Luke 20:21

Luke 20:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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:
• New International Version (NIV)So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth:

Context of Luke 20:21

19The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction. 20Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23He saw through their trickery and said,

Luke 20:21 word by word

καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· διδάσκαλε, οἴδαμεν ὅτι ὀρθῶς λέγεις καὶ διδάσκεις καὶ οὐ λαμβάνεις πρόσωπον ἀλλ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ θεοῦ διδάσκεις.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• they askedἐπερωτάωeperōtaō · to questionG1905
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Masterδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• we knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• teachestδιδάσκωdidaskō · to teachG1321
• rightlyὀρθῶςorthōs · correctlyG3723
• neitherοὐou · noG3756
• acceptest thouλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• the personπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• the wayὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• ·ἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• trulyἀλήθειαalētheia · truthG225

Cross-references for Luke 20:21

• Psalms 12:2Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
• Psalms 55:21His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
• Jeremiah 42:2Jeremiah the prophet. They said, “Please pray to the Lord your God for us. As you can see, we are only a tiny remnant compared to what we were before.
• Matthew 22:16They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites.
• Matthew 26:49So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
• Mark 12:14“Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
• John 3:2After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
• 2 Corinthians 2:17You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.
• Galatians 1:10Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:4For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
• 2 Chronicles 19:7Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”
• Job 34:19He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all.
• Acts 10:34Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.
• Galatians 2:6And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)

Commentaries on Luke 20:21

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20-38Verses 20-38 See this explained in the Mark 12:13-27 notes.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-26Verses 20-26 Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and will teach our duty to God…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21we know that You speak and teach correctly: These dishonest words of praise were meant to trick Jesus (see Psalms 5:9; 12:2–3; 78:36; Proverbs 26:28; 28:23; 29:5; Ezekiel 12:24).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-4020-26. sent forth--after consulting (Mt 22:15) on the best plan. spies--"of the Pharisees and Herodians" (Mr 12:13). See Mr 3:6.Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 20:21

• Craftiness
• Flattery
• Hypocrisy
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Jesus Christ
• Luke, the Gospel of
• Respect of Persons
• Truth
• Money
• tax, tribute, taxation, taxpayer, tax collector

Commentaries on Luke 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings