Discovery BoxMatthew 11:7--16:20
Context11:7 While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness 1 to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 2 11:8 What 3 did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? 4 Look, those who wear fancy clothes are in the homes of kings! 5 11:9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more 6 than a prophet. 11:10 This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, 7
who will prepare your way before you.’ 8
11:11 “I tell you the truth, 9 among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least 10 in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. 11:12 From 11 the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. 12 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. 13 11:14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come. 11:15 The one who has ears had better listen! 14
11:16 “To 15 what should I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another, 16
11:17 ‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; 17
we wailed in mourning, 18 yet you did not weep.’
11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him, 20 a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors 21 and sinners!’ 22 But wisdom is vindicated 23 by her deeds.” 24
11:20 Then Jesus began to criticize openly the cities 25 in which he had done many of his miracles, because they did not repent. 11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! 26 Woe to you, Bethsaida! If 27 the miracles 28 done in you had been done in Tyre 29 and Sidon, 30 they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you! 11:23 And you, Capernaum, 31 will you be exalted to heaven? 32 No, you will be thrown down to Hades! 33 For if the miracles done among you had been done in Sodom, it would have continued to this day. 11:24 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom 34 on the day of judgment than for you!”
11:25 At that time Jesus said, 35 “I praise 36 you, Father, Lord 37 of heaven and earth, because 38 you have hidden these things from the wise 39 and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. 11:26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 40 11:27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. 41 No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides 42 to reveal him. 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 11:29 Take my yoke 43 on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 11:30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on a Sabbath. His 44 disciples were hungry, and they began to pick heads of wheat 45 and eat them. 12:2 But when the Pharisees 46 saw this they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is against the law to do on the Sabbath.” 12:3 He 47 said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry – 12:4 how he entered the house of God and they ate 48 the sacred bread, 49 which was against the law 50 for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests? 51 12:5 Or have you not read in the law that the priests in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are not guilty? 12:6 I 52 tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 12:7 If 53 you had known what this means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,’ 54 you would not have condemned the innocent. 12:8 For the Son of Man is lord 55 of the Sabbath.”
12:9 Then 56 Jesus 57 left that place and entered their synagogue. 58 12:10 A 59 man was there who had a withered 60 hand. And they asked Jesus, 61 “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” 62 so that they could accuse him. 12:11 He said to them, “Would not any one of you, if he had one sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, take hold of it and lift it out? 12:12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 12:13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and it was restored, 63 as healthy as the other. 12:14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, as to how they could assassinate 64 him.
12:15 Now when Jesus learned of this, he went away from there. Great 65 crowds 66 followed him, and he healed them all. 12:16 But he sternly warned them not to make him known. 12:17 This fulfilled what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet: 67
12:18 “Here is 68 my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I take great delight. 69
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
12:19 He will not quarrel or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
12:20 He will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a smoldering wick,
until he brings justice to victory.
12:21 And in his name the Gentiles 70 will hope.” 71
12:22 Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. Jesus 72 healed him so that he could speak and see. 73 12:23 All the crowds were amazed and said, “Could this one be the Son of David?” 12:24 But when the Pharisees 74 heard this they said, “He does not cast out demons except by the power of Beelzebul, 75 the ruler 76 of demons!” 12:25 Now when Jesus 77 realized what they were thinking, he said to them, 78 “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed, 79 and no town or house divided against itself will stand. 12:26 So if 80 Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 12:27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons 81 cast them 82 out? For this reason they will be your judges. 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God 83 has already overtaken 84 you. 12:29 How 85 else can someone enter a strong man’s 86 house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can thoroughly plunder the house. 87 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, 88 and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 89 12:31 For this reason I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, 90 but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 12:32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. 91 But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, 92 either in this age or in the age to come.
12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad 93 and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. 12:34 Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart. 12:35 The good person 94 brings good things out of his 95 good treasury, 96 and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury. 12:36 I 97 tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
12:38 Then some of the experts in the law 98 along with some Pharisees 99 answered him, 100 “Teacher, we want to see a sign 101 from you.” 12:39 But he answered them, 102 “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 12:40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish 103 for three days and three nights, 104 so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 12:41 The people 105 of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them 106 – and now, 107 something greater than Jonah is here! 12:42 The queen of the South 108 will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon – and now, 109 something greater than Solomon is here!
12:43 “When 110 an unclean spirit 111 goes out of a person, 112 it passes through waterless places 113 looking for rest but 114 does not find it. 12:44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the home I left.’ 115 When it returns, 116 it finds the house 117 empty, swept clean, and put in order. 118 12:45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there, so 119 the last state of that person is worse than the first. It will be that way for this evil generation as well!”
12:46 While Jesus 120 was still speaking to the crowds, 121 his mother and brothers 122 came and 123 stood outside, asking 124 to speak to him. 12:47 125 Someone 126 told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting 127 to speak to you.” 12:48 To the one who had said this, Jesus 128 replied, 129 “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” 12:49 And pointing 130 toward his disciples he said, “Here 131 are my mother and my brothers! 12:50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is 132 my brother and sister and mother.”
13:1 On that day after Jesus went out of the house, he sat by the lake. 13:2 And such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat to sit while 133 the whole crowd stood on the shore. 13:3 He 134 told them many things in parables, 135 saying: “Listen! 136 A sower went out to sow. 137 13:4 And as he sowed, some seeds 138 fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 13:5 Other 139 seeds fell on rocky ground 140 where they did not have much soil. They sprang up quickly because the soil was not deep. 141 13:6 But when the sun came up, they were scorched, and because they did not have sufficient root, they withered. 13:7 Other seeds fell among the thorns, 142 and they grew up and choked them. 143 13:8 But other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. 13:9 The one who has ears had better listen!” 144
13:10 Then 145 the disciples came to him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 13:11 He replied, 146 “You have been given 147 the opportunity to know 148 the secrets 149 of the kingdom of heaven, but they have not. 13:12 For whoever has will be given more, and will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 150 13:13 For this reason I speak to them in parables: Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear nor do they understand. 13:14 And concerning them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
‘You will listen carefully 151 yet will never understand,
you will look closely 152 yet will never comprehend.
