Luke 20:19-21

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. 20:21 Thus they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, 10  and show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 11 


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 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the plans by the spies.

10 tn Or “precisely”; Grk “rightly.” Jesus teaches exactly, the straight and narrow.

11 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 was specifically designed to trap Jesus.