it under a basket 159  but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets

5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. 160  5:18 I 161  tell you the truth, 162  until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter 163  will pass from the law until everything takes place. 5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others 164  to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law 165  and the Pharisees, 166  you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger and Murder

5:21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation, 167 Do not murder,’ 168  and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’ 5:22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother 169  will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults 170  a brother will be brought before 171  the council, 172  and whoever says ‘Fool’ 173  will be sent 174  to fiery hell. 175  5:23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 5:24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift. 5:25 Reach agreement 176  quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, 177  or he 178  may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. 5:26 I tell you the truth, 179  you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny! 180 

Adultery

5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 181  5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 182  5:30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

5:31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’ 183  5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, 184 Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 185  5:34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all – not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 5:35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, 186  because it is the city of the great King. 5:36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 5:37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one. 187 

Retaliation

5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 188  5:39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. 189  But whoever strikes you on the 190  right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 5:40 And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, 191  give him your coat also. 5:41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, 192  go with him two. 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, 193  and do not reject 194  the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor 195  and ‘hate your enemy.’ 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemy and 196  pray for those who persecute you, 5:45 so that you may be like 197  your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors 198  do the same, don’t they? 5:47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 5:48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 199 

Pure-hearted Giving

6:1 “Be 200  careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. 201  Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven. 6:2 Thus whenever you do charitable giving, 202  do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues 203  and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, 204  they have their reward. 6:3 But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 6:4 so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 205 

Private Prayer

6:5 “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues 206  and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, 207  close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 208  6:7 When 209  you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. 6:8 Do 210  not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 6:9 So pray this way: 211 

Our Father 212  in heaven, may your name be honored, 213 

6:10 may your kingdom come, 214 

may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

6:11 Give us today our daily bread, 215 

6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves 216  have forgiven our debtors.

6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, 217  but deliver us from the evil one. 218 

6:14 “For if you forgive others 219  their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 6:15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.

Proper Fasting

6:16 “When 220  you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive 221  so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, 222  they have their reward. 6:17 When 223  you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 6:18 so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

Lasting Treasure

6:19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth 224  and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your 225  treasure 226  is, there your heart will be also.

6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, 227  your whole body will be full of light. 6:23 But if your eye is diseased, 228  your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate 229  the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise 230  the other. You cannot serve God and money. 231 

Do Not Worry

6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry 232  about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? 6:26 Look at the birds in the sky: 233  They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds 234  them. Aren’t you more valuable 235  than they are? 6:27 And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? 236  6:28 Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers 237  of the field grow; they do not work 238  or spin. 6:29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! 6:30 And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, 239  which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, 240  won’t he clothe you even more, 241  you people of little faith? 6:31 So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 6:32 For the unconverted 242  pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 6:33 But above all pursue his kingdom 243  and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 6:34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. 244 

Do Not Judge

7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 245  7:2 For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. 246  7:3 Why 247  do you see the speck 248  in your brother’s eye, but fail to see 249  the beam of wood 250  in your own? 7:4 Or how can you say 251  to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 7:6 Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces. 252 

Ask, Seek, Knock

7:7 “Ask 253  and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door 254  will be opened for you. 7:8 For everyone who asks 255  receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 7:9 Is 256  there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 257  7:11 If you then, although you are evil, 258  know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts 259  to those who ask him! 7:12 In 260  everything, treat others as you would want them 261  to treat you, 262  for this fulfills 263  the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate

7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 7:14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

7:15 “Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. 264  7:16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered 265  from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? 266  7:17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad 267  tree bears bad fruit. 7:18 A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 7:20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

Judgment of Pretenders

7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ 268  will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 7:22 On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do 269  many powerful deeds?’ 7:23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’ 270 

Hearing and Doing

7:24 “Everyone 271  who hears these words of mine and does them is like 272  a wise man 273  who built his house on rock. 7:25 The rain fell, the flood 274  came, and the winds beat against that house, but it did not collapse because it had been founded on rock. 7:26 Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 7:27 The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, and it collapsed; it was utterly destroyed!” 275 

7:28 When 276  Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed by his teaching, 7:29 because he taught them like one who had authority, 277  not like their experts in the law. 278 

Cleansing a Leper

8:1 After he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 8:2 And a leper 279  approached, and bowed low before him, saying, 280  “Lord, if 281  you are willing, you can make me clean.” 8:3 He stretched out his hand and touched 282  him saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 8:4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you do not speak to anyone, 283  but go, show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering 284  that Moses commanded, 285  as a testimony to them.” 286 

Healing the Centurion’s Servant

8:5 When he entered Capernaum, 287  a centurion 288  came to him asking for help: 289  8:6 “Lord, 290  my servant 291  is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible anguish.” 8:7 Jesus 292  said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8:8 But the centurion replied, 293  “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Instead, just say the word and my servant will be healed. 8:9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. 294  I say to this one, ‘Go’ and he goes, 295  and to another ‘Come’ and he comes, and to my slave 296  ‘Do this’ and he does it.” 297  8:10 When 298  Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “I tell you the truth, 299  I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel! 8:11 I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet 300  with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 301  in the kingdom of heaven, 8:12 but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 302  8:13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; just as you believed, it will be done for you.” And the servant 303  was healed at that hour.

Healings at Peter’s House

8:14 Now 304  when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying down, 305  sick with a fever. 8:15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then 306  she got up and began to serve them. 8:16 When it was evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to him. He drove out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. 307  8:17 In this way what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled: 308 

He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases. 309 

Challenging Professed Followers

8:18 Now when Jesus saw a large crowd 310  around him, he gave orders to go to the other side of the lake. 311  8:19 Then 312  an expert in the law 313  came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 314  8:20 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky 315  have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 316  8:21 Another 317  of the 318  disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 8:22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” 319 

Stilling of a Storm

8:23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 320  8:24 And a great storm developed on the sea so that the waves began to swamp the boat. But he was asleep. 8:25 So they came 321  and woke him up saying, “Lord, save us! We are about to die!” 8:26 But 322  he said to them, “Why are you cowardly, you people of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked 323  the winds and the sea, 324  and it was dead calm. 8:27 And the men 325  were amazed and said, 326  “What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!” 327 

Healing the Gadarene Demoniacs

8:28 When he came to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, 328  two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were extremely violent, so that no one was able to pass by that way. 8:29 They 329  cried out, “Son of God, leave us alone! 330  Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 331  8:30 A 332  large herd of pigs was feeding some distance from them. 8:31 Then the demons begged him, 333  “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 8:32 And he said, 334  “Go!” So 335  they came out and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake and drowned in the water. 8:33 The 336  herdsmen ran off, went into the town, 337  and told everything that had happened to the demon-possessed men. 8:34 Then 338  the entire town 339  came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

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[1:1]  1 tn Grk “the book of the genealogy.” The noun βίβλος (biblo"), though it is without the article, is to be translated as definite due to Apollonius’ corollary and the normal use of anarthrous nouns in titles.

[1:2]  2 tn Grk “fathered.”

[1:6]  3 sn By the wife of Uriah, i.e., Bathsheba (cf. 2 Sam 11:3).

[1:7]  4 tc The reading ᾿Ασάφ (Asaf), a variant spelling on ᾿Ασά (Asa), is found in the earliest and most widespread witnesses (Ì1vid א B C [Dluc] Ë1,13 700 pc it co). Although Asaph was a psalmist and Asa was a king, it is doubtful that the author mistook one for the other since other ancient documents have variant spellings on the king’s name (such as “Asab,” “Asanos,” and “Asaph”). Thus the spelling ᾿Ασάφ that is almost surely found in the original of Matt 1:7-8 has been translated as “Asa” in keeping with the more common spelling of the king’s name.

