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18 KiB
Luke 18
Luke 18:1
Connecting Statement:
Jesus begins to tell a parable as he continues to teach his disciples. This is the same part of the story that began in Luke 17:20. Here we have a description of the parable Jesus is about to tell. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
Then he
"Then Jesus"
Luke 18:2
saying
A new sentence could begin here (if the comma at the end of the previous verse is changed to a period): "He said"
a certain city
Here "certain city" is a way to let the listener know that the narrative that follows takes place in a city, but the name of the city itself is not important. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-intro)
did not respect people
"did not care about other people"
Luke 18:3
Now there was a widow
Jesus uses this phrase to introduce a new character to the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
widow
A widow is a woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried. Jesus's hearers would have thought of her as a person who had no one to protect her from those who wanted to harm her.
she came often to him
The word "him" refers to the judge.
Help me get justice against
"Give me a just ruling against"
my opponent
"my enemy" or "the person who is trying to harm me." This is an opponent in a lawsuit. It is not clear whether the widow is suing the opponent or the opponent is suing the widow.
Luke 18:4
man
This refers here to "people" in general. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)
Luke 18:5
causes me trouble
"bothers me"
wear me out
"exhaust me"
by her constant coming
"by continually coming to me"
Luke 18:6
General Information:
Jesus has finished telling his parable and is now commenting about it to his disciples.
Listen to what the unjust judge says
"Think about what the unjust judge just said." Translate this in a way that people will understand that Jesus has already told what the judge said.
Luke 18:7
Connecting Statement:
This is the beginning of an explanation of the parable in Luke 18:1-5.
Now
This word indicates that Jesus has ended the parable and has started explaining its meaning.
will not God also bring ... night?
Jesus uses a question to teach the disciples. This can be a statement. Alternate translation: "God will also certainly bring ... night!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
his chosen ones
"the people he has chosen"
Will he delay long over them?
Jesus uses a question to teach the disciples. This can be a statement. Alternate translation: "He will certainly not delay long over them!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Luke 18:8
Connecting Statement:
This is the end of the explanation of the parable in Luke 18:1-5 that began in verse 7.
when the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find faith on the earth?
Jesus asks this question so that his hearers will stop thinking that God is slow to help those who call to him for justice and will understand that the real problem is that they do not truly have faith in God. Alternate translation: "when the Son of Man comes, you need to be sure that he will find that you truly have faith in him." or "when the Son of Man comes, he will find few on earth who believe." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find
Jesus is referring to himself. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man come, will I indeed find" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Luke 18:9
General Information:
Jesus begins to tell another parable to some other people who were persuaded that they themselves were righteous. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
Then he
"Then Jesus"
to some
"to some people"
who trusted in themselves that they were righteous
"who had convinced themselves that they were righteous" or "who thought they were righteous"
despised
strongly disliked or hated
Luke 18:10
into the temple
"into the temple courtyard"
Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed these things about himself
The meaning of the Greek text of this phrase is not clear. Possible meanings are 1) "The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself in this way" or 2) "The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed."
robbers
Robbers are people who steal from other people by forcing the other people to give things to them, or by threatening to harm them if they refuse to give what the robbers ask for.
or even like this tax collector
The Pharisees believed that tax collectors were as sinful as robbers, unrighteous people, and adulterers. This could be made explicit. Alternate translation: "and I am certainly not like this sinful tax collector, who cheats people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 18:12
all that I get
"everything I earn"
Luke 18:13
Connecting Statement:
Jesus finishes telling his parable.
standing at a distance
"stood away from the Pharisee." This was a sign of humility. He did not feel worthy to be near the Pharisee.
lift up his eyes to heaven
To "lift up his eyes" means to look at something. Alternate translation: "look toward heaven" or "look upward" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
hit his breast
This is a physical expression of great sorrow, and shows this man's repentance and humility. Alternate translation: "hit his breast to show his sorrow" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
God, have mercy on me, a sinner
"God, please be merciful to me. I am a sinner" or "God, please have mercy on me even though I have committed many sins"
Luke 18:14
Connecting Statement:
Jesus comments on what the parable teaches.
