Luke 20:20
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And they kept watch on him, and sent out secret representatives, who were acting the part of good men, in order that they might get something from his words, on account of which they might give him up to the government and into the power of the ruler.
Webster's Revision
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.
World English Bible
They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor.
Definitions for Luke 20:20
Clarke's Luke 20:20 Bible Commentary
They watched him - Παρατηρησαντες, Insidiously watching. See on Luke 14:1 (note).
Spies - Εγκαθετους, from εν, in, and καθιημι, I let down, to set in ambush. One who crouches in some secret place to spy, listen, catch, or hurt. Hesychius explains the word by ενεδρευοντες, those who lie in wait, or in ambush, to surprise and slay. Josephus uses the word to signify a person bribed for a particular purpose. See War, b. ii. c. ii. s. 5, and b. vi. c. v. s. 2. No doubt the persons mentioned in the text were men of the basest principles, and were hired by the malicious Pharisees to do what they attempted in vain to perform.
Barnes's Luke 20:20 Bible Commentary
See this explained in the Matthew 22:15-33 notes, and Mark 12:13-27 notes.
Wesley's Luke 20:20 Bible Commentary
20:20 Just men - Men of a tender conscience. To take hold of his discourse - If he answered as they hoped he would. Matthew 22:16 ; Mr 12:12.
