Luke 20:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →While Jesus teaches and preaches the gospel in the temple, the chief priests, scribes, and elders — the rulers of Israel — come upon him together.
What Does Luke 20:1 Mean?
It is the final week of Jesus' life. He has entered Jerusalem to shouts of praise, cleansed the temple of its merchants, and now teaches there daily (Luke 19:45-48). The delegation that interrupts him — chief priests, scribes, and elders — represents every branch of the council that governed Israel's religious life, arriving in force.
The scene is quietly striking: the Son teaches good news in his Father's house, and the appointed guardians of that house come not to listen but to challenge. Luke notes that Jesus was preaching the gospel — even in his last days, under gathering threat, his work is the glad announcement of God's kingdom. Opposition does not change his message; it only reveals the hearts that refuse it.
Luke 20:1 in the Original Language
euangelizomai (εὐαγγελίζομαι), 'preached the gospel' -- to announce glad tidings, to herald good news.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:1
What does Luke 20:1 mean?
While Jesus teaches and preaches the gospel in the temple, the chief priests, scribes, and elders — the rulers of Israel — come upon him together.