And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

LUKE 19:47KJV
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Luke 19:47 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:47 mean?

Luke 19:47 describes how Jesus was teaching every day in the temple, while the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders among the people were looking for a way to destroy him. The verse shows a clear contrast between Jesus’ public teaching and the growing hostility of the religious authorities.

In this scene, Jesus is in Jerusalem, openly instructing crowds in the temple courts. The chief priests, scribes, and leading citizens—those with religious and social authority—are not just annoyed but actively seeking to end his influence, even to the point of plotting his death. This verse highlights the tension building between Jesus and the established leaders as his popularity and message challenge their power.

The Greek behind Luke 19:47

  • "Taught" (ἐδίδασκεν, edidasken): This word means to instruct or teach, and the form used here suggests ongoing, habitual action. Jesus wasn’t just giving a one-time speech; he was regularly and openly teaching in the temple.
  • "Sought" (ἐζήτουν, ezētoun): This verb means to seek or look for, often with determination. The leaders were not passively upset; they were actively searching for an opportunity to get rid of Jesus.
  • "Destroy" (ἀπολέσωσιν, apolesōsin): This word means to ruin or kill. The intent of the religious leaders was not just to silence Jesus, but to completely remove him, showing the seriousness of their opposition.

Why Luke 19:47 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus’ teaching was a daily, public activity in the heart of Jewish religious life, not a secret or occasional event.
  • The verse reveals the depth of opposition from the religious authorities, who saw Jesus as a real threat to their position and influence.
  • Luke 19:47 sets the stage for the events that follow, explaining why the leaders were so determined to arrest Jesus and how the conflict would soon come to a head.

Where else these words appear

“temple” Greek G2411 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
  • Luke 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
  • Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

“scribes” Greek G1122 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
  • Mark 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

“destroy” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
  • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“taught” Greek G1321 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luke 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
  • Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.