13:15 For the heart of this people has become dull;
they are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes,
so that they would not see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’ 153
13:16 “But your eyes are blessed 154 because they see, and your ears because they hear. 13:17 For I tell you the truth, 155 many prophets and righteous people longed to see 156 what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
13:18 “So listen to the parable of the sower: 13:19 When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one 157 comes and snatches what was sown in his heart; 158 this is the seed sown along the path. 13:20 The 159 seed sown on rocky ground 160 is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. 13:21 But he has no root in himself and does not endure; 161 when 162 trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. 13:22 The 163 seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth 164 choke the word, 165 so it produces nothing. 13:23 But as for the seed sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands. He bears fruit, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” 166
13:24 He presented them with another parable: 167 “The kingdom of heaven is like a person who sowed good seed in his field. 13:25 But while everyone was sleeping, an enemy came and sowed weeds 168 among the wheat and went away. 13:26 When 169 the plants sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. 13:27 So the slaves 170 of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’ 13:28 He said, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So 171 the slaves replied, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them?’ 13:29 But he said, ‘No, since in gathering the weeds you may uproot the wheat with them. 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At 172 harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned, but then 173 gather 174 the wheat into my barn.”’”
13:31 He gave 175 them another parable: 176 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed 177 that a man took and sowed in his field. 13:32 It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest garden plant and becomes a tree, 178 so that the wild birds 179 come and nest in its branches.” 180
13:33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with 181 three measures 182 of flour until all the dough had risen.” 183
13:34 Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; he did not speak to them without a parable. 13:35 This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: 184
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will announce what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.” 185
13:36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 13:37 He 186 answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 13:38 The field is the world and the good seed are the people 187 of the kingdom. The weeds are the people 188 of the evil one, 13:39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 13:40 As 189 the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom everything that causes sin as well as all lawbreakers. 190 13:42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, 191 where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 192 The one who has ears had better listen! 193
13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, hidden in a field, that a person found and hid. Then because of joy he went and sold all that he had and bought that field.
13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 13:46 When he found a pearl of great value, he went out and sold everything he had and bought it.
13:47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea that caught all kinds of fish. 13:48 When it was full, they pulled it ashore, sat down, and put the good fish into containers and threw the bad away. 13:49 It will be this way at the end of the age. Angels will come and separate the evil from the righteous 13:50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, 194 where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13:51 “Have you understood all these things?” They replied, “Yes.” 13:52 Then he said to them, “Therefore every expert in the law 195 who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his treasure what is new and old.”
13:53 Now when 196 Jesus finished these parables, he moved on from there. 13:54 Then 197 he came to his hometown 198 and began to teach the people 199 in their synagogue. 200 They 201 were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? 13:55 Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother named Mary? 202 And aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 13:56 And aren’t all his sisters here with us? Where did he get all this?” 203 13:57 And so they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own house.” 13:58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.
14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch 204 heard reports about Jesus, 14:2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead! And because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.” 14:3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, 205 and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 14:4 because John had repeatedly told 206 him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 207 14:5 Although 208 Herod 209 wanted to kill John, 210 he feared the crowd because they accepted John as a prophet. 14:6 But on Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 14:7 so much that he promised with an oath 211 to give her whatever she asked. 14:8 Instructed by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 14:9 Although it grieved the king, 212 because of his oath and the dinner guests he commanded it to be given. 14:10 So 213 he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 14:11 His 214 head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 14:12 Then John’s 215 disciples came and took the body and buried it and went and told Jesus.
14:13 Now when Jesus heard this he went away from there privately in a boat to an isolated place. But when the crowd heard about it, 216 they followed him on foot from the towns. 217 14:14 As he got out he saw the large crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 14:15 When evening arrived, his disciples came to him saying, “This is an isolated place 218 and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 14:16 But he 219 replied, “They don’t need to go. You 220 give them something to eat.” 14:17 They 221 said to him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 14:18 “Bring them here to me,” he replied. 14:19 Then 222 he instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, 223 who in turn gave them to the crowds. 224 14:20 They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, twelve baskets full. 14:21 Not counting women and children, there were about five thousand men who ate.
14:22 Immediately Jesus 225 made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds. 14:23 And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 14:24 Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, 226 was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. 14:25 As the night was ending, 227 Jesus came to them walking on the sea. 228 14:26 When 229 the disciples saw him walking on the water 230 they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear. 14:27 But immediately Jesus 231 spoke to them: 232 “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 14:28 Peter 233 said to him, 234 “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.” 14:29 So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 14:30 But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, 235 “Lord, save me!” 14:31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 14:32 When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased. 14:33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
14:34 After they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 236 14:35 When the people 237 there recognized him, they sent word into all the surrounding area, and they brought all their sick to him. 14:36 They begged him if 238 they could only touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
15:1 Then Pharisees 239 and experts in the law 240 came from Jerusalem 241 to Jesus and said, 242 15:2 “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their 243 hands when they eat.” 244 15:3 He answered them, 245 “And why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? 15:4 For God said, 246 ‘Honor your father and mother’ 247 and ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’ 248 15:5 But you say, ‘If someone tells his father or mother, “Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,” 249 15:6 he does not need to honor his father.’ 250 You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition. 15:7 Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said,
15:8 ‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart 251 is far from me,
15:9 and they worship me in vain,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 252
15:10 Then he called the crowd to him and said, 253 “Listen and understand. 15:11 What defiles a person is not what goes into the mouth; it is what 254 comes out of the mouth that defiles a person.” 15:12 Then the disciples came to him and said, “Do you know that when the Pharisees 255 heard this saying they were offended?” 15:13 And he replied, 256 “Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 15:14 Leave them! They are blind guides. 257 If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, 258 both will fall into a pit.” 15:15 But Peter 259 said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 15:16 Jesus 260 said, “Even after all this, are you still so foolish? 15:17 Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and then passes out into the sewer? 261 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a person. 15:19 For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 15:20 These are the things that defile a person; it is not eating with unwashed hands that defiles a person.” 262
15:21 After going out from there, Jesus went to the region of Tyre 263 and Sidon. 264 15:22 A 265 Canaanite woman from that area came 266 and cried out, 267 “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is horribly demon-possessed!” 15:23 But he did not answer her a word. Then 268 his disciples came and begged him, 269 “Send her away, because she keeps on crying out after us.” 15:24 So 270 he answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 15:25 But she came and bowed down 271 before him and said, 272 “Lord, help me!” 15:26 “It is not right 273 to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” 274 he said. 275 15:27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, 276 “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 15:28 Then 277 Jesus answered her, “Woman, 278 your faith is great! Let what you want be done for you.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
15:29 When he left there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up a mountain, where he sat down. 15:30 Then 279 large crowds came to him bringing with them the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others. They 280 laid them at his feet, and he healed them. 15:31 As a result, the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and they praised the God of Israel.
