Footnotes

1. Matthew 27:35 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
2. Matthew 27:35 sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.
3. Matthew 27:35 tn Grk “by throwing the lot” (probably by using marked pebbles or broken pieces of pottery). A modern equivalent, “throwing dice,” was chosen here because of its association with gambling. According to L&N 6.219 a term for “dice” is particularly appropriate.sn An allusion to Ps 22:18.
4. Matthew 27:37 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
5. Matthew 27:37 sn Mention of the inscription is an important detail, because the inscription would normally give the reason for the execution. It shows that Jesus was executed for claiming to be a king. It was also probably written with irony from the executioners’ point of view.
6. Matthew 27:37 tn Grk “was written.”
7. Matthew 27:39 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
8. Matthew 27:40 sn There is rich irony in the statements of those who were passing by, “save yourself!” and “come down from the cross!” In summary, they wanted Jesus to come down from the cross and save his physical life, but it was indeed his staying on the cross and giving his physical life that led to the fact that they could experience a resurrection from death to life.
9. Matthew 27:40 tc ‡ Many significant witnesses (א* A D it sy^[s],p) read καί (kai, here with the force of “then”) before κατάβηθι (katabēthi, “come down”). The shorter reading may well be due to homoioarcton, but judging by the diverse external evidence (א² B L W Γ Δ Θ 0250 ƒ^1,13 33 565 579 700 1241 1424 M lat) it is equally possible that the shorter reading is the wording of the initial text (and is so considered for this translation). NA²⁸ puts the καί in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.
10. Matthew 27:41 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
11. Matthew 27:41 tn Or “with the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
12. Matthew 27:41 tn Only “chief priests” is in the nominative case; this sentence structure attempts to capture this emphasis.
13. Matthew 27:41 tn Grk “Mocking him, the chief priests…said.”
14. Matthew 27:42 tn Here the aorist imperative καταβάτω (katabatō) has been translated as a conditional imperative. This fits the pattern of other conditional imperatives (imperative + καί + future indicative) outlined by ExSyn 489.
15. Matthew 27:43 sn An allusion to Ps 22:8.
16. Matthew 27:44 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
17. Matthew 27:44 sn Matthew’s wording suggests that both of the criminals spoke abusively to him. If so, one of them quickly changed his attitude toward Jesus (see Luke 23:40-43).