this man went back down to his house justified
He was justified because God forgave his sin. Alternate translation: "God forgave the tax collector" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
rather than the other
"rather than the other man" or "and not the other man." Alternate translation: "but God did not forgive the Pharisee" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
because everyone who exalts himself
With this phrase, Jesus switches from the story to state the general principle that the story illustrates.
will be humbled
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will humble" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
will be exalted
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will greatly honor" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 18:15
Connecting Statement:
This is the next event in the part of the story which began in Luke 17:20. Jesus welcomes the children and talks about them.
touch them, but
This could also be translated as separate sentences: "touch them. But"
they rebuked them
"the disciples tried to stop the parents from bringing their children to Jesus"
Luke 18:16
Jesus called them to him
"Jesus told the people to bring their infants to him"
Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them
These two sentences have similar meaning and they are combined for emphasis. Some languages emphasize in a different way. Alternate translation: "You must certainly allow the children to come to me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
belongs to such ones
This could be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: "belongs to people who are like these little children" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Luke 18:17
Truly I say to you
"Surely I say to you." Jesus used this expression to emphasize the importance of what he was about to say.
whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely not enter it
God requires people to accept his rule over them with trust and humility. Alternate translation: "whoever wants to enter God's kingdom must receive it with trust and humility like a child" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Luke 18:18
Connecting Statement:
This is the next event in the part of the story which began in Luke 17:20. Jesus begins to talk with a ruler about entering the kingdom of heaven.
A certain ruler
This introduces a new character in the story. It only identifies him by his position. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
what must I do
"what do I need to do" or "what is required of me"
inherit eternal life
"receive life that does not end." The term "inherit" usually refers to the property that a man left to his children when he dies. Therefore, this metaphor may mean he understood himself to be a child of God and desired for God to give him eternal life. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Luke 18:19
Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone
Jesus asks the question because he knows that the ruler will not like Jesus's answer to the ruler's question in verse 18. Jesus does not expect the ruler to answer Jesus's question. Jesus wants the ruler to understand that Jesus's answer to the ruler's question comes from God, who alone is good. Alternate translation: "You know that no one is good, except God alone, so to call me good is to compare me with God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
No one is good, except God alone
This double negative emphasizes that God is the only one who is good. Alternate translation: "The only one who is good is God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublenegatives)
Luke 18:20
do not kill
"do not murder"
Luke 18:21
All these things
"All of these commandments"
Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard that
"When Jesus heard the man say that"
he said to him
"he answered him"
One thing you still lack
"You still need to do one more thing" or "There is one thing that you have not yet done"
sell all that you have
"sell all your possessions" or "sell everything that you own"
distribute it to the poor
"give away the money to the poor people"
come, follow me
"come with me as my disciple"
Luke 18:23
General Information:
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Luke 18:24
How difficult it is ... kingdom of God!
This is an exclamation, and not a question. Alternate translation: "It is so very hard ... kingdom of God!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclamations)
Luke 18:25
a camel to go through a needle's eye
It is impossible for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle. Jesus was probably using hyperbole to mean it is extremely difficult for a rich man to enter God's kingdom. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
needle's eye
The needle's eye is the hole in a sewing needle through which the thread is passed.
Luke 18:26
Those hearing it said
"The people who listening to Jesus said"
Then who can be saved?
It is possible that they were asking for an answer. But it is more likely that they used the question to emphasize their surprise at what Jesus said. Alternate translation: "Then no one can be saved from sin!" or in active form: "Then God will not save anyone!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 18:27
are impossible with people are possible with God
"people cannot do are possible for God to do" or "people cannot do, God can do"
Luke 18:28
Well, we
This phrase refers only to the disciples, and contrasts them with the rich ruler.
we have left
"we have given up" or "we have left behind"
everything that is our own
"all our wealth" or "all our possessions"
Luke 18:29
Truly, I say to you
Jesus uses this expression to stress the importance of what he is about to say.
there is no one who
This expression is intended to include not only the disciples, but also everyone else who has made the same sacrifices.
