20:20 Then 6 they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. 7 They wanted to take advantage of what he might say 8 so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction 9 of the governor.
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
2 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Grk “before men.” The contrast is between outward appearance (“in people’s eyes”) and inward reality (“God knows your hearts”). Here the Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used twice in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, but “men” has been retained in the text to provide a strong verbal contrast with “God” in the second half of the verse.
4 tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.
5 tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).
6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
7 tn Grk “righteous,” but in this context the point is their false sincerity.
8 tn Grk “so that they might catch him in some word.”
9 tn This word is often translated “authority” in other contexts, but here, in combination with ἀρχή (arch), it refers to the domain or sphere of the governor’s rule (L&N 37.36).