[1:10]  5 tc ᾿Αμώς (Amws) is the reading found in the earliest and best witnesses (א B C [Dluc] γ δ θ Ë1 33 pc it sa bo), and as such is most likely original, but this is a variant spelling of the name ᾿Αμών (Amwn). The translation uses the more well-known spelling “Amon” found in the Hebrew MT and the majority of LXX mss. See also the textual discussion of “Asa” versus “Asaph” (vv. 7-8); the situation is similar.

[1:11]  6 sn Before the mention of Jeconiah, several medieval mss add Jehoiakim, in conformity with the genealogy in 1 Chr 3:15-16. But this alters the count of fourteen generations (v. 17). It is evident that the author is selective in his genealogy for a theological purpose.

[1:12]  7 tn Because of the difference between Greek style, which usually begins a sentence with a conjunction, and English style, which generally does not, the conjunction δέ (de) has not been translated here.

[1:12]  8 sn The Greek text and the KJV read Salathiel. Most modern English translations use the OT form of the name (cf. Ezra 3:2).

[1:16]  9 tc There are three significant variant readings at this point in the text. Some mss and versional witnesses (Θ Ë13 it) read, “Joseph, to whom the virgin Mary, being betrothed, bore Jesus, who is called Christ.” This reading makes even more explicit than the feminine pronoun (see sn below) the virginal conception of Jesus and as such seems to be a motivated reading. The Sinaitic Syriac ms alone indicates that Joseph was the father of Jesus (“Joseph, to whom was betrothed Mary the virgin, fathered Jesus who is called the Christ”). Although much discussed, this reading has not been found in any Greek witnesses. B. M. Metzger suggests that it was produced by a careless scribe who simply reproduced the set formula of the preceding lines in the genealogy (TCGNT 6). In all likelihood, the two competing variants were thus produced by intentional and unintentional scribal alterations respectively. The reading adopted in the translation has overwhelming support from a variety of witnesses (Ì1 א B C L W [Ë1] 33 Ï co), and therefore should be regarded as authentic. For a detailed discussion of this textual problem, see TCGNT 2-6.

[1:16]  10 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

[1:17]  11 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

[1:18]  12 tn The connotation of the Greek is “before they came together in marital and domestic union” (so BDAG 970 s.v. συνέρχομαι 3).

[1:19]  13 tn Grk “husband.” See following note for discussion.

[1:19]  14 tn Or “send her away.”

[1:20]  15 tn Grk “behold, an angel.” 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).

[1:20]  16 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” Linguistically, “angel of the Lord” is the same in both testaments (and thus, he is either “an angel of the Lord” or “the angel of the Lord” in both testaments). For arguments and implications, see ExSyn 252; M. J. Davidson, “Angels,” DJG, 9; W. G. MacDonald argues for “an angel” in both testaments: “Christology and ‘The Angel of the Lord’,” Current Issues in Biblical and Patristic Interpretation, 324-35.

[1:21]  17 tn Grk “you will call his name.”

[1:21]  18 sn The Greek form of the name Ihsous, which was translated into Latin as Jesus, is the same as the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua), which means “Yahweh saves” (Yahweh is typically rendered as “Lord” in the OT). It was a fairly common name among Jews in 1st century Palestine, as references to a number of people by this name in the LXX and Josephus indicate.

[1:23]  19 tn Grk “they will call his name.”

[1:23]  20 sn A quotation from Isa 7:14.

[1:23]  21 tn Grk “is translated.”

[1:23]  22 sn An allusion to Isa 8:8, 10 (LXX).

[1:24]  23 tn See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:20. Here the translation “the angel of the Lord” is used because the Greek article (, Jo) which precedes ἄγγελος (angelos) is taken as an anaphoric article (ExSyn 217-19) referring back to the angel mentioned in v. 20.

[1:25]  24 tn Or “did not have sexual relations”; Grk “was not knowing her.” The verb “know” (in both Hebrew and Greek) is a frequent biblical euphemism for sexual relations. However, a translation like “did not have sexual relations with her” is too graphic in light of the popularity and wide use of Matthew’s infancy narrative. Thus the somewhat more subdued but still clear “did not have marital relations” was selected.

[1:25]  25 tn Grk “and he called his name Jesus.” The coordinate clause has been translated as a relative clause in English for stylistic reasons.

[2:1]  26 map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

[2:1]  27 tn Grk “in the days.”

[2:1]  28 sn King Herod was Herod the Great, who ruled Palestine from 37 b.c. until he died in 4 b.c. He was known for his extensive building projects (including the temple in Jerusalem) and for his cruelty.

[2:1]  29 sn The Greek term magi here describes a class of wise men and priests who were astrologers (L&N 32.40).

[2:1]  30 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[2:2]  31 tn Or “in its rising,” referring to the astrological significance of a star in a particular portion of the sky. The term used for the “East” in v. 1 is ἀνατολαί (anatolai, a plural form that is used typically of the rising of the sun), while in vv. 2 and 9 the singular ἀνατολή (anatolh) is used. The singular is typically used of the rising of a star and as such should not normally be translated “in the east” (cf. BDAG 74 s.v. 1: “because of the sg. and the article in contrast to ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν, vs. 1, [it is] prob. not a geograph. expr. like the latter, but rather astronomical…likew. vs. 9”).

[2:3]  32 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.

[2:4]  33 tn Or “and scribes of the people.” The traditional rendering of γραμματεύς (grammateu") as “scribe” does not communicate much to the modern English reader, for whom the term might mean “professional copyist,” if it means anything at all. The people referred to here were recognized experts in the law of Moses and in traditional laws and regulations. Thus “expert in the law” comes closer to the meaning for the modern reader.

[2:4]  34 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

[2:6]  35 sn A quotation from Mic 5:2.

[2:7]  36 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.

[2:8]  37 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

[2:9]  38 tn Grk “and behold the star.”

[2:9]  39 tn See the note on the word “rose” in 2:2.

[2:10]  40 tn Grk “they rejoiced with very great joy.”

[2:11]  41 tn Grk “they fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”

[2:11]  42 sn Frankincense refers to the aromatic resin of certain trees, used as a sweet-smelling incense (L&N 6.212).

[2:11]  43 sn Myrrh consisted of the aromatic resin of certain shrubs (L&N 6.208). It was used in preparing a corpse for burial.

[2:12]  44 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.

[2:13]  45 tn Grk “behold, an angel.” 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).

[2:13]  46 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:20.

[2:13]  47 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1. Herod the Great was particularly ruthless regarding the succession to his throne.

[2:14]  48 tn The feminine singular genitive noun νυκτός (nuktos, “night”) indicates the time during which the action of the main verb takes place (ExSyn 124).

[2:15]  49 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.

[2:15]  50 sn A quotation from Hos 11:1.

[2:16]  51 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1. Note the fulfillment of the prophecy given by the angel in 2:13.

[2:16]  52 tn Or “soldiers.”

[2:16]  53 map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

[2:18]  54 tc The LXX of Jer 38:15 (31:15 ET) has “lamentation, weeping, and loud wailing”; most later mss (C D L W 0233 Ë13 33 Ï) have a quotation in Matthew which conforms to that of the LXX (θρῆνος καὶ κλαυθμός καὶ ὀδυρμός; qrhno" kai klauqmo" kai odurmo"). But such assimilations were routine among the scribes; as such, they typically should be discounted because they are both predictable and motivated. The shorter reading, without “lamentation and,” is thus to be preferred, especially since it cannot easily be accounted for unless it is the original wording here. Further, it is found in the better mss along with a good cross-section of other witnesses (א B Z 0250 Ë1 pc lat co).

