Luke 20:20
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.
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
παρατηρήσαντες
they watched
G3906
παρατηρήσαντες
they watched
Strong's:
G3906
Word #:
2 of 23
to inspect alongside, i.e., note insidiously or scrupulously
ἀπέστειλαν
him and sent forth
G649
ἀπέστειλαν
him and sent forth
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
3 of 23
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ἐγκαθέτους
spies
G1455
ἐγκαθέτους
spies
Strong's:
G1455
Word #:
4 of 23
subinduced, i.e., surreptitiously suborned as a lier-in-wait
ὑποκρινομένους
which should feign
G5271
ὑποκρινομένους
which should feign
Strong's:
G5271
Word #:
5 of 23
to decide (speak or act) under a false part, i.e., (figuratively) dissemble (pretend)
ἑαυτοὺς
themselves
G1438
ἑαυτοὺς
themselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
6 of 23
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
δικαίους
just men
G1342
δικαίους
just men
Strong's:
G1342
Word #:
7 of 23
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
ἐπιλάβωνται
they might take hold
G1949
ἐπιλάβωνται
they might take hold
Strong's:
G1949
Word #:
10 of 23
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 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
λόγου
words
G3056
λόγου
words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
12 of 23
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
εἰς
that so
G1519
εἰς
that so
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδοῦναι
they might deliver
G3860
παραδοῦναι
they might deliver
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
15 of 23
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχῇ
unto the power
G746
ἀρχῇ
unto the power
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
18 of 23
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσίᾳ
authority
G1849
ἐξουσίᾳ
authority
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
21 of 23
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
Cross References
Luke 11:54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.Psalms 81:15The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.Jeremiah 11:19But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.Matthew 27:2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.2 Peter 2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.Luke 20:26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Historical Context
Roman governors (procurators) like Pilate held ultimate judicial authority in Judea, including capital punishment. The Jewish leadership could arrest and try cases of religious law but needed Roman approval for executions. Treason against Caesar was the charge that would work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does deceptive 'concern' for truth mask attempts to destroy those who threaten your position?
- When religious authorities collaborate with secular power to silence prophetic voices, what has gone wrong?
- What does feigning righteousness while plotting evil reveal about the human capacity for self-deception?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They watched him (παρατηρέω, paratēreō)—not pastoral care but hostile surveillance, seeking grounds for accusation. The verb suggests lying in wait like hunters. Sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men (ἐνκαθέτους ὑποκρινομένους, enkathetous hypokrinomenous)—paid informants pretending to be righteous inquirers, the very definition of hypocrisy.
Their goal: deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor (τῇ ἀρχῇ καὶ τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος, tē archē kai tē exousia tou hēgemonos)—Pontius Pilate. The Sanhedrin lacked authority to execute, so they needed Jesus to incriminate himself politically. This conspiracy demonstrates the depth of their rejection—not honest debate but entrapment.