Luke 20:19-20

20:19 Then the experts in the law and the chief priests wanted to arrest him that very hour, because they realized he had told this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

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.

Luke 22:2-4

22:2 The chief priests and the experts in the law 10  were trying to find some way 11  to execute 12  Jesus, 13  for they were afraid of the people. 14 

22:3 Then 15  Satan 16  entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. 17  22:4 He went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard 18  how he might 19  betray Jesus, 20  handing him over to them. 21 

Matthew 22:15-16

Paying Taxes to Caesar

22:15 Then the Pharisees 22  went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words. 23  22:16 They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, 24  saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 25  You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality. 26 


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

tn Or “The scribes” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.

tn Grk “tried to lay hands on him.”

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

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).

tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

10 tn Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.

11 tn Grk “were seeking how.”

12 tn The Greek verb here means “to get rid of by execution” (BDAG 64 s.v. ἀναιρέω 2; cf. also L&N 20.71, which states, “to get rid of someone by execution, often with legal or quasi-legal procedures”).

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

14 sn The suggestion here is that Jesus was too popular to openly arrest him. The verb were trying is imperfect. It suggests, in this context, that they were always considering the opportunities.

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

16 sn The cross is portrayed as part of the cosmic battle between Satan and God; see Luke 4:1-13; 11:14-23.

17 tn Grk “Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”

18 tn The full title στρατηγὸς τοῦ ἱεροῦ (strathgo" tou Jierou; “officer of the temple” or “captain of the temple guard”) is sometimes shortened to στρατηγός as here (L&N 37.91).

19 tn Luke uses this frequent indirect question to make his point (BDF §267.2).

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

21 tn Grk “how he might hand him over to them,” in the sense of “betray him.”

22 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

23 tn Grk “trap him in word.”

24 sn The Herodians are mentioned in the NT only once in Matt (22:16 = Mark 12:13) and twice in Mark (3:6; 12:13; some mss also read “Herodians” instead of “Herod” in Mark 8:15). It is generally assumed that as a group the Herodians were Jewish supporters of the Herodian dynasty (or of Herod Antipas in particular). In every instance they are linked with the Pharisees. This probably reflects agreement regarding political objectives (nationalism as opposed to submission to the yoke of Roman oppression) rather than philosophy or religious beliefs.

25 sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question of the Pharisees and Herodians was specifically designed to trap Jesus.

26 tn Grk “And it is not a concern to you about anyone because you do not see the face of men.”