Luke 20:5 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:5 mean?

Luke 20:5 shows the religious leaders quietly discussing how to answer Jesus’ question about John the Baptist’s authority, realizing that if they say John’s authority was from heaven, Jesus will challenge them for not believing John. The verse highlights their concern about being trapped by their own words in front of the people.

In this scene, the chief priests, scribes, and elders are questioning Jesus’ authority in the temple. Jesus responds by asking them whether John the Baptist’s authority came from heaven or from men. Luke 20:5 records their private reasoning, revealing their fear of being exposed as insincere or inconsistent. This moment shows their political calculation and hesitancy, rather than a search for truth.

The Greek behind Luke 20:5

• "reasoned" (συνελογίσθησαν, syne-logisthēsan): This word means to discuss or consider together, often with a sense of weighing options. Here, it shows the leaders are not just thinking individually but conferring among themselves, highlighting their collective anxiety.
• "Why" (διὰ τί, dia ti): This phrase introduces a pointed question—“Why then believed ye him not?”—which Jesus would ask if they admitted John’s authority was divine. It shows the leaders’ awareness that their answer would expose their lack of faith or consistency.

Why Luke 20:5 matters

• Luke 20:5 makes clear that the religious leaders are motivated by self-preservation, not by a genuine desire to answer honestly or seek truth.
• This verse sets up the tension in the conversation, helping readers see why the leaders ultimately refuse to answer Jesus directly in the following verses.
• By showing their reasoning, Luke emphasizes the leaders’ fear of public opinion and their awareness of the consequences of their words, which is a key theme in Jesus’ confrontations with them.