[2:18]  55 tn Grk “are”; the Greek text uses a present tense verb.

[2:18]  56 sn A quotation from Jer 31:15.

[2:19]  57 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1. When Herod the Great died in 4 b.c., his kingdom was divided up among his three sons: Archelaus, who ruled over Judea (where Bethlehem was located, v. 22); Philip, who became tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis (cf. Luke 3:1); and Antipas, who became tetrarch of Galilee.

[2:19]  58 tn Grk “behold, an angel.” 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).

[2:19]  59 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:20.

[2:21]  60 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s instructions.

[2:22]  61 sn Archelaus took after his father Herod the Great in terms of cruelty and ruthlessness, so Joseph was afraid to go there. After further direction in a dream, he went instead to Galilee.

[2:22]  62 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.

[2:23]  63 sn Nazareth was a very small village in the region of Galilee (Galilee lay north of Samaria and Judea). The town was located about 15 mi (25 km) west of the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee. According to Luke 1:26, Mary was living in Nazareth when the birth of Jesus was announced to her.

[2:23]  64 tn There is no expressed subject of the third person singular verb here; the pronoun “he” is implied. Instead of this pronoun the referent “Jesus” has been supplied in the text to clarify to whom this statement refers.

[2:23]  65 tn The Greek could be indirect discourse (as in the text), or direct discourse (“he will be called a Nazarene”). Judging by the difficulty of finding OT quotations (as implied in the plural “prophets”) to match the wording here, it appears that the author was using a current expression of scorn that conceptually (but not verbally) found its roots in the OT.

[3:1]  66 tn Or “desert.”

[3:2]  67 tn Grk “and saying, ‘Repent.’” The participle λέγων (legwn) at the beginning of v. 2 is redundant in English and has not been translated.

[3:3]  68 tn Grk “was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying.” The participle λέγοντος (legonto") is redundant and has not been translated. The passive construction has also been rendered as active in the translation for the sake of English style.

[3:3]  69 tn Or “A voice.”

[3:3]  70 sn This call to “make paths straight” in this context is probably an allusion to preparation through repentance.

[3:3]  71 sn A quotation from Isa 40:3.

[3:4]  72 sn John’s lifestyle was in stark contrast to many of the religious leaders of Jerusalem who lived in relative ease and luxury. While his clothing and diet were indicative of someone who lived in the desert, they also depicted him in his role as God’s prophet (cf. Zech 13:4); his appearance is similar to the Prophet Elijah (2 Kgs 1:8). Locusts and wild honey were a common diet in desert regions, and locusts (dried insects) are listed in Lev 11:22 among the “clean” foods.

[3:5]  73 tn Grk “Then Jerusalem.”

[3:6]  74 tn Grk “they were being baptized by him.” The passive construction has been rendered as active in the translation for the sake of English style.

[3:7]  75 sn Pharisees were members of one of the most important and influential religious and political parties of Judaism in the time of Jesus. There were more Pharisees than Sadducees (according to Josephus, Ant. 17.2.4 [17.42] there were more than 6,000 Pharisees at about this time). Pharisees differed with Sadducees on certain doctrines and patterns of behavior. The Pharisees were strict and zealous adherents to the laws of the OT and to numerous additional traditions such as angels and bodily resurrection.

[3:7]  76 sn The Sadducees controlled the official political structures of Judaism at this time, being the majority members of the Sanhedrin. They were known as extremely strict on law and order issues (Josephus, J. W. 2.8.2 [2.119], 2.8.14 [2.164-166]; Ant. 13.5.9 [13.171-173], 13.10.6 [13.293-298], 18.1.2 [18.11], 18.1.4 [18.16-17], 20.9.1 [20.199]; Life 2 [10-11]). See also Matt 16:1-12; 22:23-34; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38; Acts 5:17; 23:6-8.

[3:8]  77 sn Fruit worthy of repentance refers to the deeds that indicate a change of attitude (heart) on the part of John’s hearers.

[3:8]  78 tn Grk “fruit worthy of.”

[3:10]  79 sn Laid at the root. That is, placed and aimed, ready to begin cutting.

[3:11]  80 tn Grk “of whom I am not worthy.”

[3:11]  81 sn With the Holy Spirit and fire. There are differing interpretations for this phrase regarding the number of baptisms and their nature. (1) Some see one baptism here, and this can be divided further into two options. (a) The baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire could refer to the cleansing, purifying work of the Spirit in the individual believer through salvation and sanctification, or (b) it could refer to two different results of Christ’s ministry: Some accept Christ and are baptized with the Holy Spirit, but some reject him and receive judgment. (2) Other interpreters see two baptisms here: The baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the salvation Jesus brings at his first advent, in which believers receive the Holy Spirit, and the baptism of fire refers to the judgment Jesus will bring upon the world at his second coming. One must take into account both the image of fire and whether individual or corporate baptism is in view. A decision is not easy on either issue. The image of fire is used to refer to both eternal judgment (e.g., Matt 25:41) and the power of the Lord’s presence to purge and cleanse his people (e.g., Isa 4:4-5). The pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost, a fulfillment of this prophecy no matter which interpretation is taken, had both individual and corporate dimensions. It is possible that since Holy Spirit and fire are governed by a single preposition in Greek, the one-baptism view may be more likely, but this is not certain. Simply put, there is no consensus view in scholarship at this time on the best interpretation of this passage.

[3:12]  82 sn A winnowing fork was a pitchfork-like tool used to toss threshed grain in the air so that the wind blew away the chaff, leaving the grain to fall to the ground. The note of purging is highlighted by the use of imagery involving sifting though threshed grain for the useful kernels.

[3:12]  83 tn Or “granary,” “barn” (referring to a building used to store a farm’s produce rather than a building to house livestock).

[3:12]  84 sn The image of fire that cannot be extinguished is from the OT: Job 20:26; Isa 34:8-10; 66:24.

[3:13]  85 tn “River” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for clarity.

[3:14]  86 tc ‡ The earliest mss (א* B sa) lack the name of John here (“but he tried to prevent him,” instead of “but John tried to prevent him”). It is, however, clearly implied (and is thus supplied in translation). Although the longer reading has excellent support (Ì96 א1 C Ds L W 0233 0250 Ë1,13 33 Ï lat[t] sy mae bo), it looks to be a motivated and predictable reading: Scribes apparently could not resist adding this clarification.

[3:14]  87 tn The imperfect verb has been translated conatively.

[3:15]  88 tn Grk “but Jesus, answering, said.” This construction with passive participle and finite verb is pleonastic (redundant) and has been simplified in the translation to “replied to him.”

[3:15]  89 tn Grk “Permit now.”

[3:15]  90 tn Grk “he”; the referent (John the Baptist) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[3:15]  91 tn Or “permitted him.”

[3:16]  92 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[3:16]  93 tn Grk “behold the heavens.” 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).

[3:16]  94 tn Or “sky.” The Greek word οὐρανός (ourano") may be translated “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The same word is used in v. 17.

[3:16]  95 tcαὐτῷ (autw, “to/before him”) is found in the majority of witnesses (א1 C Ds L W 0233 Ë1,13 33 Ï lat), perhaps added as a point of clarification or emphasis. NA27 includes the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

[3:16]  96 sn The phrase like a dove is a descriptive comparison. The Spirit is not a dove, but descended like one in some sort of bodily representation.

