Luke 19:47
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθ'
daily
G2596
καθ'
daily
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
5 of 23
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἡμέραν
G2250
ἡμέραν
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
6 of 23
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
9 of 23
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
12 of 23
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐζήτουν
sought
G2212
ἐζήτουν
sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
16 of 23
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπολέσαι
to destroy
G622
ἀπολέσαι
to destroy
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
18 of 23
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 11:18And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.Matthew 26:55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Historical Context
The Sadducean priesthood controlled the temple and collaborated with Rome to maintain power. Jesus's action disrupted their revenue and exposed their corruption. The Sanhedrin (scribes and chief priests) saw Jesus as dangerous revolutionary. By week's end, they would deliver Him to Pilate, accomplishing the destruction they sought—unknowingly fulfilling God's plan.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Jesus continue teaching publicly in the temple despite knowing the leaders sought to kill Him?
- How does religious establishment often feel most threatened by those who call it back to its true mission?
- What does the alliance between religious, intellectual, and political powers teach about opposition to God's truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he taught daily in the temple (Καὶ ἦν διδάσκων τὸ καθ' ἡμέραν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, Kai ēn didaskōn to kath' hēmeran en tō hierō)—After cleansing the temple, Jesus occupies it. The imperfect periphrastic construction ēn didaskōn (he was teaching) emphasizes continuous, repeated action. Kath' hēmeran (daily, each day) shows Jesus's public ministry during Passion Week—He doesn't hide but openly claims teaching authority in Israel's central religious space.
But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him (οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς ἐζήτουν αὐτὸν ἀπολέσαι, hoi de archiereis kai hoi grammateis ezētoun auton apolesai)—three power groups unite against Jesus: religious leaders (archiereis, chief priests), theological experts (grammateis, scribes), and political influencers (chief of the people). Zēteō apolesai (were seeking to destroy) uses the imperfect tense for ongoing plotting and the aorist infinitive for definite intention: total destruction, not mere silencing. The temple cleansing was last straw—Jesus threatened their economic and religious power base.