[2:8] 1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
[2:8] 2 sn Some argue that shepherds were among the culturally despised, but the evidence for this view of shepherds is late, coming from 5th century Jewish materials. December 25 as the celebrated date of Jesus’ birth arose around the time of Constantine (ca.
[2:8] 3 tn Grk “in that region.”
[2:8] 4 tn Grk “living in the field (see BDAG 15 s.v. ἀγραυλέω) and guarding their flock.”
[23:27] 5 sn The background of these women is disputed. Are they “official” mourners of Jesus’ death, appointed by custom to mourn death? If so, the mourning here would be more pro forma. However, the text seems to treat the mourning as sincere, so their tears and lamenting would have been genuine.
[23:27] 6 tn Or “who were beating their breasts,” implying a ritualized form of mourning employed in Jewish funerals. See the note on the term “women” earlier in this verse.