[3:17]  97 tn Grk “and behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated here.

[3:17]  98 tn Grk “behold, a voice from the cloud, saying.” This is an incomplete sentence in Greek which portrays intensity and emotion. The participle λέγουσα (legousa) was translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style.

[3:17]  99 tn Grk “my beloved Son,” or “my Son, the beloved [one].” The force of ἀγαπητός (agaphtos) is often “pertaining to one who is the only one of his or her class, but at the same time is particularly loved and cherished” (L&N 58.53; cf. also BDAG 7 s.v. 1).

[3:17]  100 tn Grk “in whom.”

[3:17]  101 tn Or “with whom I am well pleased.”

[4:1]  102 tn Or “desert.”

[4:2]  103 tn Grk “and having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward he was hungry.”

[4:3]  104 tn Grk “say that these stones should become bread.”

[4:4]  105 tn Grk “answering, he said.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqeis) is redundant, but the syntax of the phrase has been changed for clarity.

[4:4]  106 tn Or “a person.” Greek ὁ ἄνθρωπος (Jo anqrwpo") is used generically for humanity. The translation “man” is used because the emphasis in Jesus’ response seems to be on his dependence on God as a man.

[4:4]  107 tn Grk “will not live.” The verb in Greek is a future tense, but it is unclear whether it is meant to be taken as a command (also known as an imperatival future) or as a statement of reality (predictive future).

[4:4]  108 sn A quotation from Deut 8:3.

[4:5]  109 sn The order of the second and third temptations differs in Luke’s account (4:5-12) from the order given in Matthew.

[4:5]  110 tn Grk “and he stood him.”

[4:5]  111 sn The highest point of the temple probably refers to the point on the temple’s southeast corner where it looms directly over a cliff some 450 ft (135 m) high. However, some have suggested the reference could be to the temple’s high gate.

[4:6]  112 sn A quotation from Ps 91:11. This was not so much an incorrect citation as a use in a wrong context (a misapplication of the passage).

[4:6]  113 sn A quotation from Ps 91:12.

[4:7]  114 sn A quotation from Deut 6:16.

[4:8]  115 tn Grk “glory.”

[4:9]  116 tn Grk “if, falling down, you will worship.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”

[4:10]  117 tc The majority of later witnesses (C2 D L Z 33 Ï) have “behind me” (ὀπίσω μου; opisw mou) after “Go away.” But since this is the wording in Matt 16:23, where the text is certain, scribes most likely added the words here to conform to the later passage. Further, the shorter reading has superior support (א B C*vid K P W Δ 0233 Ë1,13 565 579* 700 al). Thus, both externally and internally, the shorter reading is strongly preferred.

[4:10]  118 sn A quotation from Deut 6:13. The word “only” is an interpretive expansion not found in either the Hebrew or Greek (LXX) text of the OT.

[4:11]  119 tn Grk “and behold, angels.” 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).

[4:12]  120 tn Grk “he.”

[4:12]  121 tn Or “arrested,” “taken into custody” (see L&N 37.12).

[4:13]  122 map For location see Map1 D3; Map2 C2; Map3 D5; Map4 C1; Map5 G3.

[4:13]  123 tn Grk “and leaving Nazareth, he came and took up residence in Capernaum.”

[4:13]  124 tn Or “by the lake.”

[4:14]  125 tn The redundant participle λέγοντος (legontos) has not been translated here.

[4:16]  126 sn A quotation from Isa 9:1.

[4:17]  127 tn Grk “and to say.”

[4:18]  128 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[4:18]  129 tn The two phrases in this verse placed in parentheses are explanatory comments by the author, parenthetical in nature.

[4:19]  130 tn The Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpos) is used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, thus “people.”

[4:20]  131 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[4:20]  132 sn The expression followed him pictures discipleship, which means that to learn from Jesus is to follow him as the guiding priority of one’s life.

[4:21]  133 tn Or “their boat.” The phrase ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ (en tw ploiw) can either refer to a generic boat, some boat (as it seems to do here); or it can refer to “their” boat, implying possession. Mark assumes a certain preunderstanding on the part of his readers about the first four disciples and hence the translation “their boat” is justified (cf. also v. 20 in which the “hired men” indicates that Zebedee’s family owned the boats), while Matthew does not.

[4:21]  134 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[4:22]  135 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[4:23]  136 tn Grk “And he.”

[4:23]  137 sn Synagogues were places for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (cf. Luke 8:41). Though the origin of the synagogue is not entirely clear, it seems to have arisen in the postexilic community during the intertestamental period. A town could establish a synagogue if there were at least ten men. In normative Judaism of the NT period, the OT scripture was read and discussed in the synagogue by the men who were present (see the Mishnah, m. Megillah 3-4; m. Berakhot 2).

[4:24]  138 tn Grk “And they”; “they” is probably an indefinite plural, referring to people in general rather than to the Syrians (cf. v. 25).

[4:24]  139 tn Grk “those who were moonstruck,” possibly meaning “lunatic” (so NAB), although now the term is generally regarded as referring to some sort of seizure disorder such as epilepsy (L&N 23.169; BDAG 919 s.v. σεληνιάζομαι).

[4:24]  140 tn The translation has adopted a different phrase order here than that in the Greek text. The Greek text reads, “People brought to him all who suffered with various illnesses and afflictions, those possessed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics.” Even though it is obvious that four separate groups of people are in view here, following the Greek word order could lead to the misconception that certain people were possessed by epileptics and paralytics. The word order adopted in the translation avoids this problem.

[4:25]  141 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated before each of the places in the list, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.

[4:25]  142 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[4:25]  143 tn “River” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for clarity. The region referred to here is sometimes known as Transjordan (i.e., “across the Jordan”).

[5:1]  144 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[5:1]  145 tn Or “up a mountain” (εἰς τὸ ὄρος, eis to oro").

[5:2]  146 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[5:2]  147 tn Grk “And opening his mouth he taught them, saying.” The imperfect verb ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) has been translated ingressively.

[5:3]  148 sn The term Blessed introduces the first of several beatitudes promising blessing to those whom God cares for. They serve as an invitation to come into the grace God offers.

[5:3]  149 sn The poor in spirit is a reference to the “pious poor” for whom God especially cares. See Ps 14:6; 22:24; 25:16; 34:6; 40:17; 69:29.

[5:3]  150 sn The present tense (belongs) here is significant. Jesus makes the kingdom and its blessings currently available. This phrase is unlike the others in the list with the possessive pronoun being emphasized.

[5:4]  151 sn The promise they will be comforted is the first of several “reversals” noted in these promises. The beatitudes and the reversals that accompany them serve in the sermon as an invitation to enter into God’s care, because one can know God cares for those who turn to him.

[5:6]  152 sn Those who hunger are people like the poor Jesus has already mentioned. The term has OT roots both in conjunction with the poor (Isa 32:6-7; 58:6-7, 9-10; Ezek 18:7, 16) or by itself (Ps 37:16-19; 107:9).

[5:9]  153 tn Grk “sons,” though traditionally English versions have taken this as a generic reference to both males and females, hence “children” (cf. KJV, NAB, NRSV, NLT).

[5:11]  154 tn Grk “when they insult you.” The third person pronoun (here implied in the verb ὀνειδίσωσιν [ojneidiswsin]) has no specific referent, but refers to people in general.

