Luke 20:23 Meaning and Explanation
“But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus perceives their craftiness and asks why they are testing him.
What Does Luke 20:23 Mean?
Before answering the question, Jesus answers the questioners. The mask of sincerity that fooled no one in heaven is removed in a sentence: he perceives the cunning beneath the compliments and names it aloud — 'Why tempt ye me?'
Nothing about us is hidden from him: not the words we polish, not the motives buried beneath them (Hebrews 4:13). That is fearful news for the scheming and freeing news for the sincere — with Jesus there is never any need to perform. He sees the heart first and the question second. And notice that even seeing the craftiness, he does not walk away; he answers, with a wisdom that turns the trap into a lesson for the ages.
Luke 20:23 in the Original Language
panourgia (πανουργία), 'craftiness' -- unscrupulous cunning; literally a readiness to do anything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:23
What does Luke 20:23 mean?
Jesus perceives their craftiness and asks why they are testing him.