Luke 20:1
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,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 25
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμερῶν
days
G2250
ἡμερῶν
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
6 of 25
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
ἐκείνων,
of those
G1565
ἐκείνων,
of those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
7 of 25
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 25
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
the people
G2992
λαὸν
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
11 of 25
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
14 of 25
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐαγγελιζομένου
preached the gospel
G2097
εὐαγγελιζομένου
preached the gospel
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
16 of 25
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
ἐπέστησαν
came upon
G2186
ἐπέστησαν
came upon
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
17 of 25
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
19 of 25
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 25
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 #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σὺν
him with
G4862
σὺν
him with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
23 of 25
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
Historical Context
This confrontation occurred during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, likely Tuesday of Passion Week. The temple Jesus taught in was Herod's temple, the center of Jewish worship and the Sanhedrin's power base. The chief priests controlled temple operations and profited from the money-changing system Jesus had just disrupted. Scribes were legal experts in Torah, while elders represented wealthy lay aristocracy. Together they formed the Sanhedrin, which would condemn Jesus three days later.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Jesus' proclamation of the gospel in the temple courts threaten the religious establishment's authority?
- How does the coalition of religious leaders reveal the nature of opposition to God's truth?
- What does the timing of this confrontation (after cleansing the temple) tell us about defending corrupt religious systems?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—Luke sets the confrontation during Jesus' teaching ministry in the temple courts. The phrase "preached the gospel" (εὐαγγελιζομένου, euangelizomenou) shows Jesus actively proclaiming good news, not merely teaching ethics. The opposition coalition—chief priests (ἀρχιερεῖς, archiereis), scribes (γραμματεῖς, grammateis), and elders (πρεσβύτεροι, presbyteroi)—represents the Sanhedrin's power structure.
The verb "came upon" (ἐπέστησαν, epestēsan) suggests sudden, aggressive confrontation, not polite inquiry. This occurs after Jesus cleansed the temple (19:45-46), directly challenging their authority and revenue stream. Their question about authority (v. 2) attempts to trap Jesus: claiming divine authority invites blasphemy charges, while claiming human authority undermines His prophetic stance.