15:32 Then Jesus called the 281 disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have already been here with me three days and they have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry since they may faint on the way.” 15:33 The disciples said to him, “Where can we get enough bread in this desolate place to satisfy so great a crowd?” 15:34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven – and a few small fish.” 15:35 After instructing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 15:36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks, he broke them and began giving them to the disciples, who then gave them to the crowds. 282 15:37 They 283 all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 15:38 Not counting children and women, 284 there were four thousand men who ate. 285 15:39 After sending away the crowd, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan. 286
16:1 Now when the Pharisees 287 and Sadducees 288 came to test Jesus, 289 they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 290 16:2 He 291 said, “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be fair weather, because the sky is red,’ 16:3 and in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, because the sky is red and darkening.’ 292 You know how to judge correctly the appearance of the sky, 293 but you cannot evaluate the signs of the times. 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then 294 he left them and went away.
16:5 When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. 16:6 “Watch out,” Jesus said to them, “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees 295 and Sadducees.” 296 16:7 So 297 they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “It is because we brought no bread.” 16:8 When Jesus learned of this, 298 he said, “You who have such little faith! 299 Why are you arguing 300 among yourselves about having no bread? 16:9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 16:10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you took up? 16:11 How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” 16:12 Then they understood that he had not told them to be on guard against the yeast in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
16:13 When 301 Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, 302 he asked his disciples, 303 “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 16:14 They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, 304 and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16:16 Simon Peter answered, 305 “You are the Christ, 306 the Son of the living God.” 16:17 And Jesus answered him, 307 “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood 308 did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven! 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades 309 will not overpower it. 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” 16:20 Then he instructed his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. 310
[11:7] 2 tn There is a debate as to whether one should read this figuratively (“to see someone who is easily blown over?”) or literally (Grk “to see the wilderness vegetation?… No, to see a prophet”). Either view makes good sense, but the following examples suggest the question should be read literally and understood to point to the fact that a prophet drew them to the desert.
[11:8] 3 tn Grk “But what.” Here ἀλλά (alla, a strong contrastive in Greek) produces a somewhat awkward sense in English, and has not been translated. The same situation occurs at the beginning of v. 9.
[11:8] 4 sn The reference to fancy clothes makes the point that John was not rich or powerful, in that he did not come from the wealthy classes.
[11:9] 5 tn John the Baptist is “more” because he introduces the one (Jesus) who brings the new era. The term is neuter, but may be understood as masculine in this context (BDAG 806 s.v. περισσότερος b).
[11:10] 7 tn Grk “before your face” (an idiom).
[11:10] 8 sn The quotation is primarily from Mal 3:1 with pronouns from Exod 23:20. Here is the forerunner who points the way to the arrival of God’s salvation. His job is to prepare and guide the people, as the cloud did for Israel in the desert.
[11:11] 9 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
[11:11] 10 sn After John comes a shift of eras. The new era is so great that the lowest member of it (the one who is least in the kingdom of God) is greater than the greatest one of the previous era.
[11:12] 11 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[11:12] 12 tn Or “the kingdom of heaven is forcibly entered and violent people take hold of it.” For a somewhat different interpretation of this passage, see the note on the phrase “urged to enter in” in Luke 16:16.
[11:13] 13 tn The word “appeared” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
[11:15] 15 tn The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8, 14:35).
[11:16] 17 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[11:16] 18 tn Grk “who call out to one another, saying.” The participle λέγουσιν (legousin) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[11:17] 19 sn ‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance…’ The children of this generation were making the complaint (see vv. 18-19) that others were not playing the game according to the way they played the music. John and Jesus did not follow “their tune.” Jesus’ complaint was that this generation wanted things their way, not God’s.
[11:17] 20 tn The verb ἐθρηνήσαμεν (eqrhnhsamen) refers to the loud wailing and lamenting used to mourn the dead in public in 1st century Jewish culture.
[11:18] 21 sn John the Baptist was too separatist and ascetic for some, and so he was accused of not being directed by God, but by a demon.
[11:19] 23 tn Grk “Behold a man.”
[11:19] 24 sn See the note on tax collectors in 5:46.
[11:19] 25 sn Neither were they happy with Jesus (the Son of Man), even though he was the opposite of John and associated freely with people like tax collectors and sinners. Either way, God’s messengers were subject to complaint.
[11:19] 26 tn Or “shown to be right.”
[11:19] 27 tc Most witnesses (B2 C D L Θ Ë1 33 Ï lat) have “children” (τέκνων, teknwn) here instead of “deeds” (ἔργων, ergwn), but since “children” is the reading of the parallel in Luke 7:35, scribes would be motivated to convert the less colorful “deeds” into more animate offspring of wisdom. Further, ἔργων enjoys support from א B* W (Ë13) as well as early versional and patristic support.
[11:20] 25 tn The Greek word here is πόλις (polis) which can be translated “city” or “town.” “Cities” was chosen here to emphasize the size of the places Jesus’ mentions in the following verses.
[11:21] 27 sn Chorazin was a town of Galilee that was probably fairly small in contrast to Bethsaida and is otherwise unattested. Bethsaida was declared a polis by the tetrarch Herod Philip, sometime after
[11:21] 28 tn This introduces a second class (contrary to fact) condition in the Greek text.
[11:21] 29 tn Or “powerful deeds.”
[11:21] 30 map For location see Map1 A2; Map2 G2; Map4 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.
[11:21] 31 sn Tyre and Sidon are two other notorious OT cities (Isa 23; Jer 25:22; 47:4). The remark is a severe rebuke, in effect: “Even the sinners of the old era would have responded to the proclamation of the kingdom, unlike you!”
[11:23] 29 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.
[11:23] 30 tn The interrogative particle introducing this question expects a negative reply.
