Mark 12:38-40
New English Translation
Warnings About Experts in the Law
38 In his teaching Jesus[a] also said, “Watch out for the experts in the law.[b] They like walking[c] around in long robes and elaborate greetings[d] in the marketplaces,[e] 39 and the best seats in the synagogues[f] and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They[g] devour widows’ property,[h] and as a show make long prayers. These men will receive a more severe punishment.”
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- Mark 12:38 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Mark 12:38 tn Or “for the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.
- Mark 12:38 tn In Greek this is the only infinitive in vv. 38-39. It would be awkward in English to join an infinitive to the following noun clauses, so this has been translated as a gerund.
- Mark 12:38 sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.
- Mark 12:38 sn See the note on marketplaces in Mark 6:56.
- Mark 12:39 sn See the note on synagogue in 1:21.
- Mark 12:40 tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 38.
- Mark 12:40 tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).
Luke 14:7-11
New English Translation
On Seeking Seats of Honor
7 Then[a] when Jesus[b] noticed how the guests[c] chose the places of honor,[d] he told them a parable. He said to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast,[e] do not take[f] the place of honor, because a person more distinguished than you may have been invited by your host.[g] 9 So[h] the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your place.’ Then, ashamed,[i] you will begin to move to the least important[j] place. 10 But when you are invited, go and take the least important place, so that when your host[k] approaches he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up here to a better place.’[l] Then you will be honored in the presence of all who share the meal with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but[m] the one who humbles[n] himself will be exalted.”
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- Luke 14:7 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
- Luke 14:7 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Luke 14:7 tn Grk “those who were invited.”
- Luke 14:7 tn Or “the best places.” The “places of honor” at the meal would be those closest to the host.
- Luke 14:8 tn Or “banquet.” This may not refer only to a wedding feast, because this term can have broader sense (note the usage in Esth 2:18; 9:22 LXX). However, this difference does not affect the point of the parable.
- Luke 14:8 tn Grk “do not recline in the place of honor.” 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.
- Luke 14:8 tn Grk “by him”; the referent (the host) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Luke 14:9 tn Grk “host, and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate this action is a result of the situation described in the previous verse. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
- Luke 14:9 tn Or “then in disgrace”; Grk “with shame.” In this culture avoiding shame was important.
- Luke 14:9 tn Grk “lowest place” (also in the repetition of the phrase in the next verse).
- Luke 14:10 tn Grk “the one who invited you.”
- Luke 14:10 tn Grk “Go up higher.” This means to move to a more important place.
- Luke 14:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context, which involves the reversal of expected roles.
- Luke 14:11 sn The point of the statement the one who humbles himself will be exalted is humility and the reversal imagery used to underline it is common: Luke 1:52-53; 6:21; 10:15; 18:14.
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