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)
These religious leaders weren't just asking a question; they were deploying "spies" – essentially ambush agents – to deliberately "catch" Jesus in his words. Their goal was to twist whatever he said into a capital crime, aiming to hand him over to the Roman governor's jurisdiction.
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)
Jesus has been openly teaching and challenging the religious authorities in the Temple, so they're now actively plotting to arrest him. This verse reveals their strategy: they've sent spies, disguised as sincere seekers of truth, to trick Jesus into saying something that could be twisted into a charge of treason, making him liable to Roman judgment. Their ultimate goal is to hand him over to the Roman governor, because they lack the authority to execute him themselves.
Ever feel like you're navigating a conversation where the other person isn't being fully honest about their intentions? Jesus certainly did.
The religious leaders, filled with hatred, couldn't openly confront Jesus because the crowds supported him. So, they resorted to a cunning plan.
A Calculated Deception
They sent in 'spies'—people secretly commissioned to lie in wait. These weren't just ordinary spies; they were to 'feign themselves just men,' meaning they were to act like devout followers, strictly adhering to the law, and genuinely seeking understanding. Their pretense was to gain Jesus' trust, making him think they were like the earnest disciples who genuinely wanted to learn. This highlights how sin can twist even the appearance of righteousness into a tool for destruction.
What was the ultimate aim behind this elaborate deception? It wasn't just about winning an argument.
The 'spies' weren't just looking for any mistake; their goal was specific: to deliver Jesus to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. They wanted to trap him with his own words in a way that would be interpreted as treason against Rome.
Escalating the Stakes
In those turbulent times, any talk of defying Roman rule was a serious charge. By framing Jesus as a rebel or a threat to Caesar's authority, they could bypass their own limitations and hand him over to the Roman power ('the power and authority of the governor'). This shows a willingness to use the Roman system, which they often resented, to achieve their murderous objectives.
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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.
c. AD 25-36
Pontius Pilate serves as Prefect
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor (or prefect) of Judea, held office during Jesus' ministry. His authority would have been crucial for any legal proceedings against Jesus.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
During this period, Jesus' teachings and actions gained significant popularity, drawing the attention and concern of the religious and political authorities in Jerusalem.
Tuesday of Passion Week, c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus is Questioned in the Temple
The religious leaders, including Pharisees and Herodians, confronted Jesus with tricky questions, aiming to trap him. This specific encounter in Luke 20:20 describes their attempt to elicit a statement that could be used against him with the Roman governor.
Thursday of Passion Week, c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Arrest
Following the escalating tensions and failed attempts to trap him, Jesus was arrested by temple authorities, paving the way for his trial.
Friday of Passion Week, c. AD 30-33
Jesus is Tried and Crucified
Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin and then handed over to Pontius Pilate, who ultimately condemned him to crucifixion. The authorities used charges of sedition, which they had hoped to establish earlier, to secure his death sentence.
This passage parallels Luke's account by describing the Pharisees sending their disciples and the Herodians to 'entrap him in his words,' highlighting the same deliberate plot to catch Jesus in a damaging statement.
Mark 12:13Similar to Luke, Mark records the sending of spies who 'pretended to be sincere' to ensnare Jesus, underscoring the calculated deception used by His enemies.
Psalm 1:1This Psalm contrasts the path of the righteous with the wicked, resonating with the spies who 'pretended to be sincere' while harboring deceitful intentions, revealing the inner character behind outward appearances.
Proverbs 12:18This verse speaks of reckless words that wound, reflecting the danger Jesus faced from the spies who sought to twist His words into an accusation, showing how careless speech can lead to downfall.
Jeremiah 17:9The 'deceitful heart' described here perfectly captures the motivation of the spies who feigned sincerity, reminding us that true intentions are often hidden beneath a facade.
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 asking a question; they were deploying "spies" – essentially ambush agents – to deliberately "catch" Jesus in his words. Their goal was to twist whatever he said into a capital crime, aiming to hand him over to the Roman governor's jurisdiction.
Jesus has been openly teaching and challenging the religious authorities in the Temple, so they're now actively plotting to arrest him. This verse reveals their strategy: they've sent spies, disguised as sincere seekers of truth, to trick Jesus into saying something that could be twisted into a charge of treason, making him liable to Roman judgment. Their ultimate goal is to hand him over to the Roman governor, because they lack the authority to execute him themselves.
Jesus has been openly teaching and challenging the religious authorities in the Temple, so they're now actively plotting to arrest him. This verse reveals their strategy: they've sent spies, disguised as sincere seekers of truth, to trick Jesus into saying something that could be twisted into a charge of treason, making him liable to Roman judgment. Their ultimate goal is to hand him over to the Roman governor, because they lack the authority to execute him themselves.
"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 asking a question; they were deploying "spies" – essentially ambush agents – to deliberately "catch" Jesus in his words. Their goal was to twist whatever he said…
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Last reviewed October 2026