[11:23] 31 sn In the OT, Hades was known as Sheol. It is the place where the unrighteous will reside (Luke 10:15; 16:23; Rev 20:13-14).
[11:24] 31 sn The allusion to Sodom, the most wicked of OT cities from Gen 19:1-29, shows that to reject the current message is even more serious, and will result in more severe punishment, than the worst sins of the old era. The phrase region of Sodom is in emphatic position in the Greek text.
[11:25] 33 tn Grk “At that time, answering, Jesus said.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.
[11:25] 35 sn The title Lord is an important name for God, showing his sovereignty, but it is interesting that it comes next to a reference to the Father, a term indicative of God’s care. The two concepts are often related in the NT; see Eph 1:3-6.
[11:25] 37 sn See 1 Cor 1:26-31.
[11:26] 35 tn Grk “for (to do) thus was well-pleasing before you,” BDAG 325 s.v. ἔμπροσθεν 1.b.δ; speaking of something taking place “before” God is a reverential way of avoiding direct connection of the action to him.
[11:27] 37 sn This verse has been noted for its conceptual similarity to teaching in John’s Gospel (10:15; 17:2). The authority of the Son and the Father are totally intertwined.
[11:27] 38 tn Or “wishes”; or “intends”; or “plans” (cf. BDAG 182 s.v. βούλομαι 2.b). Here it is the Son who has sovereignty.
[11:29] 39 sn A yoke is a wooden bar or frame that joins two animals like oxen or horses so that they can pull a wagon, plow, etc. together. Here it is used figuratively of the restrictions that a teacher or rabbi would place on his followers.
[12:1] 41 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[12:1] 42 tn Or “heads of grain.” While the generic term στάχυς (stacus) can refer to the cluster of seeds at the top of grain such as barley or wheat, in the NT the term is restricted to wheat (L&N 3.40; BDAG 941 s.v. 1).
[12:2] 43 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
[12:3] 45 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[12:4] 47 tc The Greek verb ἔφαγεν (efagen, “he ate”) is found in a majority of witnesses (Ì70 C D L W Θ Ë1,13 33 Ï latt sy co) in place of ἔφαγον (efagon, “they ate”), the wording found in א B pc. ἔφαγεν is most likely motivated by the parallels in Mark and Luke (both of which have the singular).
[12:4] 48 tn Grk “the bread of presentation.”
[12:4] 49 sn Jesus’ response to the charge that what his disciples were doing was against the law is one of analogy: “If David did it for his troops in a time of need, then so can I with my disciples.” Jesus is clear that on the surface there was a violation here. What is not as clear is whether he is arguing a “greater need” makes this permissible or that this was within the intention of the law all along.
[12:4] 50 sn See 1 Sam 21:1-6.
[12:6] 49 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[12:7] 51 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[12:7] 52 sn A quotation from Hos 6:6 (see also Matt 9:13).
[12:8] 53 tn The term “lord” is in emphatic position in the Greek text.
[12:9] 55 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[12:9] 56 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:9] 57 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:23.
[12:10] 57 tn Grk “And behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
[12:10] 58 sn Withered means the man’s hand was shrunken and paralyzed.
[12:10] 59 tn Grk “and they asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant and has not been translated. The referent of the pronoun (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:10] 60 sn The background for this is the view that only if life was endangered should one attempt to heal on the Sabbath (see the Mishnah, m. Shabbat 6.3; 12.1; 18.3; 19.2; m. Yoma 8.6).
[12:13] 59 sn The passive was restored points to healing by God. Now the question became: Would God exercise his power through Jesus, if what Jesus was doing were wrong? Note also Jesus’ “labor.” He simply spoke and it was so.
[12:15] 63 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[12:15] 64 tc א B pc lat read only πολλοί (polloi, “many”) here, the first hand of N reads ὄχλοι (ocloi, “crowds”), while virtually all the rest of the witnesses have ὄχλοι πολλοί (ocloi polloi, “great crowds”). In spite of the good quality of both א and B (especially in combination), and the testimony of the Latin witnesses, the longer reading is most likely correct; the shorter readings were probably due to homoioteleuton.
[12:17] 65 tn Grk “so that what was said by Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled, saying.” This final clause, however, is part of one sentence in Greek (vv. 15b-17) and is thus not related only to v. 16. The participle λέγοντος (legontos) is redundant and has not been translated.
[12:18] 67 tn Grk “Behold my servant.”
[12:18] 68 tn Grk “in whom my soul is well pleased.”
[12:21] 69 tn Or “the nations” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
[12:21] 70 sn Verses 18-21 are a quotation from Isa 42:1-4.
[12:22] 71 tn Grk “And he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:22] 72 tn Grk “demoniac, and he healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw.”
[12:24] 73 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
[12:24] 74 tn Grk “except by Beelzebul.”
[12:25] 75 tc The majority of
[12:25] 76 sn Jesus here demonstrated the absurdity of the thinking of the religious leaders who maintained that he was in league with Satan and that he actually derived his power from the devil. He first teaches (vv. 25-28) that if he casts out demons by the ruler of the demons, then in reality Satan is fighting against himself, with the result that his kingdom has come to an end. He then teaches (v. 29) about tying up the strong man to prove that he does not need to align himself with the devil because he is more powerful. Jesus defeated Satan at his temptation (4:1-11) and by his exorcisms he clearly demonstrated himself to be stronger than the devil. The passage reveals the desperate condition of the religious leaders, who in their hatred for Jesus end up attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan (a position for which they will be held accountable, 12:31-32).
[12:25] 77 tn Or “is left in ruins.”
[12:26] 77 tn This first class condition, the first of three “if” clauses in the following verses, presents the example vividly as if it were so. In fact, all three conditions in these verses are first class. The examples are made totally parallel. The expected answer is that Satan’s kingdom will not stand, so the suggestion makes no sense. Satan would not seek to heal.
[12:27] 79 sn Most read your sons as a reference to Jewish exorcists (cf. “your followers,” L&N 9.4), but more likely this is a reference to the disciples of Jesus themselves, who are also Jewish and have been healing as well (R. J. Shirock, “Whose Exorcists are they? The Referents of οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν at Matthew 12:27/Luke 11:19,” JSNT 46 [1992]: 41-51). If this is a reference to the disciples, then Jesus’ point is that it is not only him, but those associated with him whose power the hearers must assess. The following reference to judging also favors this reading.
