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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Luke 20:20 - 20:20
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
They watched him (paratērēsantes). First aorist active participle of paratēreō, a common Greek verb to watch on the side or insidiously or with evil intent as in Luk 6:7 (paretērounto) of the scribes and Pharisees. See note on Mar 3:2. There is no “him” in the Greek. They were watching their chance.
Spies (enkathetous). An old verbal adjective from enkathiēmi, to send down in or secretly. It means liers in wait who are suborned to spy out, one who is hired to trap one by crafty words. Only here in the N.T.
Feigned themselves (hupokrinomenous heautous). Hypocritically professing to be “righteous” (dikaious). “They posed as scrupulous persons with a difficulty of conscience” (Plummer).
That they might take hold of his speech (hina epilabōntai autou logou). Second aorist middle of epilambanō, an old verb for seizing hold with the hands and uses as here the genitive case. These spies are for the purpose of (hina) catching hold of the talk of Jesus if they can get a grip anywhere. This is their direct purpose and the ultimate purpose or result is also stated, “so as to deliver him up” (hōste paradounai auton). Second aorist active infinitive of paradidōmi, to hand over, to give from one’s side to another. The trap is all set now and ready to be sprung by these “spies.”
Of the governor (tou hēgemonos). The Sanhedrin knew that Pilate would have to condemn Jesus if he were put to death. So then all their plans focus on this point as the goal. Luke alone mentions this item here.