Luke 20:8
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 14
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 14
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
λέγω
tell
G3004
λέγω
tell
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ποίᾳ
what
G4169
ποίᾳ
what
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
11 of 14
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
Historical Context
This exchange occurred in the temple courts during Passion Week, with large crowds listening. Jesus' response publicly exposed the leaders' hypocrisy while protecting Himself from premature arrest. The timing wasn't yet right—Jesus would die on God's schedule, not theirs. The leaders' failure here intensified their resolve to destroy Jesus, but they feared the crowds (19:47-48, 20:19). This confrontation set the stage for subsequent attempts to trap Jesus with questions about taxes (20:20-26), resurrection (20:27-40), and His identity (20:41-44).
Questions for Reflection
- When is silence about spiritual truth the wisest response, and when is it cowardice?
- How does Jesus' refusal to answer demonstrate that divine authority doesn't submit to human interrogation?
- What does this exchange teach about discerning when questioners genuinely seek truth versus setting traps?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things—Jesus' refusal (οὐδὲ ἐγὼ λέγω ὑμῖν, oude egō legō hymin) isn't evasion but justified silence before bad-faith interrogators. Since they won't acknowledge obvious truth about John, they've proven themselves unqualified and unwilling to recognize divine authority when confronted with it. Jesus' silence judges them more severely than explanation would.
This response demonstrates wisdom in spiritual warfare. Jesus doesn't cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). They didn't lack evidence for His authority—miracles, fulfilled prophecies, authoritative teaching, transformation of lives. Their question wasn't genuine inquiry but attempted entrapment. By refusing to answer those unwilling to face truth they already possessed, Jesus protects the sacred from profanation and exposes their hardened hearts. His silence also fulfills Isaiah 53:7—the Suffering Servant who "opened not his mouth" before unjust accusers.