[12:27] 80 tn The pronoun “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
[12:28] 81 sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus. It is a realm in which Jesus rules and to which those who trust him belong.
[12:28] 82 tn The phrase ἔφθασεν ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς (efqasen ef’ Juma") is quite important. Does it mean merely “approach” (which would be reflected in a translation like “has come near to you”) or actually “come upon” (as in the translation given above, “has already overtaken you,” which has the added connotation of suddenness)? Is the arrival of the kingdom merely anticipated or already in process? Two factors favor arrival over anticipation here. First, the prepositional phrase ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς (ef’ Jumas, “upon you”) in the Greek text suggests arrival (Dan 4:24, 28 Theodotion). Second, the following illustration in v. 29 looks at the healing as portraying Satan being overrun. So the presence of God’s authority has arrived. See also L&N 13.123 for the translation of φθάνω (fqanw) as “to happen to already, to come upon, to come upon already.”
[12:29] 83 tn Grk “Or how can.”
[12:29] 84 sn The strong man here pictures Satan.
[12:29] 85 sn Some see the imagery here as similar to Eph 4:7-10, although no opponents are explicitly named in that passage. Jesus has the victory over Satan. Jesus’ acts of healing mean that the war is being won and the kingdom is coming.
[12:30] 85 sn Whoever is not with me is against me. The call here is to join the victor. Failure to do so means that one is being destructive. Responding to Jesus is the issue.
[12:30] 86 sn For the image of scattering, see Pss. Sol. 17:18.
[12:31] 87 tn Grk “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men.”
[12:32] 89 tn Grk “it will be forgiven him.”
[12:32] 90 tn Grk “it will not be forgiven him.”
[12:33] 91 tn Grk “rotten.” The word σαπρός, modifying both “tree” and “fruit,” can also mean “diseased” (L&N 65.28).
[12:35] 93 tn The Greek text reads here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpos). The term is generic referring to any person.
[12:35] 94 tn Grk “the”; the Greek article has been translated here and in the following clause (“his evil treasury”) as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
[12:35] 95 sn The treasury here is a metaphorical reference to a person’s heart (cf. BDAG 456 s.v. θησαυρός 1.b and the parallel passage in Luke 6:45).
[12:36] 95 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[12:38] 97 tn Or “Then some of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
[12:38] 98 tn Grk “and Pharisees.” The word “some” before “Pharisees” has been supplied for clarification.
[12:38] 99 tn Grk “answered him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant, but the syntax of the sentence was changed to conform to English style.
[12:38] 100 sn What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.
[12:39] 99 tn Grk “But answering, he said to them.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.
[12:40] 101 tn Grk “large sea creature.”
[12:40] 102 sn A quotation from Jonah 1:17.
[12:41] 103 tn Grk “men”; the word here (ἀνήρ, anhr) usually indicates males or husbands, but occasionally is used in a generic sense of people in general, as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 1.a, 2).
[12:41] 104 tn Grk “at the preaching of Jonah.”
[12:42] 105 sn On the queen of the South see 1 Kgs 10:1-3 and 2 Chr 9:1-12, as well as Josephus, Ant. 8.6.5-6 (8.165-175). The South most likely refers to modern southwest Arabia, possibly the eastern part of modern Yemen, although there is an ancient tradition reflected in Josephus which identifies this geo-political entity as Ethiopia.
[12:43] 107 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[12:43] 108 sn Unclean spirit refers to an evil spirit.
[12:43] 109 tn Grk “man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females. This same use occurs in v. 45.
[12:43] 110 sn The background for the reference to waterless places is not entirely clear, though some Jewish texts suggest spirits must have a place to dwell, but not with water (Luke 8:29-31; Tob 8:3). Some suggest that the image of the desert or deserted cities as the places demons dwell is where this idea started (Isa 13:21; 34:14).
[12:43] 111 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
[12:44] 109 tn Grk “I will return to my house from which I came.”
[12:44] 111 tn The words “the house” are not in Greek but are implied.
[12:44] 112 sn The image of the house empty, swept clean, and put in order refers to the life of the person from whom the demon departed. The key to the example appears to be that no one else has been invited in to dwell. If an exorcism occurs and there is no response to God, then the way is free for the demon to return. Some see the reference to exorcism as more symbolic; thus the story’s only point is about responding to Jesus. This is possible and certainly is an application of the passage.
[12:45] 111 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the concluding point of the story.
[12:46] 113 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:46] 114 tn Grk “crowds, behold, his mother.” 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).
[12:46] 115 sn The issue of whether Jesus had brothers (siblings) has had a long history in the church. Epiphanius, in the 4th century, argued that Mary was a perpetual virgin and had no offspring other than Jesus. Others argued that these brothers were really cousins. Nothing in the text suggests any of this. See also John 7:3.
[12:46] 116 tn “His mother and brothers came and” is a translation of “behold, his mother and brothers came.”
[12:47] 115 tc A few ancient
[12:47] 116 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[12:48] 117 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[12:48] 118 tn Grk “And answering, he said to the one who had said this.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) at the beginning of the clause has not been translated.
[12:49] 119 tn Grk “extending his hand.”
[12:49] 120 tn Grk “Behold my mother and my brothers.”
[12:50] 121 tn The pleonastic pronoun αὐτός (autos, “he”) which precedes this verb has not been translated.
[13:2] 123 tn Grk “and all the crowd.” The clause in this phrase, although coordinate in terms of grammar, is logically subordinate to the previous clause.
[13:3] 125 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[13:3] 126 sn Though parables can contain a variety of figures of speech (cf. the remainder of chapter 13), many times they are simply stories that attempt to teach spiritual truth (which is unknown to the hearers) by using a comparison with something known to the hearers. In general, parables usually advance a single idea, though there may be many parts and characters in a single parable and subordinate ideas may expand the main idea further. The beauty of using the parable as a teaching device is that it draws the listener into the story, elicits an evaluation, and demands a response.
[13:3] 128 sn A sower went out to sow. The background for this well-known parable, drawn from a typical scene in the Palestinian countryside, is a field through which a well-worn path runs. Sowing would occur in late fall or early winter (October to December) in the rainy season, looking for sprouting in April or May and a June harvest. The use of seed as a figure for God’s giving life has OT roots (Isa 55:10-11). The point of the parable of the sower is to illustrate the various responses to the message of the kingdom of God.
