Luke 20:20
New International Version
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.

New Living Translation
Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.

English Standard Version
So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

Berean Standard Bible
So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.

Berean Literal Bible
And having watched Him, they sent spies, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might catch Him in His word, in order to deliver Him to the rule and to the authority of the governor.

King James Bible
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 unto the power and authority of the governor.

New King James Version
So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.

New American Standard Bible
And so they watched Him closely, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could hand Him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.

NASB 1995
So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.

NASB 1977
And they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so as to deliver Him up to the rule and the authority of the governor.

Legacy Standard Bible
So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they might catch Him in some statement, in order to deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.

Amplified Bible
So they watched [for a chance to trap] Him. They sent spies who pretended to be upright and sincere, in order that they might catch Him in some statement [that they could distort and use against Him], so that they could turn Him over to the control and authority of [Pilate] the governor.

Christian Standard Bible
They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they could catch him in what he said, to hand him over to the governor’s rule and authority.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so they could catch Him in what He said, to hand Him over to the governor’s rule and authority.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus' enemies kept watching him closely, because they wanted to hand him over to the Roman governor. So they sent some men who pretended to be good. But they were really spies trying to catch Jesus saying something wrong.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So they watched for an opportunity to send out some spies. The spies were to act like sincere religious people. They wanted to catch him saying the wrong thing so that they could hand him over to the governor.

Good News Translation
So they looked for an opportunity. They bribed some men to pretend they were sincere, and they sent them to trap Jesus with questions, so that they could hand him over to the authority and power of the Roman Governor.

International Standard Version
So they watched him closely and sent spies who pretended to be honest men in order to trap him in what he would say. They wanted to hand him over to the jurisdiction of the governor,

Majority Standard Bible
So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sent spies who were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might fasten on some expression of His, so as to hand Him over to the ruling power and the Governor's authority.

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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And having watched [Him], they sent forth ones lying in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of His word, to deliver Him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor,

Berean Literal Bible
And having watched Him, they sent spies, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might catch Him in His word, in order to deliver Him to the rule and to the authority of the governor.

Young's Literal Translation
And, having watched him, they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor,

Smith's Literal Translation
And having observed narrowly, they sent liers-in-wait, feigning themselves to be just, that they might seize upon his word, to deliver him to the beginning and authority of the leader.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And being upon the watch, they sent spies, who should feign themselves just, that they might take hold of him in his words, that they might deliver him up to the authority and power of the governor.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And being attentive, they sent traitors, who would pretend that they were just, so that they might catch him in his words and then hand him over to the power and authority of the procurator.

New American Bible
They watched him closely and sent agents pretending to be righteous who were to trap him in speech, in order to hand him over to the authority and power of the governor.

New Revised Standard Version
So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So they sent spies disguised as righteous men, to ensnare him by a word, and to deliver him to the judge, and then to the authority of the governor.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they sent spies who imitated righteous men to catch him in discourse and to deliver him to the Judge and to the authority of the Governor.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they watched him, and sent spies, who feigned themselves to be just men, that they might take hold of his words, in order to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor.

Godbey New Testament
And laying in wait for Him, they sent sharpers, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might catch his word, in order to turn Him over to the government and authority of the proconsul.

Haweis New Testament
And watching him, they sent men they had suborned, who pretended that they were righteous persons, in order to lay hold of some word of his, that they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.

Mace New Testament
they watch'd then, and suborn'd spies, who under pretence of their tender consciences, might ensnare him in his discourse, and so betray him to the civil power and jurisdiction of the governor.

Weymouth New Testament
So, after impatiently watching their opportunity, they sent spies who were to act the part of good and honest men, that they might fasten on some expression of His, so as to hand Him over to the ruling power and the Governor's authority.

Worrell New Testament
And, watching Him, they sent forth spies, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of His speech, so as to deliver Him up to the rule and the authority of the governor.

Worsley New Testament
And they watched Him and sent out spies, pretending to be righteous men, to lay hold of his words, that they might deliver Him up to the power and authority of the governor.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paying Taxes to Caesar
19When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people. 20So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. 21“Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.…

Cross References
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words. / They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. / So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ...

Mark 12:13-17
Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words. / “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?” / But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.” ...

Matthew 12:14
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

John 8:6
They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger.

Matthew 26:4
and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Psalm 37:32
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Jeremiah 11:19
For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Psalm 56:5-6
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. / They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Psalm 64:2-6
Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity, / who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, / ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear. ...

Isaiah 29:21
those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.

Psalm 10:7-10
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue. / He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. / He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net. ...

Proverbs 1:11
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,


Treasury of Scripture

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.

they watched.

Psalm 37:32,33
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him…

Psalm 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

Isaiah 29:20,21
For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off: …

feign.

2 Samuel 14:2
And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

1 Kings 14:2-6
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people…

Psalm 66:3
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

they might deliver.