[5:11]  155 tc Although ψευδόμενοι (yeudomenoi, “bearing witness falsely”) could be a motivated reading, clarifying that the disciples are unjustly persecuted, its lack in only D it sys Tert does not help its case. Since the Western text is known for numerous free alterations, without corroborative evidence the shorter reading must be judged as secondary.

[5:13]  156 sn Salt was used as seasoning or fertilizer (BDAG 41 s.v. ἅλας a), or as a preservative. If salt ceased to be useful, it was thrown away. With this illustration Jesus warned about a disciple who ceased to follow him.

[5:13]  157 sn The difficulty of this saying is understanding how salt could lose its flavor since its chemical properties cannot change. It is thus often assumed that Jesus was referring to chemically impure salt, perhaps a natural salt which, when exposed to the elements, had all the genuine salt leached out, leaving only the sediment or impurities behind. Others have suggested that the background of the saying is the use of salt blocks by Arab bakers to line the floor of their ovens; under the intense heat these blocks would eventually crystallize and undergo a change in chemical composition, finally being thrown out as unserviceable. A saying in the Talmud (b. Bekhorot 8b) attributed to R. Joshua ben Chananja (ca. a.d. 90), when asked the question “When salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?” is said to have replied, “By salting it with the afterbirth of a mule.” He was then asked, “Then does the mule (being sterile) bear young?” to which he replied: “Can salt lose its flavor?” The point appears to be that both are impossible. The saying, while admittedly late, suggests that culturally the loss of flavor by salt was regarded as an impossibility. Genuine salt can never lose its flavor. In this case the saying by Jesus here may be similar to Matt 19:24, where it is likewise impossible for the camel to go through the eye of a sewing needle.

[5:15]  158 tn Grk “Nor do they light.” The plural in Greek is indefinite, referring to people in general.

[5:15]  159 tn Or “a bowl”; this refers to any container for dry material of about eight liters (two gallons) capacity. It could be translated “basket, box, bowl” (L&N 6.151).

[5:17]  160 tn Grk “not come to abolish but to fulfill.” Direct objects (“these things,” “them”) were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but have been supplied here to conform to contemporary English style.

[5:18]  161 tn Grk “For I tell.” Here an explanatory γάρ (gar) has not been translated.

[5:18]  162 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[5:18]  163 tn Grk “Not one iota or one serif.”

[5:19]  164 tn Grk “teaches men” ( in a generic sense, people).

[5:20]  165 tn Or “that of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

[5:20]  166 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[5:21]  167 tn Grk “to the ancient ones.”

[5:21]  168 sn A quotation from Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17.

[5:22]  169 tc The majority of mss read the word εἰκῇ (eikh, “without cause”) here after “brother.” This insertion has support from א2 D L W Θ 0233 Ë1,13 33 Ï it sy co Irlat Ormss Cyp Cyr. Thus the Western, Caesarean, and Byzantine texttypes all include the word, while the best Alexandrian and some other witnesses (Ì64 א* B 1424mg pc aur vg Or Hiermss) lack it. The ms evidence favors its exclusion, though there is a remote possibility that εἰκῇ could have been accidentally omitted from these witnesses by way of homoioarcton (the next word, ἔνοχος [enocos, “guilty”], begins with the same letter). An intentional change would likely arise from the desire to qualify “angry,” especially in light of the absolute tone of Jesus’ words. While “without cause” makes good practical sense in this context, and must surely be a true interpretation of Jesus’ meaning (cf. Mark 3:5), it does not commend itself as original.

[5:22]  170 tn Grk “whoever says to his brother ‘Raca,’” an Aramaic word of contempt or abuse meaning “fool” or “empty head.”

[5:22]  171 tn Grk “subjected,” “guilty,” “liable.”

[5:22]  172 tn Grk “the Sanhedrin.”

[5:22]  173 tn The meaning of the term μωρός (mwros) is somewhat disputed. Most take it to mean, following the Syriac versions, “you fool,” although some have argued that it represents a transliteration into Greek of the Hebrew term מוֹרֵה (moreh) “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20; cf. BDAG 663 s.v. μωρός c).

[5:22]  174 tn Grk “subjected,” “guilty,” “liable.”

[5:22]  175 tn Grk “the Gehenna of fire.”

[5:25]  176 tn Grk “Make friends.”

[5:25]  177 tn The words “to court” are not in the Greek text but are implied.

[5:25]  178 tn Grk “the accuser.”

[5:26]  179 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[5:26]  180 tn Here the English word “penny” is used as opposed to the parallel in Luke 12:59 where “cent” appears since the Greek word there is different and refers to a different but similar coin.

[5:27]  181 sn A quotation from Exod 20:14; Deut 5:17.

[5:29]  182 sn On this word here and in the following verse, see the note on the word hell in 5:22.

[5:31]  183 sn A quotation from Deut 24:1.

[5:33]  184 tn Grk “the ancient ones.”

[5:33]  185 sn A quotation from Lev 19:12.

[5:35]  186 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[5:37]  187 tn The term πονηροῦ (ponhrou) may be understood as specific and personified, referring to the devil, or possibly as a general reference to evil. It is most likely personified, however, since it is articular (τοῦ πονηροῦ, tou ponhrou). Cf. also “the evildoer” in v. 39, which is the same construction.

[5:38]  188 sn A quotation from Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20.

[5:39]  189 tn The articular πονηρός (ponhro", “the evildoer”) cannot be translated simply as “evil” for then the command would be “do not resist evil.” Every instance of this construction in Matthew is most likely personified, referring either to an evildoer (13:49) or, more often, “the evil one” (as in 5:37; 6:13; 13:19, 38).

[5:39]  190 tc ‡ Many mss (B D K L Δ Θ Ë13 565 579 700 1424 pm) have σου (sou) here (“your right cheek”), but many others lack the pronoun (א W Ë1 33 892 1241 pm). The pronoun was probably added by way of clarification. NA27 has σου in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.

[5:40]  191 tn Or “shirt” (a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin). The name for this garment (χιτών, citwn) presents some difficulty in translation. Most modern readers would not understand what a “tunic” was any more than they would be familiar with a “chiton.” On the other hand, attempts to find a modern equivalent are also a problem: “Shirt” conveys the idea of a much shorter garment that covers only the upper body, and “undergarment” (given the styles of modern underwear) is more misleading still. “Tunic” was therefore employed, but with a note to explain its nature.

[5:41]  192 sn If anyone forces you to go one mile. In NT times Roman soldiers had the authority to press civilians into service to carry loads for them.

[5:42]  193 sn Jesus advocates a generosity and a desire to meet those in dire need with the command give to the one who asks you. This may allude to begging; giving alms was viewed highly in the ancient world (Matt 6:1-4; Deut 15:7-11).

[5:42]  194 tn Grk “do not turn away from.”

[5:43]  195 sn A quotation from Lev 19:18.

[5:44]  196 tc Most mss ([D] L [W] Θ Ë13 33 Ï lat) read “bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you,” before “those who persecute you.” But this is surely a motivated reading, importing the longer form of this aphorism from Luke 6:27-28. The shorter text is found in א B Ë1 pc sa, as well as several fathers and versional witnesses.

[5:45]  197 tn Grk “be sons of your Father in heaven.” Here, however, the focus is not on attaining a relationship (becoming a child of God) but rather on being the kind of person who shares the characteristics of God himself (a frequent meaning of the Semitic idiom “son of”). See L&N 58.26.

[5:46]  198 sn The tax collectors would bid to collect taxes for the Roman government and then add a surcharge, which they kept. Since tax collectors worked for Rome, they were viewed as traitors to their own people and were not well liked.