[13:4] 127 tn In Matthew’s version of this parable, plural pronouns are used to refer to the seed in v. 4 (ἅ…αὐτά [Ja…auta]), although the collective singular is used in v. 5 and following (indicated by the singular verbs like ἔπεσεν [epesen]). For the sake of consistency in English, plural pronouns referring to the seed are used in the translation throughout the Matthean account. In both Mark and Luke the collective singular is used consistently throughout (cf. Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-8).
[13:5] 129 tn Here and in vv. 7 and 8 δέ (de) has not been translated.
[13:5] 130 sn The rocky ground in Palestine would be a limestone base lying right under the soil.
[13:5] 131 tn Grk “it did not have enough depth of earth.”
[13:7] 131 sn Palestinian weeds like these thorns could grow up to six feet in height and have a major root system.
[13:7] 132 sn That is, crowded out the good plants.
[13:9] 133 tn The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15, 13:43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8, 14:35).
[13:10] 135 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[13:11] 137 tn Grk “And answering, he said to them.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[13:11] 138 tn This is an example of a “divine passive,” with God understood to be the source of the revelation (see ExSyn 437-38).
[13:11] 139 tn Grk “to you it has been given to know.” The dative pronoun occurs first, in emphatic position in the Greek text, although this position is awkward in contemporary English.
[13:11] 140 tn Grk “the mysteries.”
[13:12] 139 sn What he has will be taken from him. The meaning is that the one who accepts Jesus’ teaching concerning his person and the kingdom will receive a share in the kingdom now and even more in the future, but for the one who rejects Jesus’ words, the opportunity that that person presently possesses with respect to the kingdom will someday be taken away forever.
[13:14] 141 tn Grk “with hearing,” a cognate dative that intensifies the action of the main verb “you will listen” (ExSyn 168-69).
[13:14] 142 tn Grk “look by looking.” The participle is redundant, functioning to intensify the force of the main verb.
[13:15] 143 sn A quotation from Isa 6:9-10. Thus parables both conceal or reveal depending on whether one is open to hearing what they teach.
[13:16] 145 sn This beatitude highlights the great honor bestowed on the disciples to share in this salvation.
[13:17] 147 tn Grk “truly (ἀμήν, amhn) I say to you.”
[13:17] 148 sn This is what past prophets and righteous people had wanted very much to see, yet the fulfillment had come to the disciples. This remark is like 1 Pet 1:10-12 or Heb 1:1-2.
[13:19] 149 sn Interestingly, the synoptic parallels each use a different word for Satan here: Mark 4:15 has “Satan,” while Luke 8:12 has “the devil.” This illustrates the fluidity of the gospel tradition in often using synonyms at the same point of the parallel tradition.
[13:19] 150 sn The word of Jesus has the potential to save if it germinates in a person’s heart, something the devil is very much against.
[13:20] 151 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[13:20] 152 tn Grk “The one sown on rocky ground, this is the one.” The next two statements like this one have this same syntactical structure.
[13:21] 153 tn Grk “is temporary.”
[13:21] 154 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[13:22] 155 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[13:22] 156 tn Grk “the deceitfulness of riches.” Cf. BDAG 99 s.v. ἀπάτη 1, “the seduction which comes from wealth.”
[13:22] 157 sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.
[13:23] 157 tn The Greek is difficult to translate because it switches from a generic “he” to three people within this generic class (thus, something like: “Who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one instance a hundred times, in another, sixty times, in another, thirty times”).
[13:24] 159 tn Grk “He set before them another parable, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant and has not been translated.
[13:25] 161 tn Grk “sowed darnel.” The Greek term ζιζάνιον (zizanion) refers to an especially undesirable weed that looks like wheat but has poisonous seeds (L&N 3.30).
[13:26] 163 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[13:27] 165 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.
[13:28] 167 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the owner’s statement.
[13:30] 169 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[13:30] 171 tn Grk “burned, but gather.”
[13:31] 171 tn Grk “put before.”
[13:31] 172 tn Grk “He set before them another parable, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant and has not been translated.
[13:31] 173 sn The mustard seed was noted for its tiny size.
[13:32] 173 sn This is rhetorical hyperbole, since technically a mustard plant is not a tree. This could refer to one of two types of mustard plant popular in Palestine and would be either ten or twenty-five ft (3 or 7.5 m) tall.
[13:32] 174 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).
[13:32] 175 sn The point of the parable seems to be that while the kingdom of God may appear to have insignificant and unnoticeable beginnings (i.e., in the ministry of Jesus), it will someday (i.e., at the second advent) be great and quite expansive. The kingdom, however, is not to be equated with the church, but rather the church is an expression of the kingdom. Also, there is important OT background in the image of the mustard seed that grew and became a tree: Ezek 17:22-24 pictures the reemergence of the Davidic house where people can find calm and shelter. Like the mustard seed, it would start out small but grow to significant size.
[13:33] 176 sn This measure was a saton, the Greek name for the Hebrew term “seah.” Three of these was a very large quantity of flour, since a saton is a little over 16 pounds (7 kg) of dry measure (or 13.13 liters). So this was over 47 lbs (21 kg) of flour total, enough to feed over a hundred people.
[13:33] 177 tn Grk “it was all leavened.”
[13:35] 177 tc A few important
[13:35] 178 sn A quotation from Ps 78:2.
[13:37] 179 tn Grk “And answering, he said.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[13:38] 181 tn Grk “the sons of the kingdom.” This idiom refers to people who should properly be, or were traditionally regarded as, a part of God’s kingdom. L&N 11.13 translates the phrase: “people of God’s kingdom, God’s people.”
[13:38] 182 tn Grk “the sons of the evil one.” See the preceding note on the phrase “people of the kingdom” earlier in this verse, which is the opposite of this phrase. See also L&N 9.4; 11.13; 11.14.
[13:40] 183 tn Grk “Therefore as.” Here οὖν (oun) has not been translated.
[13:41] 185 tn Grk “the ones who practice lawlessness.”
[13:42] 187 sn A quotation from Dan 3:6.
