Discovery BoxLuke 20:19-21 
Context20:19 Then 1 the experts in the law 2 and the chief priests wanted to arrest 3 him that very hour, because they realized he had told this parable against them. But 4 they were afraid of the people.
20:20 Then 5 they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. 6 They wanted to take advantage of what he might say 7 so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction 8 of the governor. 20:21 Thus 9 they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, 10 and show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 11
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
2 tn Or “The scribes” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
3 tn Grk “tried to lay hands on him.”
4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
6 tn Grk “righteous,” but in this context the point is their false sincerity.
7 tn Grk “so that they might catch him in some word.”
8 tn This word is often translated “authority” in other contexts, but here, in combination with ἀρχή (arch), it refers to the domain or sphere of the governor’s rule (L&N 37.36).
9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the plans by the spies.
10 tn Or “precisely”; Grk “rightly.” Jesus teaches exactly, the straight and narrow.
11 sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question was specifically designed to trap Jesus.
