Book of Luke - Chapter 20 - Verse 20

The verse "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," describes a deceptive plan by Jesus' enemies to trap him with his own words in order to have him arrested and handed over to the governing authorities. This verse captures the cunning and deceitful tactics used by those who were threatened by Jesus' teachings and authority. The spies were tasked with pretending to be righteous individuals in order to gain Jesus' trust and then twist his words to make him appear guilty in the eyes of the law. This narrative highlights the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious and political leaders of his time, who sought to undermine his message and discredit his authority. Ultimately, this verse serves as a reminder of the challenges and opposition faced by those who stand up for righteousness and truth in the face of powerful adversaries.

Within this verse, there is a clear indication of the hostility and deception aimed towards Jesus by the religious leaders of the time. The word "spies" in the original Greek refers to those who carefully observe and scrutinize. The religious leaders did not approach Jesus openly but sent individuals pretending to be righteous in order to trap him with his words. This deceptive tactic was designed to find something incriminating to use against Jesus and ultimately deliver him to the Roman authorities for punishment. The phrase "take hold of his words" suggests a deliberate twisting or misrepresentation of Jesus' teachings to suit their own agenda. The religious leaders sought to discredit Jesus and undermine his authority by any means necessary, even if it meant resorting to deceitful tactics. This verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of hypocrisy and manipulation in the pursuit of power, as well as the importance of discerning the true intentions behind seemingly righteous actions.