[13:43] 189 sn An allusion to Dan 12:3.
[13:43] 190 tn The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15, 13:9; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8, 14:35).
[13:50] 191 sn An allusion to Dan 3:6.
[13:52] 193 tn Or “every scribe.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4. It is possible that the term translated “expert in the law” (traditionally, “scribe”) here is a self-description used by the author, Matthew, to represent his role in conveying the traditions about Jesus to his intended audience. See David E. Orton, The Understanding Scribe [JSNTSup].
[13:53] 195 tn Grk “Now it happened that when.” The introductory phrase καὶ ἐγένετο (kai egeneto, “it happened that”) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[13:54] 197 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “Then.”
[13:54] 198 sn Jesus’ hometown (where he spent his childhood years) was Nazareth, about 20 miles (30 km) southwest of Capernaum.
[13:54] 199 tn Grk “them”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[13:54] 200 sn See the note on synagogues in 4:23. Jesus undoubtedly took the opportunity on this occasion to speak about his person and mission, and the relation of both to OT fulfillment.
[13:54] 201 tn Grk “synagogue, so that they.” Here ὥστε (Jwste) has not been translated. Instead a new sentence was started in the translation.
[13:55] 199 sn The reference to Jesus as the carpenter’s son is probably derogatory, indicating that they knew Jesus only as a common laborer like themselves. The reference to his mother…Mary (even though Jesus’ father was probably dead by this point) appears to be somewhat derogatory, for a man was not regarded as his mother’s son in Jewish usage unless an insult was intended (cf. Judg 11:1-2; John 4:41; 8:41; 9:29).
[13:56] 201 tn Grk “Where did he get these things?”
[14:1] 203 sn A tetrarch, a ruler with rank and authority lower than a king, ruled only with the approval of the Roman authorities. This was roughly equivalent to being governor of a region. Several times in the NT, Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, is called a king (Matt 14:9, Mark 6:14-29), reflecting popular usage rather than an official title.
[14:3] 205 tc ‡ Most witnesses (א2 C D L W Z Θ 0106 Ë1,13 33 Ï lat) read αὐτόν (auton, “him”) here as a way of clarifying the direct object; various important witnesses lack the word, however (א* B 700 pc ff1 h q). The original wording most likely lacked it, but it has been included here due to English style. NA27 includes the word in brackets, indicating reservations about its authenticity.
[14:4] 207 tn The imperfect tense verb is here rendered with an iterative force.
[14:4] 208 sn This marriage of Herod to his brother Philip’s wife was a violation of OT law (Lev 18:16; 20:21). In addition, both Herod Antipas and Herodias had each left marriages to enter into this union.
[14:5] 209 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[14:5] 210 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Herod) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[14:5] 211 tn Grk “him” (also in the following phrase, Grk “accepted him”); in both cases the referent (John) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[14:7] 211 tn The Greek text reads here ὁμολογέω (Jomologew); though normally translated “acknowledge, confess,” BDAG (708 s.v. 1) lists “assure, promise with an oath” for certain contexts such as here.
[14:9] 213 tn Grk “and being grieved, the king commanded.”
[14:10] 215 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.
[14:11] 217 tn Grk “And his”; the referent (John the Baptist) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[14:12] 219 tn Grk “his”; the referent (John) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has been translated as “Then.”
[14:13] 221 tn The word “it” is not in the Greek text but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
[14:15] 223 tn Or “a desert” (meaning a deserted or desolate area with sparse vegetation).
[14:16] 225 tc ‡ The majority of witnesses read ᾿Ιησοῦς (Ihsous, “Jesus”) here, perhaps to clarify the subject. Although only a few Greek
[14:16] 226 tn Here the pronoun ὑμεῖς (Jumeis) is used, making “you” in the translation emphatic.
[14:17] 227 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[14:19] 229 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “Then.”
[14:19] 230 tn Grk “And after instructing the crowds to recline for a meal on the grass, after taking the five loaves and the two fish, after looking up to heaven, he gave thanks, and after breaking the loaves he gave them to the disciples.” Although most of the participles are undoubtedly attendant circumstance, there are but two indicative verbs – “he gave thanks” and “he gave.” The structure of the sentence thus seems to focus on these two actions and has been translated accordingly.
[14:19] 231 tn Grk “to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowds.”
[14:22] 231 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[14:24] 233 tn Grk “The boat was already many stades from the land.” A stade (στάδιον, stadion) was a unit of distance about 607 feet (187 meters) long.
[14:25] 235 tn Grk “In the fourth watch of the night,” that is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
[14:25] 236 tn Or “on the lake.”
[14:26] 237 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[14:26] 238 tn Grk “on the sea”; or “on the lake.” The translation “water” has been used here for stylistic reasons (cf. the same phrase in v. 25).
[14:27] 239 tc Most witnesses have ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς (Jo Ihsous, “Jesus”), while a few lack the words (א* D 073 892 pc ff1 syc sa bo). Although such additions are often suspect (due to liturgical influences, piety, or for the sake of clarity), in this case it is likely that ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς dropped out accidentally. Apart from a few albeit important witnesses, as noted above, the rest of the tradition has either ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς αὐτοῖς (Jo Ihsous autois) or αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς (autois Jo Ihsous). In uncial letters, with Jesus’ name as a nomen sacrum, this would have been written as autoisois_ or ois_autois. Thus homoioteleuton could explain the reason for the omission of Jesus’ name.
[14:27] 240 tn Grk “he said to them, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant and has not been translated.
[14:28] 241 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[14:28] 242 tn Grk “answering him, Peter said.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqeis) is redundant and has not been translated.
[14:30] 243 tn Grk “he cried out, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant and has not been translated.
[14:34] 245 sn Gennesaret was a fertile plain south of Capernaum (see also Mark 6:53). The Sea of Galilee was also sometimes known as the Sea of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1).
[14:35] 247 tn Grk “men”; the word here (ἀνήρ, anhr) usually indicates males or husbands, but occasionally is used in a generic sense of people in general, as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 1.a, 2).
[14:36] 249 tn Grk “asked that they might touch.”
[15:1] 251 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
[15:1] 252 tn Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
[15:1] 253 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[15:1] 254 tn The participle λέγοντες (legontes) has been translated as a finite verb so that its telic (i.e., final or conclusive) force can be more easily detected: The Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus in order to speak with him.
