Luke 20:20
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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These religious leaders weren't just trying to catch Jesus in a mistake; they were actively sending out "tiers in wait," essentially secret agents disguised as sincere seekers of truth. Their goal was to trap him with his own words, twisting his wisdom into grounds for handing him over to the Roman governor's authority.
Jesus' religious opponents, frustrated by his popularity and unable to refute his teachings, plot to trap him. They send spies, disguised as devout followers, to listen for something he says that could be twisted into a charge of treason against the Roman governor. This move escalates their efforts to have him arrested and handed over to Roman authorities, since they themselves lack the power to execute him.
Jesus had been powerfully teaching and confronting the religious leaders. Now, they were done with debate and ready for a trap. Notice the calculated steps they took.
The religious leaders, known as the Sanhedrin, were furious with Jesus. They couldn't defeat him with their arguments or win over the crowds who loved him. So, they hatched a plan to get rid of him permanently.
A Plot to Capture
Verse 20 reveals their strategy:
The leaders wanted to deliver Jesus to the 'power and authority of the governor.' This wasn't just about local jurisdiction; it pointed to a much higher stake.
The wording here is significant. The leaders wanted to hand Jesus over to:
Understand the original words
enkathetons · Greek Noun
Agents or informers sent to monitor, observe, or entrap someone. They are characterized by their dishonesty and hidden motives in attempting to undermine the subject.
arche · Greek Noun
Legal or administrative power held by a governing official. In the New Testament, it refers to the state's power to exercise judgment and enforce the law over individuals.
This event occurred during a period of intense political and religious scrutiny for Jesus, just days before his crucifixion. The religious leaders, unable to arrest Jesus themselves due to his popularity, deliberately sought to use the Roman governor's power against him by framing him as a political threat.
c. AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Serves as Roman Governor
Pontius Pilate held the position of Roman prefect (governor) over Judea during Jesus' ministry. His authority was the ultimate judicial power in the region, meaning the Jewish leaders needed to bring accusations of sedition to him to have Jesus executed.
Ongoing
Jewish-Roman Tensions
Judea was under Roman occupation, leading to significant political and religious tension. While some Jews collaborated with Rome (like the Herodians), many resented the foreign rule and the Roman presence, creating a volatile atmosphere where accusations of disloyalty were serious.
Tuesday of Passion Week— this verse
Pharisees and Herodians Plot Against Jesus
The religious authorities, including the Pharisees and Herodians (a political faction), conspired to trap Jesus. Realizing their popular support made direct action impossible, they devised a plan to use the Roman governor's authority against him.
Tuesday of Passion Week
This passage describes the Pharisees sending their disciples and Herodians to trap Jesus with a question, mirroring the calculated deception and intent to ensnare Jesus found in Luke 20:20.
Mark 12:13Similar to Luke 20:20, this account details the sending of spies who feign righteousness to catch Jesus in his words, highlighting the persistent and coordinated efforts to entrap him.
Psalm 37:32This verse speaks of the wicked lying in wait for the righteous and seeking to destroy them, which directly reflects the hostile intentions and actions of the religious leaders towards Jesus in Luke 20:20.
Proverbs 12:18This proverb contrasts reckless words that wound with wise words that heal, paralleling the malicious intent behind the spies' carefully crafted questions to ensnare Jesus, compared to Jesus' truthful responses.
vincentLuke 20:20: "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."
WatchedSee on Mark 3:2.Spies (ἐγκαθέτους)Only here in New Testament. From ἐγκαθίμηι, to send in, as a garrison into a city. Hence of persons sent in for the purpose of espionage.Which should feign (ὑποκρινομένους)Lit., feigning. Rev., which feigned. Only here in New Testament.…
barnesLuke 20:20: "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."
See this explained in the Matthew 22:15-33 notes, and Mark 12:13-27 notes.
These religious leaders weren't just trying to catch Jesus in a mistake; they were actively sending out "tiers in wait," essentially secret agents disguised as sincere seekers of truth. Their goal was to trap him with his own words, twisting his wisdom into grounds for handing him over to the Roman governor's authority.
Jesus' religious opponents, frustrated by his popularity and unable to refute his teachings, plot to trap him. They send spies, disguised as devout followers, to listen for something he says that could be twisted into a charge of treason against the Roman governor. This move escalates their efforts to have him arrested and handed over to Roman authorities, since they themselves lack the power to execute him.
Jesus' religious opponents, frustrated by his popularity and unable to refute his teachings, plot to trap him. They send spies, disguised as devout followers, to listen for something he says that could be twisted into a charge of treason against the Roman governor. This move escalates their efforts to have him arrested and handed over to Roman authorities, since they themselves lack the power to execute him.
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Why Appeal to Rome?
The Jewish leaders, especially the Sanhedrin, had significant religious authority. However, they lacked the legal power to execute someone. They needed the Romans for that.
Their goal was to present Jesus as a political threat – someone undermining Roman rule. This was a calculated move, knowing that Pilate would likely respond harshly to any perceived rebellion. They were essentially trying to frame Jesus for treason, a crime punishable by death under Roman law. This highlights the deadly seriousness of the situation and the lengths to which Jesus' enemies would go.
The Question of Tribute Money
Jesus was asked by spies, pretending to be sincere seekers of truth, whether it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar. This was a deliberately crafted trap to force Jesus into making a statement that could be used against him by either the Jewish authorities or the Roman governor.
Tuesday of Passion Week
Jesus' Response and Silence of Opponents
Jesus masterfully answered the question, distinguishing between civic and divine responsibilities. His response cleverly evaded their trap, leaving his questioners astonished and silenced before the crowds.
"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." — These religious leaders weren't just trying to catch Jesus in a mistake; they were actively sending out "tiers in wait," essentially secret agents disguised as sincere seekers of truth. Their goal wa…
