Luke 20:39
New International Version
Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!”

New Living Translation
“Well said, Teacher!” remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there.

English Standard Version
Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.”

Berean Standard Bible
Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!”

Berean Literal Bible
And some of the scribes answering, said, "Teacher, you have spoken well."

King James Bible
Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

New King James Version
Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

New American Standard Bible
Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

NASB 1995
Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

NASB 1977
And some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

Amplified Bible
Some of the scribes replied, “Teacher, you have spoken well [so that there is no room for blame].”

Christian Standard Bible
Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well.”

American Standard Version
And certain of the scribes answering said, Teacher, thou hast well said.

Contemporary English Version
Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses said, "Teacher, you have given a good answer!"

English Revised Version
And certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some scribes responded, "Teacher, that was well said."

Good News Translation
Some of the teachers of the Law spoke up, "A good answer, Teacher!"

International Standard Version
Then some of the scribes replied, "Teacher, you have given a fine answer."

Majority Standard Bible
Some of the scribes answered, ?Teacher, You have spoken well!?

NET Bible
Then some of the experts in the law answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well!"

New Heart English Bible
Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you speak well."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then certain of the scribes answering, said, Master, thou hast well said.

Weymouth New Testament
Then some of the Scribes replied, "Rabbi, you have spoken well."

World English Bible
Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And certain of the scribes answering said, “Teacher, You said well”;

Berean Literal Bible
And some of the scribes answering, said, "Teacher, you have spoken well."

Young's Literal Translation
And certain of the scribes answering said, 'Teacher, thou didst say well;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And certain of the scribes having answered, said, Teacher, thou speakest well.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And some of the scribes answering, said to him: Master, thou hast said well.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then some of the scribes, in response, said to him, “Teacher, you have spoken well.”

New American Bible
Some of the scribes said in reply, “Teacher, you have answered well.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And some of the men of the scribes answered and said to him, Teacher, you have well said.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And some of the Scribes answered, and they were saying to him, “Teacher, you have spoken beautifully.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And certain of the scribes answered and said: Teacher, thou hast answered well.

Godbey New Testament
And certain of the scribes responding said; Teacher, you spoke beautifully.

Haweis New Testament
Then some of the scribes addressing him said, Master, admirably hast thou spoken!

Mace New Testament
which some of the Scribes approving, said to him, master, what you maintain is very just:

Weymouth New Testament
Then some of the Scribes replied, "Rabbi, you have spoken well."

Worrell New Testament
And some of the scribes, answering, said, "Teacher, Thou spakest well;"

Worsley New Testament
And some of the scribes replied, Master, thou hast indeed said right.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” 39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!” 40And they did not dare to question Him any further.…

Cross References
Matthew 22:34-40
And when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they themselves gathered together. / One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question: / “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” ...

Mark 12:28-34
Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” / Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ...

Acts 23:6-9
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” / As soon as he had said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. / For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. ...

Matthew 22:23-33
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him. / “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. ...

Mark 12:18-27
Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him: / “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. ...

Acts 4:1-2
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, / greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

Acts 5:17
Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out

Acts 23:8
For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

Romans 7:1-6
Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? / For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man. ...

1 Corinthians 15:12-19
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? / If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. / And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. ...

Exodus 3:6
Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Exodus 3:15-16
God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. / Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. / And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.


Treasury of Scripture

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, you have well said.

thou.

Matthew 22:34-40
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together…

Mark 12:28-34
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? …

Acts 23:9
And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

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Law Master Rabbi Responded Scribes Speak Teacher Teachers
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.














Some of the scribes
The scribes were experts in the Jewish Law, often associated with the Pharisees. They were responsible for copying, teaching, and interpreting the Scriptures. In the context of first-century Judea, scribes held significant religious authority and were often involved in debates about the Law. Their acknowledgment here is noteworthy because it shows a rare moment of agreement with Jesus, who often challenged their interpretations and practices.

answered
The Greek word used here is "ἀποκριθείς" (apokritheis), which means to respond or reply. This indicates a direct engagement with Jesus' teaching. The scribes' response suggests that they were impressed or at least momentarily convinced by Jesus' wisdom, which is significant given their usual opposition to Him.

Teacher
The term "Teacher" (Greek: "Διδάσκαλε," Didaskale) is a respectful title acknowledging Jesus' authority and knowledge. Despite their frequent confrontations with Him, the scribes here recognize Jesus' role as a teacher. This acknowledgment is significant because it reflects a moment of respect and recognition of His authority in interpreting the Scriptures.

You have spoken well
This phrase is an expression of approval and agreement. The Greek word for "well" is "καλῶς" (kalōs), which can mean rightly, correctly, or commendably. The scribes' commendation of Jesus' response to the Sadducees' question about the resurrection (in the preceding verses) highlights the wisdom and authority of His teaching. It underscores the truth and clarity with which Jesus addressed complex theological issues, leaving even His critics momentarily without rebuttal.

(39) Master, thou hast well said.--The words came, it is obvious, from the better section of the Pharisees, who welcomed this new defence of the doctrine on which their faith rested.

Verses 39, 40. - Then certain of the scribes answering, said, Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. "This prompt and sublime answer filled with admiration the scribes, who had so often sought this decisive word in Hoses without finding it; they cannot restrain themselves from testifying their joyful surprise. Aware from this time forth that every snare laid for him will be the occasion for a glorious manifestation of his wisdom, they give up this method of attack" (Godet).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Some
τινες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

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

scribes
γραμματέων (grammateōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1122: From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.

answered,
Ἀποκριθέντες (Apokrithentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“Teacher,
Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

you have spoken
εἶπας (eipas)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

well!”
καλῶς (kalōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2573: Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.


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Luke 20:38
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