Luke 20:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

Complete Jewish Bible:

and said, “Tell us, what s’mikhah do you have that authorizes you to do these things? Who gave you this s’mikhah?”

Berean Standard Bible:

“Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

American Standard Version:

and they spake, saying unto him, Tell us: By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} spake^{G2036} unto^{G4314} him^{G846}, saying^{G3004}, Tell^{G2036} us^{G2254}, by^{G1722} what^{G4169} authority^{G1849} doest thou^{G4160} these things^{G5023}? or^{G2228} who^{G5101} is he^{G2076} that gave^{G1325} thee^{G4671} this^{G5026} authority^{G1849}?

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Commentary for Luke 20:2

Luke 20:2 is a part of a larger narrative where the religious leaders in Jerusalem are challenging Jesus' authority. The verse reads, "And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?" This question comes immediately after Jesus had been teaching in the temple, and just before He cleansed it by driving out those who were selling and buying there.

The historical context of this verse is set during the final days of Jesus' ministry, shortly before His crucifixion. At this time, Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, and His actions and teachings were garnering intense scrutiny from the Jewish religious authorities, including the chief priests, scribes, and elders. These leaders were threatened by Jesus' popularity and His challenges to their authority and interpretations of the law.

The themes present in this verse include the tension between Jesus and the established religious leaders, the question of divine authority, and the challenge to traditional power structures. The religious leaders are essentially asking Jesus to justify His actions: Is His authority derived from a human source, or does He claim a divine mandate? This question is central to the Gospel narratives, as Jesus' authority is a recurring theme throughout His ministry. His response often involves parables or counter-questions that reveal the hearts of His interrogators and point to the divine source of His mission.

In summary, Luke 20:2 captures a moment of confrontation where Jesus' authority is directly challenged by the religious establishment. It underscores the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, highlights the central question of Jesus' divine authority, and sets the stage for the unfolding drama of Jesus' passion and the ultimate vindication of His authority through His resurrection.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2254
   There are 167 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμῖν
   Transliteration: hēmîn
   Pronunciation: hay-meen'
   Description: dative case plural of ἐγώ; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4169
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποῖος
   Transliteration: poîos
   Pronunciation: poy'-os
   Description: from the base of ποῦ and οἷος; individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one:--what (manner of), which.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1849
   There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐξουσία
   Transliteration: exousía
   Pronunciation: ex-oo-see'-ah
   Description: from ἔξεστι (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5023
    There are 237 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταῦτα
    Transliteration: taûta
    Pronunciation: tow'-tah
    Description: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2228
    There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἤ
    Transliteration: ḗ
    Pronunciation: ay
    Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5101
    There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τίς
    Transliteration: tís
    Pronunciation: tis
    Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1325
    There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δίδωμι
    Transliteration: dídōmi
    Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
    
16. Strong's Number: G4671
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοί
    Transliteration: soí
    Pronunciation: soy
    Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.
    
17. Strong's Number: G5026
    There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταύτῃ
    Transliteration: taútēi
    Pronunciation: tow'-tace
    Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).