Luke 11:54
lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Luke 11:54
lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse reveals the calculated malice behind the attacks on Jesus. Far from spontaneous arguments, these religious leaders were on a deliberate "hunt," setting traps with their questions to ensnare him and twist his words into grounds for accusation. It shows the intense opposition Jesus faced, not for wrongdoing, but for speaking truth.
Jesus has just delivered a scathing denunciation of the Pharisees and their lawyers for their hypocrisy and neglect of justice and love. In response, these religious leaders become actively hostile, plotting to trap Jesus with his own words. They are not seeking truth but looking for any excuse to condemn him, sending out spies to catch him saying something that could be twisted into an accusation, either before the Jewish council or the Roman authorities.
Jesus’ critics weren't just disagreeing; they were actively plotting. They weren't looking for truth, but for a weapon.
The original language paints a vivid picture here, using words related to hunting and setting traps. These religious leaders weren't engaged in honest debate. They were actively 'lying in wait' and 'hunting' for any word Jesus might say that they could twist and use against him. Their goal was to find a charge, a way to condemn Him, whether for heresy or sedition.
The Trap of Words
This highlights a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare: the battle for truth often involves the manipulation of words. When people are set on discrediting someone or something they oppose, they will search relentlessly for any perceived flaw or misstatement to exploit.
Despite the intense scrutiny and malice, Jesus remained calm and truthful. His enemies found no fault, a testament to His divine wisdom.
The relentless pursuit of Jesus by these accusers is striking. They were a group, likely sent from Jerusalem, with the specific purpose of trapping Him (as Mark 12:13 mentions). They hoped to catch Him in a slip of the tongue, something that could be twisted into an accusation before religious or Roman authorities.
Unassailable Truth
Yet, time and again, they failed. Jesus’ words were consistently pure, wise, and peaceful. He navigated their traps with such grace and truth that His adversaries were often left confounded. This wasn't just human cleverness; it demonstrated His unique insight and His perfect alignment with God’s will.
This verse captures the intense political and religious tension Jesus faced as authorities sought any pretext to arrest and condemn him.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering followers, challenging religious authorities.
Early 1st century AD
Religious Opposition Grows
Pharisees and other religious leaders become increasingly concerned and hostile towards Jesus' teachings and growing popularity.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Sent Commission of Enquiry
A special group, likely including Pharisees and scribes, is sent from Jerusalem to observe Jesus and find fault with his ministry.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Denounces Religious Hypocrisy
Jesus publicly rebukes the Pharisees and lawyers for their hypocrisy and neglect of justice and the love of God.
This passage directly parallels Luke's account, showing the same calculated effort by religious leaders to trap Jesus with his words, specifically by asking about paying taxes to Caesar.
John 7:45-52Here, the temple guards reveal the leaders' intent to arrest Jesus, highlighting their frustration that 'none of you has seized him' and their search for a pretext, mirroring the 'lying in wait' described in Luke.
Acts 6:11-14This shows a similar pattern where false witnesses are suborned to accuse Stephen, demonstrating how 'they secretly prompted people' to speak against him, much like the plot against Jesus.
Psalm 37:30This verse speaks of the righteous person's mouth uttering wisdom and their tongue speaking justice, providing a beautiful contrast to the malicious intent of those seeking to trap Jesus' words.
jfbLuke 11:37-54: "And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat."
Lu 11:37-54. Denunciation of the Pharisees.
ellicottLuke 11:54: "Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him."
(54) Laying wait for him. —The better MSS. give the verse in a somewhat simpler form, laying wait to catch something out of His mouth. The words throw light on the subsequent question about paying tribute to Cæsar ( Matthew 22:15-22 ; Mark 12:13-17 ), and show it to have been the acting out of a pre-concerted policy.
This verse reveals the calculated malice behind the attacks on Jesus. Far from spontaneous arguments, these religious leaders were on a deliberate "hunt," setting traps with their questions to ensnare him and twist his words into grounds for accusation. It shows the intense opposition Jesus faced, not for wrongdoing, but for speaking truth.
Jesus has just delivered a scathing denunciation of the Pharisees and their lawyers for their hypocrisy and neglect of justice and love. In response, these religious leaders become actively hostile, plotting to trap Jesus with his own words. They are not seeking truth but looking for any excuse to condemn him, sending out spies to catch him saying something that could be twisted into an accusation, either before the Jewish council or the Roman authorities.
Jesus has just delivered a scathing denunciation of the Pharisees and their lawyers for their hypocrisy and neglect of justice and love. In response, these religious leaders become actively hostile, plotting to trap Jesus with his own words. They are not seeking truth but looking for any excuse to condemn him, sending out spies to catch him saying something that could be twisted into an accusation, either before the Jewish council or the Roman authorities.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 11:54 is available in the Sola app.
"lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say." — This verse reveals the calculated malice behind the attacks on Jesus. Far from spontaneous arguments, these religious leaders were on a deliberate "hunt," setting traps with their questions to ensnar…