Luke 16:15

16:15 But Jesus said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God’s sight.

Luke 20:20

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20:20 Then they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They wanted to take advantage of what he might say so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.


tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

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.

tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.

tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).

tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

tn Grk “righteous,” but in this context the point is their false sincerity.

tn Grk “so that they might catch him in some word.”

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).