[5:48]  199 sn This remark echoes the more common OT statements like Lev 19:2 or Deut 18:13: “you must be holy as I am holy.”

[6:1]  200 tc ‡ Several mss (א L Z Θ Ë1 33 892 1241 1424 al) have δέ (de, “but, now”) at the beginning of this verse; the reading without δέ is supported by B D W 0250 Ë13 Ï lat. A decision is difficult, but apparently the conjunction was added by later scribes to indicate a transition in the thought-flow of the Sermon on the Mount. NA27 has δέ in brackets, indicating reservations about its authenticity.

[6:1]  201 tn Grk “before people in order to be seen by them.”

[6:2]  202 tn Grk “give alms,” but this term is not in common use today. The giving of alms was highly regarded in the ancient world (Deut 15:7-11).

[6:2]  203 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:23.

[6:2]  204 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[6:4]  205 tc L W Θ 0250 Ï it read ἐν τῷ φανερῷ (en tw fanerw, “openly”) at the end of this verse, giving a counterweight to what is done in secret. But this reading is suspect because of the obvious literary balance, because of detouring the point of the passage (the focus of vv. 1-4 is not on two kinds of public rewards but on human vs. divine approbation), and because of superior external testimony that lacks this reading (א B D Z Ë1,13 33 al).

[6:5]  206 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:23.

[6:6]  207 sn The term translated room refers to the inner room of a house, normally without any windows opening outside, the most private location possible (BDAG 988 s.v. ταμεῖον 2).

[6:6]  208 tc See the tc note on “will reward you” in 6:4: The problem is the same and the ms support differs only slightly.

[6:7]  209 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[6:8]  210 tn Grk “So do not.” Here οὖν (oun) has not been translated.

[6:9]  211 sn Pray this way. What follows, although traditionally known as the Lord’s prayer, is really the disciples’ prayer. It represents how they are to approach God, by acknowledging his uniqueness and their need for his provision and protection.

[6:9]  212 sn God is addressed in terms of intimacy (Father). The original Semitic term here was probably Abba. The term is a little unusual in a personal prayer, especially as it lacks qualification. It is not the exact equivalent of “daddy” (as is sometimes popularly suggested), but it does suggest a close, familial relationship.

[6:9]  213 tn Grk “hallowed be your name.”

[6:10]  214 sn Your kingdom come represents the hope for the full manifestation of God’s promised rule.

[6:11]  215 tn Or “Give us bread today for the coming day,” or “Give us today the bread we need for today.” The term ἐπιούσιος (epiousio") does not occur outside of early Christian literature (other occurrences are in Luke 11:3 and Didache 8:2), so its meaning is difficult to determine. Various suggestions include “daily,” “the coming day,” and “for existence.” See BDAG 376-77 s.v.; L&N 67:183, 206.

[6:12]  216 tn Or “as even we.” The phrase ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς (Jw" kai Jhmei") makes ἡμεῖς emphatic. The translation above adds an appropriate emphasis to the passage.

[6:13]  217 tn Or “into a time of testing.”

[6:13]  218 tc Most mss (L W Θ 0233 Ë13 33 Ï sy sa Didache) read (though some with slight variation) ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ἀμήν (“for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen”) here. The reading without this sentence, though, is attested by generally better witnesses (א B D Z 0170 Ë1 pc lat mae Or). The phrase was probably composed for the liturgy of the early church and most likely was based on 1 Chr 29:11-13; a scribe probably added the phrase at this point in the text for use in public scripture reading (see TCGNT 13-14). Both external and internal evidence argue for the shorter reading.

[6:14]  219 tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used in a generic sense: “people, others.”

[6:16]  220 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[6:16]  221 tn Here the term “disfigure” used in a number of translations was not used because it could convey to the modern reader the notion of mutilation. L&N 79.17 states, “‘to make unsightly, to disfigure, to make ugly.’ ἀφανίζουσιν γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ‘for they make their faces unsightly’ Mt 6:16.”

[6:16]  222 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[6:17]  223 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[6:19]  224 tn The term σής (shs) refers to moths in general. It is specifically the larvae of moths that destroy clothing by eating holes in it (L&N 4.49; BDAG 922 s.v.). See Jas 5:2, which mentions “moth-eaten” clothing.

[6:21]  225 tn The pronouns in this verse are singular while the pronouns in vv. 19-20 are plural. The change to singular emphasizes personal responsibility as opposed to corporate responsibility; even if others do not listen, the one who hears Jesus’ commands should obey.

[6:21]  226 sn Seeking heavenly treasure means serving others and honoring God by doing so.

[6:22]  227 tn Or “sound” (so L&N 23.132 and most scholars). A few scholars take this word to mean something like “generous” here (L&N 57.107). partly due to the immediate context concerning money, in which case the “eye” is a metonymy for the entire person (“if you are generous”).

[6:23]  228 tn Or “if your eye is sick” (L&N 23.149).

[6:24]  229 sn The contrast between hate and love here is rhetorical. The point is that one will choose the favorite if a choice has to be made.

[6:24]  230 tn Or “and treat [the other] with contempt.”

[6:24]  231 tn Grk “God and mammon.”

[6:25]  232 tn Or “do not be anxious,” and so throughout the rest of this paragraph.

[6:26]  233 tn Grk “the birds of the sky” or “the birds of the heaven”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated either “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν).

[6:26]  234 tn Or “God gives them food to eat.” L&N 23.6 has both “to provide food for” and “to give food to someone to eat.”

[6:26]  235 tn Grk “of more value.”

[6:27]  236 tn Or “a cubit to his height.” A cubit (πῆχυς, phcu") can measure length (normally about 45 cm or 18 inches) or time (a small unit, “hour” is usually used [BDAG 812 s.v.] although “day” has been suggested [L&N 67.151]). The term ἡλικία (Jhlikia) is ambiguous in the same way as πῆχυς (phcus). Most scholars take the term to describe age or length of life here, although a few refer it to bodily stature (see BDAG 436 s.v. 3 for discussion). Worry about length of life seems a more natural figure than worry about height. However, the point either way is clear: Worrying adds nothing to life span or height.

[6:28]  237 tn Traditionally, “lilies.” According to L&N 3.32, “Though traditionally κρίνον has been regarded as a type of lily, scholars have suggested several other possible types of flowers, including an anemone, a poppy, a gladiolus, and a rather inconspicuous type of daisy.” In view of the uncertainty, the more generic “flowers” has been used in the translation.

[6:28]  238 tn Or, traditionally, “toil.” Although it might be argued that “work hard” would be a more precise translation of κοπιάω (kopiaw) here, the line in English reads better in terms of cadence with a single syllable.

[6:30]  239 tn Grk “grass of the field.”

[6:30]  240 tn Grk “into the oven.” The expanded translation “into the fire to heat the oven” has been used to avoid misunderstanding; most items put into modern ovens are put there to be baked, not burned.

[6:30]  241 sn The phrase even more is a typical form of rabbinic argumentation, from the lesser to the greater. If God cares for the little things, surely he will care for the more important things.

[6:32]  242 tn Or “unbelievers”; Grk “Gentiles.”