[15:2] 253 tc ‡ Although most witnesses read the genitive plural pronoun αὐτῶν (autwn, “their”), it may have been motivated by clarification (as it is in the translation above). Several other authorities do not have the pronoun, however (א B Δ 073 Ë1 579 700 892 1424 pc f g1); the lack of an unintentional oversight as the reason for omission strengthens their combined testimony in this shorter reading. NA27 has the pronoun in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.
[15:2] 254 tn Grk “when they eat bread.”
[15:3] 255 tn Grk “But answering, he said to them.”
[15:4] 257 tc Most
[15:4] 258 sn A quotation from Exod 20:12; Deut 5:16.
[15:4] 259 sn A quotation from Exod 21:17; Lev 20:9.
[15:5] 259 tn Grk “is a gift,” that is, something dedicated to God.
[15:6] 261 tc The logic of v. 5 would seem to demand that both father and mother are in view in v. 6. Indeed, the majority of
[15:8] 263 tn The term “heart” is a collective singular in the Greek text.
[15:9] 265 sn A quotation from Isa 29:13.
[15:10] 267 tn Grk “And calling the crowd, he said to them.” The participle προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesamenos) has been translated as attendant circumstance. The emphasis here is upon Jesus’ speaking to the crowd.
[15:11] 269 tn Grk “but what.”
[15:12] 271 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
[15:13] 273 tn Grk “And answering, he said.”
[15:14] 275 tc ‡ Most
[15:14] 276 tn Grk “If blind leads blind.”
[15:15] 277 tn Grk “And answering, Peter said to him.” This construction is somewhat redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation.
[15:16] 279 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[15:17] 281 tn Or “into the latrine.”
[15:20] 283 tn Grk “but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”
[15:21] 285 map For location see Map1 A2; Map2 G2; Map4 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.
[15:21] 286 map For location see Map1 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.
[15:22] 287 tn Grk “And behold a Canaanite.” 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).
[15:22] 288 tn Grk The participle ἐξελθοῦσα (exelqousa) is here translated as a finite verb. The emphasis is upon her crying out to Jesus.
[15:22] 289 tn Grk “cried out, saying.” The participle λέγουσα (legousa) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[15:23] 289 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “Then.”
[15:23] 290 tn Grk “asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.
[15:24] 291 tn Grk “And answering, he said.” The construction in Greek is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the disciples’ request.
[15:25] 293 tn In this context the verb προσκυνέω (proskunew), which often describes worship, probably means simply bowing down to the ground in an act of reverence or supplication (see L&N 17.21).
[15:25] 294 tn Grk “she bowed down to him, saying.”
[15:26] 295 tn Grk “And answering, he said, ‘It is not right.’” The introductory phrase “answering, he said” has been simplified and placed at the end of the English sentence for stylistic reasons. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[15:26] 296 tn Or “lap dogs, house dogs,” as opposed to dogs on the street. The diminutive form originally referred to puppies or little dogs, then to house pets. In some Hellenistic uses κυνάριον (kunarion) simply means “dog.”
[15:26] 297 tn Grk “And answering, he said.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqeis) is redundant and has not been translated.
[15:27] 297 tn Grk “she said.”
[15:28] 299 tn Grk “Then answering, Jesus said to her.” This expression has been simplified in the translation.
[15:28] 300 sn Woman was a polite form of address (see BDAG 208-9 s.v. γυνή 1), similar to “Madam” or “Ma’am” used in English in different regions.
[15:30] 301 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “Then.”
[15:30] 302 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[15:32] 303 tc ‡ Although the external evidence is not great (א W Θ 700 pc), the internal evidence for the omission of αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”) after “disciples” is fairly strong. The pronoun may have been added by way of clarification. NA27, however, includes the pronoun, on the basis of the much stronger external evidence.
[15:36] 305 tn Grk “was giving them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowd.”
[15:37] 307 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
[15:38] 309 tc ‡ Although most witnesses (B C L W Ë13 33 Ï f sys,p,h mae) read “women and children” instead of “children and women,” it is likely that the majority’s reading is a harmonization to Matt 14:21. “Children and women” is found in early and geographically widespread witnesses (e.g., א D [Θ Ë1] 579 lat syc sa bo), and has more compelling internal arguments on its side, suggesting that this is the original reading. NA27, however, agrees with the majority of witnesses.
[15:38] 310 tn Grk “And those eating were four thousand men, apart from children and women.”
[15:39] 311 sn Magadan was a place along the Sea of Galilee, the exact location of which is uncertain.
[16:1] 313 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
[16:1] 314 sn See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.
[16:1] 315 tn The object of the participle πειράζοντες (peirazontes) is not given in the Greek text but has been supplied here for clarity.
[16:1] 316 sn What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.
[16:2] 315 tn Grk “But answering, he said to them.” The construction has been simplified in the translation and δέ (de) has not been translated.
[16:3] 317 tn Or “red and gloomy” (L&N 14.56).
[16:3] 318 tn Grk “The face of the sky you know how to discern.”
[16:4] 319 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
[16:6] 321 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.
[16:6] 322 sn See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.
[16:7] 323 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ saying about the Pharisees and Sadducees.
[16:8] 325 tn Or “becoming aware of it.”
[16:8] 326 tn Grk “Those of little faith.”
[16:8] 327 tn Or “discussing.”
[16:13] 327 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
[16:13] 328 map For location see Map1 C1; Map2 F4.
[16:13] 329 tn Grk “he asked his disciples, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant and has been left untranslated.
[16:14] 329 sn The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.
[16:16] 331 tn Grk “And answering, Simon Peter said.”
[16:16] 332 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
[16:17] 333 tn Grk “answering, Jesus said to him.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqeis) is redundant, but the syntax of this phrase has been modified for clarity.
[16:17] 334 tn The expression “flesh and blood” could refer to “any human being” (so TEV, NLT; cf. NIV “man”), but it could also refer to Peter himself (i.e., his own intuition; cf. CEV “You didn’t discover this on your own”). Because of the ambiguity of the referent, the phrase “flesh and blood” has been retained in the translation.
[16:18] 335 tn Or “and the power of death” (taking the reference to the gates of Hades as a metonymy).
[16:20] 337 tc Most
