Luke 23:38-40

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Luke 23:38 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.
2. Luke 23:39 tc Most mss (A C³ W Θ Ψ ƒ^1,13 33 M lat) read εἰ σὺ εἶ (ei su ei, “If you are”) here, while οὐχὶ σὺ εἶ (ouchi su ei, “Are you not”) is found in overall better and earlier witnesses (P⁷⁵ א B C* L 070 1241 it). The “if” clause reading creates a parallel with the earlier taunts (vv. 35, 37), and thus is most likely a motivated reading. sn The question in Greek expects a positive reply and is also phrased with irony.
3. Luke 23:39 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 2:11.
4. Luke 23:40 tn Grk “But answering, the other rebuking him, said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.
5. Luke 23:40 tn The particle used here (οὐδέ, oude), which expects a positive reply, makes this a rebuke—“You should fear God and not speak!”
6. Luke 23:40 tn The words “of condemnation” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.