Luke 20:2

20:1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

KJV

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They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

And spoke to him, saying, Tell us, by what authority do you these things? or who is he that gave you this authority?

20:3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

What does Luke 20:2 mean?

Luke 20:2 is a verse in the book of Luke, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include καί (kai), λέγω (epo), πρός (pros). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

spakeλέγωepo/ep'-o/G2036a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare 3004.

untoπρόςpros/pros/G4314a strengthened form of 4253; 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, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.

him,αὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.

saying,λέγωlego/leg'-o/G3004a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

Tellλέγωepo/ep'-o/G2036a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare 3004.

us,ἐγώhemin/hay-meen'/G2254dative case plural of 1473; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we.

byἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

whatποῖοςpoios/poy'-os/G4169from the base of 4226 and 3634; individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one:--what (manner of), which.

authorityἐξουσίαexousia/ex-oo-see'-ah/G1849from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

doest

thouποιέωpoieo/poy-eh'-o/G4160apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare 4238.

these

things?οὗτοςtauta/tow'-tah/G5023nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.

orἤe/ay/G2228a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially 2235, 2260, 2273.

whoτίςtis/tis/G5101probably emphatic of 5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.

heεἰμίesti/es-tee'/G2076third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.

that

gaveδίδωμιdidomi/did'-o-mee/G1325a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.

theeσύsoi/soy/G4671dative case of 4771; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.

thisοὗτοςtauteG5026tauten tow'-tane, and tautes tow'-tace dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of 3778; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).

authority?ἐξουσίαexousia/ex-oo-see'-ah/G1849from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

Commentary on Luke 20:2

HENRY_FULL · Luke 20:2

e.20.19">ver. 9-19 . III. Christ's answer to the question proposed to him concerning the lawfulness of paying tribute to Cæsar, ver. 20-26 . IV. His vindication of that great fundamental doctrine of the Jewish and Christian institutes—the resurrection of the dead and the future state, from the foolish cavils of the Sadducees, ver. 27-38 . V. His puzzling the scribes with a question concerning the Messiah's being the Son of David, ver. 39-44 . VI. The caution he gave his disciples to take heed of the scribes, ver. 45-47 . All which passages we had before in Matthew and Mark, and therefore need not enlarge upon them here, unless on those particulars which we had not there. Christ's Enemies Nonplussed. 1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us,

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 2:14

And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. a prince: Heb. a man, a prince

Matthew 21:23

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Mark 11:28

And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

Luke 19:35

And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

Luke 19:45

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

Luke 19:46

Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

John 2:18

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

John 5:22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Acts 4:7

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Acts 7:27

But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Topics

Instruction

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Luke 20:2.

Mark 13:17

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. they: or, his name shall be called

Matthew 10:42

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Matthew 14:26

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

Matthew 14:31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Matthew 16:2

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

Matthew 17:9

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Matthew 18:10

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Frequently asked questions

What does Luke 20:2 say?

Luke 20:2 (King James Version) reads: "And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?"

Is Luke 20:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Luke 20:2 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Luke.

Reflect

As you read Luke 20:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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