Lukas 20:47

20:47 They ¹  devour ²  widows’ property, ³  and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”

Lukas 12:37

12:37 Blessed are those slaves ⁴  whom their master finds alert ⁵  when he returns! I tell you the truth, ⁶  he will dress himself to serve, ⁷  have them take their place at the table, ⁸  and will come ⁹  and wait on them! ¹⁰ 

[20:47]  ¹ tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 46.

[20:47]  ² sn How they were able to devour widows’ houses is debated. Did they seek too much for contributions, or take too high a commission for their work, or take homes after debts failed to be paid? There is too little said here to be sure.

[20:47]  ³ tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).

[12:37]  ⁴ tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.

[12:37]  ⁵ tn Or “watching”; Grk “awake,” but in context this is not just being awake but alert and looking out.

[12:37]  ⁶ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[12:37]  ⁷ tn See v. 35 (same verb).

[12:37]  ⁸ tn Grk “have them recline at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.

[12:37]  ⁹ tn The participle παρελθών (parelqwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

[12:37]  ¹⁰ sn He…will come and wait on them is a reversal of expectation, but shows that what Jesus asks for he is willing to do as well; see John 13:5 and 15:18-27, although those instances merely foreshadow what is in view here.