King James Version

What Does Luke 20:19 Mean?

Luke 20:19 in the King James Version says “And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they per... — study this verse from Luke chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

Luke 20:19 · KJV


Context

17

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

19

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

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.

21

And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly : truly: or, of a truth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They perceived that he had spoken this parable against them—The religious leaders' immediate recognition (ἔγνωσαν, egnōsan, 'they knew') that Jesus's parable of the wicked tenants condemned them demonstrates their guilt-laden consciences. Luke emphasizes the temporal urgency: the same hour (ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ, en autē tē hōra) they sought to arrest him.

Yet they feared the people (ἐφοβήθησαν τὸν λαόν, ephobēthēsan ton laon)—a theme throughout Luke's passion narrative. The religious elite recognized Jesus's prophetic indictment but were constrained by political expediency rather than convicted unto repentance. Their desire to lay hands on him foreshadows the arrest in Gethsemane.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurs during Holy Week (circa AD 30), in the Jerusalem temple courts where Jesus taught publicly. The Sanhedrin's power was real but limited by Roman oversight and popular sentiment—Jesus's Galilean following and recent triumphal entry made him politically dangerous to arrest openly.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you recognized truth but suppressed it due to fear of consequences or loss of status?
  2. How does political calculation corrupt spiritual leadership, and what safeguards protect against this?
  3. What does the leaders' immediate recognition of Jesus's parable reveal about the clarity of their guilt?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐζήτησαν2 of 29

sought

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

οἱ3 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖς4 of 29

the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ5 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γραμματεῖς7 of 29

the scribes

G1122

a professional writer

ἐπιβαλεῖν8 of 29

to lay

G1911

to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with g1438 implied) to reflect; impersonal

ἐπ'9 of 29

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτοὺς10 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὰς11 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρας12 of 29

hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἐν13 of 29

the same

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοὺς14 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τῇ15 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὥρᾳ16 of 29

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

καὶ17 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐφοβήθησαν18 of 29

they feared

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

τὸν19 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαόν20 of 29

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

ἔγνωσαν21 of 29

they perceived

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

γὰρ22 of 29

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὅτι23 of 29

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

πρὸς24 of 29

against

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοὺς25 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὴν26 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παραβολὴν27 of 29

parable

G3850

a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage

ταύτην28 of 29
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

εἶπεν29 of 29

he had spoken

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 20:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 20:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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