Luke 10

pray earnestly
The Greek imperative translated “pray earnestly” is δέομαι (deomai), which describes a passionate or desperate request with a deep desire to see the request granted. Thus, it is often rendered as “beg.” For consistency in this translation, δέομαι (deomai) is rendered as “beg” when addressed to another human or Jesus in person (e.g., Luke 5:12; 9:40; Acts 21:39; 2 Cor 5:20), and “pray earnestly” when addressed to God the Father (cf. Matt 9:38; Luke 21:36; 22:32; Acts 4:31; 8:22, 24; 10:2; 1 Thess 3:10). Here, Jesus teaches that the disciples’ requests to God to send workers into the harvest should not be half-hearted or routine but earnest and impassioned as they truly desire with Jesus to see the lost saved.

has come near
The verb Ἤγγικεν (ēngiken) translated “has come near” is usually translated “is at hand” elsewhere (cf. v. 11). The reason for the apparent inconsistency is that the verb functions differently when followed by a preposition. Prepositions often significantly change the semantics of Greek verbs, as is the case here, where the verb ἐγγίζω (engizō) is followed by the preposition ἐπί (epi). This is conveyed in English with the preposition “to” in “has come near to you.”

will you
This question opens with the Greek negative particle μή (mē), which is used to prime the listener for an assumed negative answer. Thus, the correct answer to Jesus’ rhetorical question is “no.” This is why some translations structure the question, “you will not…will you?” However, to avoid adding words which do not appear in the Greek text, the rhetorical question is simply translated with a structure familiar in English. This way, nothing external is added, and the force of the rhetorical question and the expected negative answer remain perfectly intact.

in Your sight
The phrase “in Your sight” is used to translate the Greek prepositional phrase ἔμπροσθέν σου (emprosthen sou). While another good option could have been “before you,” “in Your sight” consistently fits the semantic range of the expression (cf. Matt 11:26).

are
The italicized verb “are” is supplied because the sentence is a verbless clause in Greek. However, even though verbless clauses in Greek usually translate sentences with “to be” verbs in English, the choice to translate as a modal (e.g., “Blessed be”) is grammatically possible. This latter option, though grammatically possible, is eliminated by the context. Thus, utilizing interpretive italics here helps to convey the original intent to the English reader.

scholar of the Law
The identification “scholar of the Law” translates the simpler Greek word νομικός (nomikos), which some translations render as “lawyer.” It is translated here as “scholar of the Law” to avoid confusion with the modern conception of lawyers. The picture Luke intends to paint is of a Jewish man who was an expert in the Law of God. He apparently thought he could use his expertise to test Jesus, but ironically, his own understanding of the Law would be put to the test (vv. 26ff).

How do you read it?
The translation, “How do you read it?” faithfully accounts for the active verb “read” in the phrase πῶς ἀναγινώσκεις (pōs anaginōskeis). This puts emphasis on the man himself, as Jesus wants him to compare “what is written” to “how he reads,” as Jesus asks not only for the text of the Law, but how the man interprets it. The man only answered the first question (v. 27) while Jesus exposed his misunderstanding of the application (vv. 28–29) and began to teach not only what the Law says, but what it means and how it should be applied (vv. 30–37).

happened
The translation “happened” accounts for the phrase κατὰ συγκυρίαν (kata synkyrian; lit. “according to coincidence” or “according to chance”). In Jesus’ vivid and skillful storytelling, this language of happenstance may be used to build expectation for a positive outcome, as if to say, “How fortunate!” (e.g., Ruth 2:3). It may also show that the priest had no pressing objective at the moment and simply happened to be going along that way, in contrast to the Samaritan who was on a journey with a specific destination in mind (v. 33). Thus, Jesus portrays this priest as being in an opportune position to help the man, yet though he noticed him, he intentionally avoided him.

animal
Though rendered in some translations as “beast” or “donkey,” the word κτῆνος (ktēnos) refers generally to an animal that is domesticated and used to carry a rider. Because “beast” is a bit antiquated and may carry unwanted connotations of an untamed animal, and “donkey” is more specific than the Greek word allows, “animal” is a closer translation. It is difficult to bring the ‘riding’ connotation into English. This Samaritan, though on a journey, was willing to forego the advantage of riding his own animal, choosing to walk instead in order to provide a mount for the injured man.

into her home
The Greek phrasing seen to the right (from the SBLGNT) lacks the words εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτῆς (eis ton oikon autēs; “into her home”), but is included in translation here. Though disputed, this reading is backed by heavier textual evidence than its absence. Therefore, this translation renders the phrase in accordance with the best textual evidence.

preparations
Both occurrences of the term “preparations” in this verse have the same Greek root word for serving, the first one being a noun (διακονίαν; diakonian) and the second one being the cognate verb (διακονέω; diakoneō). Their consistent translation brings out the connection Luke intended, showing that Martha was referring precisely to what she was distracted with at the time.