Luke 18:30
Connecting Statement:
This is the end of the conversation about entering the kingdom of heaven.
who will not receive
This could be stated in positive form. First the words "there is not one who" in the previous verse (verse 29) need to be changed to "everyone who" and then these words here need to be changed to "will receive." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublenegatives)
in this time
in this present world
in the age to come, eternal life
"he will also receive eternal life in the age to come"
Luke 18:31
Connecting Statement:
This is the next event in this part of the story that began in Luke 17:20. Jesus is talking to his disciples alone.
gathered the twelve to himself
Jesus took the twelve disciples to a place away from other people where they could be alone.
See, we are going up to Jerusalem
This indicates a significant change in the ministry of Jesus as he goes to Jerusalem for the final time.
that have been written by the prophets
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that the prophets have written" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the prophets
This refers to the Old Testament prophets.
Son of Man
Jesus speaks of himself as "the Son of Man." Alternate translation: "me, the Son of Man," (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
will be accomplished
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "will happen" or "will occur" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 18:32
For he will be given over to the Gentiles
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "For the Jewish leaders will give him over to the Gentiles" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
he
Jesus speaks of himself. Alternate translation: "I" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they will mock him, treat him shamefully, and spit on him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 18:33
him ... him ... he
Jesus speaks of himself. Alternate translation: "me ... me ... I" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
on the third day
This refers to the third day after his death. However, the disciples did not yet understand this, so it is best not to add this explanation when translating this verse. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-ordinal)
Luke 18:34
General Information:
This verse is not part of the main story line, but rather a comment about this part of the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-endofstory)
They understood none of these things
"They did not understand any of these things"
these things
This refers to Jesus's description of how he would suffer and die in Jerusalem, and that he would rise from the dead.
this word was hidden from them
This can be stated in active form, but it is not clear whether it is God or Jesus who hid the word from them. Alternate translation: "Jesus hid his message from them" or "God prevented them from understanding the meaning of what Jesus was telling them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the things that were said
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the things that Jesus said" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 18:35
General Information:
Jesus heals a blind man as he approaches Jericho. These verses give background information and information about the setting of the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
It came about
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
a certain blind man was sitting
"there was a blind man sitting." Here "certain" means only that the man is an important new participant in the story. Luke does not mention his name. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
Luke 18:36
and hearing
and hearing
It may be helpful to start a new sentence here after changing the comma at the end of the previous verse (verse 35) to a period. Alternate translation: "When he heard"
Luke 18:37
They told him
"People in the crowd told the blind man"
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus came from the town of Nazareth, which was located in Galilee.
was passing by
"was walking past him"
Luke 18:38
So
This word marks an event that happened because of something else that happened first. In this case, the crowd had told the blind man that Jesus was walking by.
cried out
"called out" or "shouted"
Son of David
Jesus was a descendant of David, Israel's most important king.
have mercy on me
"show me pity" or "show me compassion"
Luke 18:39
The ones who were walking ahead
"The people who were walking at the front of the crowd"
to be quiet
"to be silent" or "not to shout"
cried out all the more
This could mean that he cried out louder or that he cried out more persistently.
Luke 18:40
that the man be brought to him
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the people to bring the blind man to him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 18:41
to receive my sight
"to be able to see"
Luke 18:42
Receive your sight
This is a command, but Jesus is not commanding the man to do anything. Jesus is healing the man by commanding him to be healed. Alternate translation: "You will now receive your sight" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-imperative)
Your faith has healed you
These words are a metonym. It was because of the man's faith that Jesus healed the man. Alternate translation: "I have healed you because you have believed in me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Luke 18:43
glorifying God
"giving glory to God" or "praising God"