Luke 20:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The leaders keep Jesus under watch and send spies posing as honest men, to catch him in his words and deliver him to the Roman governor.
What Does Luke 20:20 Mean?
Unable to seize Jesus openly, the leaders turn to surveillance. The spies must 'feign themselves just men' — play the honest inquirer — because honesty is the only thing that gets near Jesus. The objective is a charge Rome will act on, for only the governor can put a man to death.
Religion in the service of malice will stoop to anything: infiltration, costumed sincerity, questions engineered as snares. The verse quietly searches our own approach to Jesus. It is possible to come to him with reverent words and a concealed agenda — to ask not in order to learn, but to confirm a verdict already reached. He cannot be trapped; he can only be trusted.
Luke 20:20 in the Original Language
enkathetos (ἐγκάθετος), 'spies' -- men suborned to lie in wait; agents planted with a hidden purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:20
What does Luke 20:20 mean?
The leaders keep Jesus under watch and send spies posing as honest men, to catch him in his words and deliver him to the Roman governor.