Luke 6:37-39

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Luke 6:37 tn Grk “And do.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
2. Luke 6:37 sn As the Gospel makes clear, with the statement do not judge Jesus had in mind making a judgment that caused one to cut oneself off from someone so that they ceased to be reached out to (5:27-32; 15:1-32). Jesus himself did make judgments about where people stand (11:37-54), but not in such a way that he ceased to continue to offer them God’s grace.
3. Luke 6:37 sn The point of the statement do not judge, and you will not be judged is that the standards one applies to others God applies back. The passive verbs in this verse look to God’s action.
4. Luke 6:37 sn On forgive see Luke 11:4; 1 Pet 3:7.
5. Luke 6:38 sn The background to the image pressed down, shaken together, running over is pouring out grain for measure in the marketplace. One often poured the grain into a container, shook it to level out the grain and then poured in some more. Those who are generous have generosity running over for them.
6. Luke 6:38 tn Grk “they will give”; that is, “pour.” The third person plural has been replaced by the passive in the translation.
7. Luke 6:38 tn Grk “by the measure with which you measure it will be measured back to you.”
8. Luke 6:39 tn Questions prefaced with μή (mē) in Greek anticipate a negative answer. This can sometimes be indicated by using a “tag” at the end in English (here it is “can he?”).
9. Luke 6:39 sn The picture of a blind man leading a blind man is a warning to watch who one follows: Won’t they both fall into a pit? The sermon has been about religious choices and reacting graciously to those who oppose the followers of Jesus. Here Jesus’ point was to be careful who you follow and where they are taking you.