Luke 20:2

Authorized King James Version

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
Εἰπε
G2036
Tell
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#3
πρὸς
G4314
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#4
αὐτόν
G846
him
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
#5
λέγοντες
G3004
saying
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#6
Εἰπε
G2036
Tell
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#7
ἡμῖν
G2254
us
to (or for, with, by) us
#8
ἐν
G1722
by
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#9
ποίᾳ
G4169
what
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
#10
ἐξουσίαν
G1849
authority
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
#11
ταῦτα
G5023
these things
these things
#12
ποιεῖς
G4160
doest thou
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#13
ἢ
G2228
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#14
τίς
G5101
who
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#15
ἐστιν
G2076
is he
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#16
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
δούς
G1325
that gave
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#18
σοι
G4671
thee
to thee
#19
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
ἐξουσίαν
G1849
authority
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
#21
ταύτην
G3778
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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