[6:33]  243 tc ‡ Most mss (L W Θ 0233 Ë1,13 33 Ï lat sy mae) read τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ (thn basileian tou qeou kai thn dikaiosunhn aujtou, “the kingdom of God and his righteousness”) here, but the words “of God” are lacking in א B pc sa bo Eus. On the one hand, there is the possibility of accidental omission on the part of these Alexandrian witnesses, but it seems unlikely that the scribe’s eye would skip over both words (especially since τοῦ θεοῦ is bracketed by first declension nouns). Intrinsically, the author generally has a genitive modifier with βασιλεία – especially θεοῦ or οὐρανῶν (ouranwn) – but this argument cuts both ways: Although he might be expected to use such an adjunct here, scribes might also be familiar with his practice and would thus naturally insert it if it were missing in their copy of Matthew. Although a decision is difficult, the omission of τοῦ θεοῦ is considered most likely to be original. NA27 includes the words in brackets, indicating doubt as to their authenticity.

[6:34]  244 tn Grk “Sufficient for the day is its evil.”

[7:1]  245 sn The point of the statement do not judge so that you will not be judged is that the standards we apply to others God applies to us. The passive verbs in this verse look to God’s action.

[7:2]  246 tn Grk “by [the measure] with which you measure it will be measured to you.”

[7:3]  247 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[7:3]  248 sn The term translated speck refers to a small piece of wood, chaff, or straw; see L&N 3.66.

[7:3]  249 tn Or “do not notice.”

[7:3]  250 sn The term beam of wood refers to a very big piece of wood, the main beam of a building, in contrast to the speck in the other’s eye (L&N 7.78).

[7:4]  251 tn Grk “how will you say?”

[7:6]  252 tn Or “otherwise the latter will trample them under their feet and the former will turn around and tear you to pieces.” This verse is sometimes understood as a chiasm of the pattern a-b-b-a, in which the first and last clauses belong together (“dogs…turn around and tear you to pieces”) and the second and third clauses belong together (“pigs…trample them under their feet”).

[7:7]  253 sn The three present imperatives in this verse (Ask…seek…knock) are probably intended to call for a repeated or continual approach before God.

[7:7]  254 tn Grk “it”; the referent (a door) is implied by the context and has been specified in the translation here and in v. 8 for clarity.

[7:8]  255 sn The actions of asking, seeking, and knocking are repeated here from v. 7 with the encouragement that God does respond.

[7:9]  256 tn Grk “Or is there.”

[7:10]  257 sn The two questions of vv. 9-10 expect the answer, “No parent would do this!”

[7:11]  258 tn The participle ὄντες (ontes) has been translated concessively.

[7:11]  259 sn The provision of the good gifts is probably a reference to the wisdom and guidance supplied in response to repeated requests. The teaching as a whole stresses not that we get everything we want, but that God gives the good that we need.

[7:12]  260 tn Grk “Therefore in.” Here οὖν (oun) has not been translated.

[7:12]  261 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.

[7:12]  262 sn Jesus’ teaching as reflected in the phrase treat others as you would want them to treat you, known generally as the Golden Rule, is not completely unique in the ancient world, but here it is stated in its most emphatic, selfless form.

[7:12]  263 tn Grk “is.”

[7:15]  264 sn Sheeps clothing…voracious wolves. Jesus uses a metaphor here to point out that these false prophets appear to be one thing, but in reality they are something quite different and dangerous.

[7:16]  265 tn Grk “They do not gather.” This has been simplified to the passive voice in the translation since the subject “they” is not specified further in the context.

[7:16]  266 sn The statement illustrates the principle: That which cannot produce fruit does not produce fruit.

[7:17]  267 tn Grk “rotten.” The word σαπρός, modifying “tree” in both v. 17 and 18, can also mean “diseased” (L&N 65.28).

[7:21]  268 sn The double use of the vocative is normally used in situations of high emotion or emphasis. Even an emphatic confession without action means little.

[7:22]  269 tn Grk “and in your name do.” This phrase was not repeated here in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[7:23]  270 tn Grk “workers of lawlessness.”

[7:24]  271 tn Grk “Therefore everyone.” Here οὖν (oun) has not been translated.

[7:24]  272 tn Grk “will be like.” The same phrase occurs in v. 26.

[7:24]  273 tn Here and in v. 26 the Greek text reads ἀνήρ (anhr), while the parallel account in Luke 6:47-49 uses ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") in vv. 48 and 49.

[7:25]  274 tn Grk “the rivers.”

[7:27]  275 tn Grk “and great was its fall.”

[7:28]  276 tn Grk “And it happened when.” The introductory phrase καὶ ἐγένετο (kai egeneto, “it happened that”) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

[7:29]  277 sn Jesus’ teaching impressed the hearers with the directness of its claim; he taught with authority. A study of Jewish rabbinic interpretation shows that it was typical to cite a list of authorities to make one’s point. Apparently Jesus addressed the issues in terms of his own understanding.

[7:29]  278 tn Or “their scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

[8:2]  279 tn Grk “And behold, a leper 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).

[8:2]  280 tn Grk “a leper approaching, bowed low before him, saying.”

[8:2]  281 tn This is a third class condition. The report portrays the leper making no presumptions about whether Jesus will heal him or not.

[8:3]  282 sn Touched. This touch would have rendered Jesus ceremonially unclean (Lev 14:46; also Mishnah, m. Nega’im 3.1; 11.1; 12.1; 13.6-12).

[8:4]  283 sn The command for silence was probably meant to last only until the cleansing took place with the priests and sought to prevent Jesus’ healings from becoming the central focus of the people’s reaction to him. See also 9:30, 12:16, 16:20, and 17:9 for other cases where Jesus asks for silence concerning him and his ministry.

[8:4]  284 tn Grk “gift.”

[8:4]  285 sn On the phrase bring the offering that Moses commanded see Lev 14:1-32.

[8:4]  286 tn Or “as an indictment against them.” The pronoun αὐτοῖς (autoi") may be a dative of disadvantage.

[8:5]  287 sn Capernaum was a town on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, 680 ft (204 m) below sea level. It was a major trade and economic center in the North Galilean region.

[8:5]  288 sn A centurion was a noncommissioned officer in the Roman army or one of the auxiliary territorial armies, commanding a centuria of (nominally) 100 men. The responsibilities of centurions were broadly similar to modern junior officers, but there was a wide gap in social status between them and officers, and relatively few were promoted beyond the rank of senior centurion. The Roman troops stationed in Judea were auxiliaries, who would normally be rewarded with Roman citizenship after 25 years of service. Some of the centurions may have served originally in the Roman legions (regular army) and thus gained their citizenship at enlistment. Others may have inherited it, like the apostle Paul did.

[8:5]  289 sn While in Matthew’s account the centurion came to him asking for help, Luke’s account (7:1-10) mentions that the centurion sent some Jewish elders as emissaries on his behalf.

[8:6]  290 tn Grk “and saying, ‘Lord.’” The participle λέγων (legwn) at the beginning of v. 6 is redundant in English and has not been translated.

[8:6]  291 tn The Greek term here is παῖς (pais), often used of a slave who was regarded with some degree of affection, possibly a personal servant (Luke 7:7 uses the more common term δοῦλος, doulos). See L&N 87.77.

[8:7]  292 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[8:8]  293 tn Grk “But answering, the centurion replied.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqeis) is redundant and has not been translated.

[8:9]  294 tn Grk “having soldiers under me.”

[8:9]  295 sn I say to this one ‘Go’ and he goes. The illustrations highlight the view of authority the soldier sees in the word of one who has authority. Since the centurion was a commander of a hundred soldiers, he understood what it was both to command others and to be obeyed.

