Luke 20 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1On one of the days (en mia ton emeron). Luke's favourite way of indicating time. It was the last day of the temple teaching (Tuesday). Lu 20:1-19 is to be compared with Mr 11:27-12:12; Mt 21:23-46 .
There came upon him (epestesan). Second aorist active indicative, ingressive aorist of ephistem, old and common verb, stood up against him, with the notion of sudden appearance. These leaders (cf. 19:47) had determined to attack Jesus on this morning, both Sadducees (chief priests) and Pharisees (scribes), a formal delegation from the Sanhedrin.
2Tell us (eipon emin). Luke adds these words to what Mark and Matthew have. Second aorist active imperative for the old form eipe and with ending -on of the first aorist active. Westcott and Hort punctuate the rest of the sentence as an indirect question after eipon, but the Revised Version puts a semicolon after "us" and retains the direct question. The Greek manuscripts have no punctuation.
3Question (logon). Literally, word. So in Mr 11:29; Mt 21:24 .
5They reasoned with themselves (sunelogisanto). First aorist middle of sullogizoma, to bring together accounts, an old word, only here in the N.T. Mark and Matthew have dielogizonto (imperfect middle of dialogizoma, a kindred verb, to reckon between one another, confer). This form (dielogizonto) in verse 14 below.
If we shall say (ean eipomen). Third-class condition with second aorist active subjunctive. Suppose we say! So in verse 6.
6Will stone us (katalithase). Late verb and here only in the N.T. Literally, will throw stones down on us, stone us down, overwhelm us with stones.
They be persuaded (pepeismenos estin). Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of peitho, to persuade, a settled state of persuasion, "is persuaded" (no reason for use of "be" here).
That John was a prophet (Ioanen propheten eina). Accusative and infinitive in indirect assertion.
7That they knew not (me eidena). Accusative and infinitive in indirect assertion again with the negative me rather than ou.
9Vineyard (ampelona). Late word from ampelos (vine), place of vines. So in Mr 12:1; Mt 21:33 .
Let it out (exedeto). Second aorist middle of ekdidom, but with variable vowel e in place of o of the stem do (exedoto). Same form in Mark and Matthew.
For a long time (chronous ikanous). Accusative of extent of time, considerable times or periods of time. Not in Mark and Matthew, though all three have apedemesen (went off from home). See on Lu 7:6 for ikanos.
10At the season (kairo). The definite season for the fruit like o kairos ton karpon (Mt 21:34 ). That they should give (ina dosousin). Future indicative with ina for purpose like the aorist subjunctive, though not so frequent.
11He sent yet another (prosetheto eteron pempsa). Literally,
he added to send another . A clear Hebraism repeated in verse 12 and also in 19:11.
12They wounded (traumatisantes). First aorist active participle of traumatizo. An old verb, from trauma, a wound, but in the N.T. only here and Ac 19:16 .
13What shall I do? (T poieso;). Deliberative future indicative or aorist subjunctive (same form). This detail only in Luke. Note the variations in all three Gospels. All three have "will reverence" (entrapesonta) for which see Matthew and Mark.
It may be (isos). Perhaps, from isos, equal. Old adverb, but only here in the N.T.
14That the inheritance may be ours (ina emon geneta e kleronomia). That the inheritance may become (geneta, second aorist middle subjunctive of ginoma). Here Mt 21:39 has schomen "let us get, ingressive aorist active subjunctive." Cf. echomen, present subjunctive of the same verb echo in Ro 5:1; Mr 12:7 has "and it will be ours" (esta).
16God forbid (me genoito). Optative of wish about the future with me. Literally,
may it not happen . No word "God" in the Greek. This was the pious protest of the defeated members of the Sanhedrin who began to see the turn of the parable against themselves.
17He looked upon them (emblepsas autois). Not in Mark and Matthew. First aorist active participle of emblepo, to look on. It was a piercing glance. The scripture quoted is from Ps 118:22 and is in Mr 11:10; Mt 21:42 , which see for the inverted attraction of the case lithon (stone) to that of the relative on (which).
18Shall be broken to pieces (sunthlastheseta). Future passive indicative of sunthlao, a rather late compound, only here in the N.T. unless Mt 21:44 is genuine. It means to shatter.
Will scatter him as dust (likmese). From likmao, an old verb to winnow and then to grind to powder. Only here in the N.T. unless in Mt 21:44 is genuine, which see.
19To lay hands on him (epibalein ep' auton tas cheiras). Second aorist active infinitive of epiballo, an old verb and either transitively as here or intransitively as in Mr 4:37 . Vivid picture here where Mr 12:12; Mt 21:46 has "to seize" (kratesa).
In that very hour (en aute te ora). Luke's favourite idiom, in the hour itself. Not in Mark or Matthew and shows that the Sanhedrin were angry enough to force the climax then.
And they feared (ka ephobethesan). Adversative use of ka = but they feared. Hence they refrained.
For they perceived (egnosan gar). The reason for their rage. Second aorist active indicative of ginosko.
Against them (pros autous). As in Mr 12:12 . The cap fitted them and they saw it.
20They watched him (parateresantes). First aorist active participle of paratereo, a common Greek verb to watch on the side or insidiously or with evil intent as in Lu 6:7 (pareterounto) of the scribes and Pharisees. See on Mr 3:2 . There is no "him" in the Greek. They were watching their chance.
Spies (enkathetous). An old verbal adjective from enkathiem, 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 (upokrinomenous eautous). 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 (ina epilabonta autou logou). Second aorist middle of epilambano, an old verb for seizing hold with the hands and uses as here the genitive case. These spies are for the purpose of (ina) 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" (oste paradouna auton). Second aorist active infinitive of paradidom, 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 egemonos). 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.
