Luke 24:20 (KJV)

What does Luke 24:20 mean?

Luke 24:20 describes how the chief priests and rulers handed Jesus over to be sentenced to death and had him crucified. The verse summarizes the responsibility of the Jewish religious leaders and authorities in delivering Jesus to be executed by crucifixion.

In this verse, two disciples are speaking to a stranger on the road to Emmaus, explaining the recent events in Jerusalem. They recount how their leaders played a key role in condemning Jesus, highlighting both the official judgment and the method of execution. This sets the stage for their confusion and sorrow, as they had hoped Jesus would redeem Israel.

The Greek behind Luke 24:20

• παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi, "delivered"): This word means to hand over or betray. Here, it emphasizes the active role of the religious leaders in turning Jesus over to the authorities for judgment.
• κατακρίνω (katakrinō, "condemned"): This word means to judge as guilty or to pronounce a sentence. It shows that Jesus was not just handed over, but officially judged worthy of death.
• σταυρόω (stauroō, "crucified"): This word refers specifically to execution by crucifixion, a Roman method of punishment. It underlines the humiliation and suffering involved in Jesus' death, and that it was carried out by Roman authority at the urging of the Jewish leaders.

Why Luke 24:20 matters

• Luke 24:20 clarifies that the religious authorities were not passive but took deliberate action in Jesus’ condemnation and death, which is important for understanding the narrative of responsibility.
• The verse helps explain the disappointment and confusion of Jesus’ followers, who had expected a different outcome from their leaders and from Jesus’ mission.
• This summary connects the events of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion to the larger story of resurrection and hope that unfolds in the rest of the chapter.