[8:9]  296 tn Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times… in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v. 1). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος) in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

[8:9]  297 tn The word “it” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

[8:10]  298 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[8:10]  299 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[8:11]  300 tn Grk “and 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. The word “banquet” has been supplied to clarify for the modern reader the festive nature of the imagery. The banquet imagery is a way to describe the fellowship and celebration of being among the people of God at the end.

[8:11]  301 tn Grk “and Isaac and Jacob,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.

[8:12]  302 sn Weeping and gnashing of teeth is a figure for remorse and trauma, which occurs here because of exclusion from God’s promise.

[8:13]  303 tc ‡ Most mss read αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”) after “servant.” It is unlikely that the pronoun was accidentally overlooked by such diverse witnesses as א B 0250 0281 Ë1 33 latt. More likely is the probability that Western, Byzantine, and some other scribes added the word for clarification (so C L W Θ 0233 Ë13 Ï sy sa). NA27 has the pronoun in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

[8:14]  304 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[8:14]  305 tn Grk “having been thrown down.” The verb βεβλημένην (beblhmenhn) is a perfect passive participle of the verb βάλλω (ballw, “to throw”). This indicates the severity of her sickness.

[8:15]  306 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then.”

[8:16]  307 sn Note how the author distinguishes healing from exorcism here, implying that the two are not identical.

[8:17]  308 tn Grk “was fulfilled, saying.” The participle λέγοντος (legontos) is redundant and has not been translated.

[8:17]  309 sn A quotation from Isa 53:4.

[8:18]  310 tc ‡ Codex B and some Sahidic mss read simply ὄχλον (oclon, “crowd”), the reading that NA27 follows; the first hand of א, as well as Ë1 and a few others, has ὄχλους (oclous, “crowds”); other witnesses read πολὺν ὄχλον (polun oclon, “a large crowd”). But the reading most likely to be original seems to be πολλούς ὄχλους (pollou" oclou"). It is found in א2 C L Θ 0233 Ë13 33 Ï lat; it is judged to be superior on internal grounds (the possibility of accidental omission of πολλούς/πολύν in isolated witnesses) and, to a lesser extent, external grounds (geographically widespread, various texttypes). For reasons of English style, however, this phrase has been translated as “a large crowd.”

[8:18]  311 tn The phrase “of the lake” is not in the Greek text but is clearly implied; it has been supplied here for clarity.

[8:19]  312 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then.”

[8:19]  313 tn Or “a scribe.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

[8:19]  314 sn The statement I will follow you wherever you go is an offer to follow Jesus as a disciple, no matter what the cost.

[8:20]  315 tn Grk “the birds of the sky” or “the birds of the heaven”; the Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) may be translated either “sky” or “heaven,” depending on the context. The idiomatic expression “birds of the sky” refers to wild birds as opposed to domesticated fowl (cf. BDAG 809 s.v. πετεινόν).

[8:20]  316 sn Jesus’ reply is simply this: Does the man understand the rejection he will be facing? Jesus has no home in the world (the Son of Man has no place to lay his head).

[8:21]  317 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[8:21]  318 tc ‡ Most mss (C L W Θ 0250 Ë1,13 Ï lat sy mae bo) read αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”) here, but the earliest witnesses, א and B (along with 33 and a few others), lack it. The addition may have been a motivated reading to clarify whose disciples were in view. NA27 includes the pronoun in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.

[8:22]  319 sn There are several options for the meaning of Jesus’ reply Leave the dead to bury their own dead: (1) Recent research suggests that burial customs in the vicinity of Jerusalem from about 20 b.c. to a.d. 70 involved a reinterment of the bones a year after the initial burial, once the flesh had rotted away. At that point the son would have placed his father’s bones in a special box known as an ossuary to be set into the wall of the tomb. Thus Jesus could well be rebuking the man for wanting to wait around for as much as a year before making a commitment to follow him. In 1st century Jewish culture, to have followed Jesus rather than burying one’s father would have seriously dishonored one’s father (cf. Tobit 4:3-4). (2) The remark is an idiom (possibly a proverbial saying) that means, “The matter in question is not the real issue,” in which case Jesus was making a wordplay on the wording of the man’s (literal) request (see L&N 33.137). (3) This remark could be a figurative reference to various kinds of people, meaning, “Let the spiritually dead bury the dead.” (4) It could also be literal and designed to shock the hearer by the surprise of the contrast. Whichever option is preferred, it is clear that the most important priority is to follow Jesus.

[8:23]  320 sn A boat that held all the disciples would be of significant size.

[8:25]  321 tn The participle προσελθόντες (proselqonte") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[8:26]  322 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

[8:26]  323 tn Or “commanded” (often with the implication of a threat, L&N 33.331).

[8:26]  324 sn Who has authority over the seas and winds is discussed in the OT: Ps 104:3; 135:7; 107:23-30. When Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea he was making a statement about who he was.

[8:27]  325 tn It is difficult to know whether ἄνθρωποι (anqrwpoi) should be translated as “men” or “people” (in a generic sense) here. At issue is whether (1) only the Twelve were with Jesus in the boat, as opposed to other disciples (cf. v. 23), and (2) whether any of those other disciples would have been women. The issue is complicated further by the parallel in Mark (4:35-41), where the author writes (4:36) that other boats accompanied them on this journey.

[8:27]  326 tn Grk “the men were amazed, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) has been translated as a finite verb to make the sequence of events clear in English.

[8:27]  327 sn Jesus’ authority over creation raised a question for the disciples about his identity (What sort of person is this?). This verse shows that the disciples followed Jesus even though they did not know all about him yet.

[8:28]  328 tc The textual tradition here is quite complicated. A number of mss (B C [Δ] Θ al sys,p,h) read “Gadarenes,” which is the better reading here. Many other mss (א2 L W Ë1,13 Ï [syhmg] bo) have “Gergesenes.” Others (892c latt syhmg sa mae) have “Gerasenes,” which is the reading followed in Luke 8:26. The difference between Matthew and Luke may be due to uses of variant regional terms.

[8:29]  329 tn Grk “And behold, they cried out, saying.” 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). The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated.

[8:29]  330 tn Grk “what to us and to you?” (an idiom). The phrase τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί (ti Jhmin kai soi) is Semitic in origin, though it made its way into colloquial Greek (BDAG 275 s.v. ἐγώ). The equivalent Hebrew expression in the OT had two basic meanings: (1) When one person was unjustly bothering another, the injured party could say “What to me and to you?” meaning, “What have I done to you that you should do this to me?” (Judg 11:12, 2 Chr 35:21, 1 Kgs 17:18). (2) When someone was asked to get involved in a matter he felt was no business of his own, he could say to the one asking him, “What to me and to you?” meaning, “That is your business, how am I involved?” (2 Kgs 3:13, Hos 14:8). These nuances were apparently expanded in Greek, but the basic notions of defensive hostility (option 1) and indifference or disengagement (option 2) are still present. BDAG suggests the following as glosses for this expression: What have I to do with you? What have we in common? Leave me alone! Never mind! Hostility between Jesus and the demons is certainly to be understood in this context, hence the translation: “Leave us alone….”

[8:29]  331 sn There was an appointed time in which demons would face their judgment, and they seem to have viewed Jesus’ arrival on the scene as an illegitimate change in God’s plan regarding the time when their sentence would be executed.

[8:30]  332 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[8:31]  333 tn Grk “asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

[8:32]  334 tn Grk “And he said to them.”

[8:32]  335 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate a conclusion and transition in the narrative.

[8:33]  336 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[8:33]  337 tn Or “city.” But see the sn on “Gadarenes” in 8:28.

[8:34]  338 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. 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).

[8:34]  339 tn Or “city.”



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