Matthew 27:2
And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

John 18:28-32
Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover…

Jump to Previous
Act Acting Authority Catch Close Deliver Expression Fasten Feign Feigned Forth Good Governor Hand Hold Honest Hoped Jesus Jurisdiction Keeping Kept Opportunity Order Part Power Pretended Representatives Righteous Rule Secret Something Speech Spies Statement Themselves Trap Watched Watching Words
Jump to Next
Act Acting Authority Catch Close Deliver Expression Fasten Feign Feigned Forth Good Governor Hand Hold Honest Hoped Jesus Jurisdiction Keeping Kept Opportunity Order Part Power Pretended Representatives Righteous Rule Secret Something Speech Spies Statement Themselves Trap Watched Watching Words
Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














So they watched Him closely
The Greek word for "watched" here is "παρατηρέω" (paratēreō), which implies a careful and insidious observation. This was not a casual glance but a deliberate and intense scrutiny. Historically, this reflects the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders. They were threatened by His teachings and influence, and their surveillance was a calculated effort to find fault. This phrase reminds us of the vigilance of those who oppose truth, and it calls believers to be equally vigilant in their faith and discernment.

and sent spies
The term "spies" comes from the Greek "ἐγκαθέτους" (enkathétous), meaning those who are secretly planted or suborned. This indicates a covert operation, highlighting the deceitful and underhanded tactics of the religious leaders. In a broader scriptural context, this reflects the spiritual warfare that believers face, where the enemy often uses deception. It serves as a reminder to be wise and discerning, as Jesus Himself advised His followers to be "shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16).

who pretended to be sincere
The Greek word "ὑποκρινομαι" (hypokrinomai) is used here, which is the root of the English word "hypocrite." It means to feign or pretend. This highlights the duplicity of the spies, who masked their true intentions with a facade of righteousness. This is a powerful reminder of the dangers of hypocrisy, which Jesus frequently condemned. It calls believers to genuine faith and integrity, living authentically before God and others.

They hoped to catch Him in His words
The phrase "catch Him" translates from the Greek "ἐπιλάβωμαι" (epilabomai), which conveys the idea of seizing or trapping. This reflects the malicious intent of the religious leaders, who sought to ensnare Jesus through His own teachings. Historically, this was a common tactic used against those who challenged the status quo. For believers, it underscores the importance of being grounded in truth and wisdom, as Jesus was, to withstand such traps.

in order to hand Him over
The phrase "hand Him over" is from the Greek "παραδῶσιν" (paradōsin), which means to deliver or betray. This foreshadows the eventual betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. It highlights the ultimate goal of the religious leaders: to remove Jesus by any means necessary. This serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship and the reality of persecution for those who stand for truth.

to the rule and authority of the governor
The "rule and authority" refers to the Roman governance, specifically Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea. The Greek words "ἀρχή" (archē) and "ἐξουσία" (exousia) denote power and jurisdiction. This reflects the political dynamics of the time, where the religious leaders sought to use Roman authority to achieve their ends. It reminds believers of the complex interplay between spiritual and worldly powers and the sovereignty of God over all authorities.

(20-26) And they watched him.--See Notes on Matthew 22:15-22 and Mark 12:13-17.

And sent forth spies.--The noun is, again, one of St. Luke's characteristic words not used by any other New Testament writer. It expresses rather the act of those who lie in ambush, than that of "spies" in the strict sense of the words. St. Luke is, on the one hand, less definite as to the parties to the conspiracy than the other Gospels, and on the other hand more explicit as to its aim. They wanted materials for an accusation before Pilate, as well as for one before the Sanhedrin. On the omission of the name of the Herodians, see Note on Luke 6:11.

Power and authority.--We have again the characteristic combination of the two substantives. (See Note on Luke 12:11.)

Verses 20-26 - The question of the tribute money. Verse 20. - And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take held of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. In their intense hatred, conscious that the populace were on the whole in sympathy with Jesus, the Sanhedrim, to carry out their design on his life, determined to avail themselves of the hated Roman military police. Their hope henceforward is to substantiate a charge of treason against him. This was, in those troublous times, when insurrection against the detested Gentile rule was ever being plotted, a comparatively easy matter. The incident of the tribute money, which immediately follows, was part of this new departure in the Sanhedrin policy respecting the murder they so longed to see carried out.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they watched [Him] closely
παρατηρήσαντες (paratērēsantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3906: To watch, observe scrupulously. From para and tereo; to inspect alongside, i.e. Note insidiously or scrupulously.

[and] sent
ἀπέστειλαν (apesteilan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.

spies
ἐνκαθέτους (enkathetous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1455: A spy. From en and a derivative of kathiemi; subinduced, i.e. Surreptitiously suborned as a lier-in-wait.

who pretended
ὑποκρινομένους (hypokrinomenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5271: To act the part, pretend; I answer, respond. Middle voice from hupo and krino; to decide under a false part, i.e. dissemble.

to be
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

sincere.
δικαίους (dikaious)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1342: From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.

They were hoping
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

to catch [Him]
ἐπιλάβωνται (epilabōntai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1949: To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent).

in His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

words
λόγου (logou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

in order
ὥστε (hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.

to hand Him over
παραδοῦναι (paradounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.

to the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

rule
ἀρχῇ (archē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

authority
ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

governor.
ἡγεμόνος (hēgemonos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2232: From hegeomai; a leader, i.e. Chief person of a province.


Links
Luke 20:20 NIV
Luke 20:20 NLT
Luke 20:20 ESV
Luke 20:20 NASB
Luke 20:20 KJV

Luke 20:20 BibleApps.com
Luke 20:20 Biblia Paralela
Luke 20:20 Chinese Bible
Luke 20:20 French Bible
Luke 20:20 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Luke 20:20 They watched him and sent out spies (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 20:19
Top of Page
Top of Page