Sending Spies on Jesus - Luke 20:20

The beloved physician Luke wrote concerning Jesus, “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”, and in chapter twenty and verse twenty of his book Luke shared how the religious leaders, “watched him, and sent forth spies” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words” Luke began with the words, “and they watched him” or “and the chief priests and scribes attended to Jesus with their eyes and carefully observed Him”, “and sent forth spies” which means “and dismissed and dispatched those who secretly lie in wait to entrap others by crafty words”, “which should feign themselves just men” or “who should pretend, simulate and impersonate their own selves as righteous male human beings who are virtuous and observe divine laws” “that they might take hold of his words” which means “so the spies might overtake and seize Jesus pertaining to His speech and sayings”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” dispatched “secret men” whose purpose was to catch Jesus saying something they might use against Him.

The verse continues, “... that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.” Luke added the words, “that so they might deliver him” or “toward giving over, condemning, punishing, scourging and tormenting Jesus” “unto the power” which means “toward the principality, rule and magistracy” “and authority” or “and power of choice and liberty” “of the governor” which means “pertaining to the leader, guide, ruler, prefect, president, chief, general, commander and sovereign”. Luke shared how the “spies” wanted to “catch” Jesus in His words so they could “deliver Him” over to the ruling authorities and powers of government.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we discover how desperate these “religious leaders” were who desired to “rid” themselves of Jesus and His influence. They acquired “spies” against Jesus whose only mission was to “catch” Him in some saying or act that would permit them to turn Jesus over to the governing authorities. Jesus knew this, and He continued with His purpose to “save” people from their sins. Without “sins” being forgiven, every person would be forever separated from God, and regardless of whether people attempted to “catch” Jesus in His words and deeds or not, He desired to bring them into a personal relationship with His Father God.

Next time Luke shares how the religious leaders began to speak to Jesus, “saying, Master, we know that you say and teach rightly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".