21Rightly (orthos). Matthew (Mt 22:16 ) notes that these "spies" were "disciples" (students) of the Pharisees and Mark (Mr 12:13 ) adds that the Herodians are also involved in the plot. These bright theologues are full of palaver and flattery and openly endorse the teaching of Jesus as part of their scheme.
Acceptest not the person of any (ou lambaneis prosopon). Dost not take the face (or personal appearance) as the test. It is a Hebraism from which the word prosopolempsia (Jas 2:1 ) comes. Originally it meant to lift the face, to lift the countenance, to regard the face, to accept the face value. See Mr 12:13-17; Mt 22:15-22 for discussion of details here. They both have blepeis here.
22Tribute (phoron). Old word for the annual tax on land, houses, etc. Mark and Matthew have kenson, which see for this Latin word in Greek letters. The picture on the coin may have been that of Tiberius.
23Perceived (katanoesas). From katanoeo, to put the mind down on. Mark has eidos, "knowing," and Matthew gnous, coming to know or grasping (second aorist active participle of ginosko).
Craftiness (panourgian). Old word for doing any deed. Matthew has "wickedness" (ponerian) and Mark "hypocrisy" (upokrisin). Unscrupulous they certainly were. They would stoop to any trick and go the limit.
26They were not able (ouk ischusan). They did not have strength. An old verb ischuo from ischus (strength). They failed "to take hold (cf. verse 20) of the saying before the people." These "crack" students had made an ignominious failure and were not able to make a case for the surrender of Jesus to Pilate. He had slipped through their net with the utmost ease.
Held their peace (esigesan). Ingressive aorist active of sigao. They became silent as they went back with the "dry grins."
27There is no resurrection (anastasin me eina). Accusative and infinitive with negative me in indirect assertion. The Sadducees rally after the complete discomfiture of the Pharisees and Herodians. They had a stock conundrum with which they had often gotten a laugh on the Pharisees. So they volunteer to try it on Jesus. For discussion of details here see on Mt 22:23-33; Mr 12:18-27 . Only a few striking items remain for Luke.
33Had her (eschon). Constative second aorist indicative of echo including all seven seriatim. So Mt 22:28; Mr 12:33 To wife (gunaika). As wife, accusative in apposition with "her."
36Equal unto the angels (isangelo). A rare and late word from isos, equal, and angelos. Only here in the N.T. Mark and Matthew have "as angels" (os angelo). Angels do not marry, there is no marriage in heaven.
Sons of God, being sons of the resurrection (uio theou tes anastaseos uio ontes). This Hebraistic phrase, "sons of the resurrection" defines "sons of God" and is a direct answer to the Sadducees.
37Even Moses (ka Mouses). Moses was used by the Sadducees to support their denial of the resurrection. This passage (Ex 3:6 ) Jesus skilfully uses as a proof of the resurrection. See discussion on Mt 22:32; Mr 12:26f .
39Certain of the scribes (tines ton grammateon). Pharisees who greatly enjoyed this use by Jesus of a portion of the Pentateuch against the position of the Sadducees. So they praise the reply of Jesus, hostile though they are to him.
40They durst not any more (ouket etolmon ouden). Double negative and imperfect active of tolmao. The courage of Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians vanished.
41How say they? (Pos legousin;). The Pharisees had rallied in glee and one of their number, a lawyer, had made a feeble contribution to the controversy which resulted in his agreement with Jesus and in praise from Jesus (Mr 12:28-34; Mt 27:34-40 ). Luke does not give this incident which makes it plain that by "they say" (legousin) Jesus refers to the Pharisees (rabbis, lawyers), carrying on the discussion and turning the tables on them while the Pharisees are still gathered together (Mt 22:41 ). The construction with legousin is the usual infinitive and the accusative in indirect discourse. By "the Christ" (ton Christon) "the Messiah" is meant.
42For David himself (autos gar Daueid). This language of Jesus clearly means that he treats David as the author of Ps 110 . The inspiration of this Psalm is expressly stated in Mr 12:36; Mt 22:43 (which see) and the Messianic character of the Psalm in all three Synoptics who all quote the LXX practically alike. Modern criticism that denies the Davidic authorship of this Psalm has to say either that Jesus was ignorant of the fact about it or that he declined to disturb the current acceptation of the Davidic authorship. Certainly modern scholars are not agreed on the authorship of Ps 110 . Meanwhile one can certainly be excused for accepting the natural implication of the words of Jesus here, "David himself."
In the book of the Psalms (en biblo Psalmon). Compare 3:4 "in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet."
44David therefore (Daueid oun). Without e as in Mt 22:45 . On the basis of this definite piece of exegesis (oun, therefore) Jesus presses the problem (pos, how) for an explanation. The deity and the humanity of the Messiah in Ps 110 are thus set forth, the very problems that disturbed the rabbis then and that upset many critics today.
45In the hearing of all the people (akouontos pantos tou laou). Genitive absolute, "while all the people were listening" (present active participle). That is the time to speak. The details in this verse and verse 47 are precisely those given in Mr 12:38f. , which see for discussion of details. Mt 23:1-39 has a very full and rich description of this last phase of the debate in the temple where Jesus drew a full-length portrait of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes in their presence. It was a solemn climax to this last public appearance of Christ in the temple when Jesus poured out the vials of his indignation as he had done before (Mt 16:2; Lu 11:37-54; 12-1 ).
Luke 21