Luke 20:7 - They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 20:7" mean?
The verse "They answered that they didn’t know where it was from" (Luke 20:7) refers to the response of the chief priests and scribes to a question posed by Jesus. To understand its significance, we need to look at the context.
Here's the situation:
Jesus' Authority Challenged: Jesus had just entered Jerusalem and was teaching in the Temple. The chief priests, scribes, and elders (the religious authorities) challenged his authority. They demanded to know by what authority he was acting. (Luke 20:1-2)
Jesus' Counter-Question: Instead of directly answering them, Jesus responded with a question of his own: "Was John's baptism from heaven, or of human origin?" (Luke 20:3-4) John the Baptist was a prophet who had baptized many, including Jesus.
The Dilemma: The chief priests and scribes found themselves in a bind. They realized that answering Jesus' question honestly would be problematic for them:
If they said John's baptism was from heaven (divine authority): Jesus would ask, "Then why didn't you believe him?" (Luke 20:5). They had rejected John's message and baptism, making them look hypocritical.
If they said John's baptism was of human origin: They feared the people, who believed John was a prophet. (Luke 20:6). They would risk a riot or public backlash.
The Evasive Answer: Because they couldn't answer without incriminating themselves, they chose to avoid the question altogether. They feigned ignorance, saying, "We don’t know where it was from." (Luke 20:7).
Therefore, the meaning of "They answered that they didn’t know where it was from" is that the religious leaders were being disingenuous and evasive. They refused to answer Jesus' question about the origin of John's baptism because they knew it would expose their hypocrisy and undermine their authority. They prioritized self-preservation and maintaining their power over honesty and truth.
Significance of the verse:
Exposes Hypocrisy: The passage reveals the hypocrisy and lack of integrity of the religious leaders. They were more concerned with public opinion and maintaining their position than with seeking the truth.
Highlights Jesus' Wisdom: Jesus' clever question exposed their insincerity. He used their own tactics against them, trapping them in a logical dilemma.
Demonstrates Authority: Jesus' authority is implicitly affirmed. By avoiding his question, the religious leaders acknowledged they were afraid of the implications of his teachings and actions. They dared not answer because of what it would reveal about them or what the people would think.
Foreshadows Conflict: This exchange foreshadows the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, which would ultimately lead to his arrest and crucifixion.
In short, the verse signifies the religious leaders' calculated dishonesty and their refusal to acknowledge the truth about Jesus and John the Baptist. It's a pivotal moment in the Gospel that highlights the tension between truth and power, and the moral failings of those who prioritized the latter.
Luke 20:7 - They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.
What does "Luke 20:7" mean?
The verse "They answered that they didn’t know where it was from" (Luke 20:7) refers to the response of the chief priests and scribes to a question posed by Jesus. To understand its significance, we need to look at the context.
Here's the situation:
Jesus' Authority Challenged: Jesus had just entered Jerusalem and was teaching in the Temple. The chief priests, scribes, and elders (the religious authorities) challenged his authority. They demanded to know by what authority he was acting. (Luke 20:1-2)
Jesus' Counter-Question: Instead of directly answering them, Jesus responded with a question of his own: "Was John's baptism from heaven, or of human origin?" (Luke 20:3-4) John the Baptist was a prophet who had baptized many, including Jesus.
The Dilemma: The chief priests and scribes found themselves in a bind. They realized that answering Jesus' question honestly would be problematic for them:
If they said John's baptism was from heaven (divine authority): Jesus would ask, "Then why didn't you believe him?" (Luke 20:5). They had rejected John's message and baptism, making them look hypocritical.
If they said John's baptism was of human origin: They feared the people, who believed John was a prophet. (Luke 20:6). They would risk a riot or public backlash.
The Evasive Answer: Because they couldn't answer without incriminating themselves, they chose to avoid the question altogether. They feigned ignorance, saying, "We don’t know where it was from." (Luke 20:7).
Therefore, the meaning of "They answered that they didn’t know where it was from" is that the religious leaders were being disingenuous and evasive. They refused to answer Jesus' question about the origin of John's baptism because they knew it would expose their hypocrisy and undermine their authority. They prioritized self-preservation and maintaining their power over honesty and truth.
Significance of the verse:
Exposes Hypocrisy: The passage reveals the hypocrisy and lack of integrity of the religious leaders. They were more concerned with public opinion and maintaining their position than with seeking the truth.
Highlights Jesus' Wisdom: Jesus' clever question exposed their insincerity. He used their own tactics against them, trapping them in a logical dilemma.
Demonstrates Authority: Jesus' authority is implicitly affirmed. By avoiding his question, the religious leaders acknowledged they were afraid of the implications of his teachings and actions. They dared not answer because of what it would reveal about them or what the people would think.
Foreshadows Conflict: This exchange foreshadows the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, which would ultimately lead to his arrest and crucifixion.
In short, the verse signifies the religious leaders' calculated dishonesty and their refusal to acknowledge the truth about Jesus and John the Baptist. It's a pivotal moment in the Gospel that highlights the tension between truth and power, and the moral failings of those who prioritized the latter.