Luke 19:2-4

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Luke 19:2 tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of a new character. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
2. Luke 19:2 sn This is the one place in the NT the office of chief tax collector is noted. If the term refers to a managerial rank, this individual would organize and oversee the other tax collectors and collect significant commissions (see also the note on the word tax collector in 3:12). It is possible, however, that in this context the term simply means “major tax collector” and is a comment on the individual’s importance or wealth rather than his rank (see D. L. Bock, Luke [BECNT] 1:1516).
3. Luke 19:3 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
4. Luke 19:3 tn Grk “He was trying to see who Jesus was.”
5. Luke 19:3 tn Grk “and he was not able to because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.”
6. Luke 19:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Zacchaeus not being able to see over the crowd.
7. Luke 19:4 sn A sycamore tree would have large branches near the ground like an oak tree and would be fairly easy to climb. These trees reach a height of some 50 ft (about 15 m).
8. Luke 19:4 tn Grk “that one”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.