Luke 20:19

KJV

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} the scribes {G1122} the same {G1722}{G846} hour {G5610} sought {G2212} to lay {G1911} hands {G5495} on {G1909} him {G846}; and {G2532} they feared {G5399} the people {G2992}: for {G1063} they perceived {G1097} that {G3754} he had spoken {G2036} this {G5026} parable {G3850} against {G4314} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Torah-teachers and the head cohanim would have seized him at that very moment, because they knew that he had aimed this parable at them, but they were afraid of the people.

Berean Standard Bible

When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.

American Standard Version

And the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he spake this parable against them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:19 vividly portrays the immediate and intense hostility of the Jewish religious authorities following Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers. Recognizing themselves as the direct targets of His indictment, the chief priests and scribes were instantly moved to arrest Him. However, their deep-seated fear of the common people, who held Jesus in high regard, served as a crucial deterrent, preventing their immediate action and highlighting their prioritization of public opinion over divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate reaction to Jesus' powerful and provocative [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/luke/20-9-18 "Luke 20:9-18 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers"). Preceding this, the chief priests and scribes had directly challenged Jesus' authority, demanding to know by what authority He performed His works ([Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")). In the parable, Jesus masterfully depicted God as the vineyard owner, Israel as the vineyard, and the religious leaders as the wicked tenants who repeatedly rejected and murdered the owner's servants (the prophets) and ultimately, His beloved son (Jesus Himself). The parable culminates with the owner destroying the wicked tenants and entrusting the vineyard to others, a clear prophecy of the transfer of God's kingdom from the unfaithful Jewish leadership to those who would bear fruit. Jesus further underscored this by quoting [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Rejected Cornerstone"), declaring that "The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner." The leaders' reaction in Luke 20:19 demonstrates their accurate, albeit self-incriminating, comprehension of the parable's meaning and its direct application to their own spiritual rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The chief priests and scribes represented the highest echelons of Jewish religious and political power in Jerusalem. The chief priests, primarily Sadducees, controlled the Temple and its vast revenues, holding significant influence under Roman rule. The scribes, largely Pharisees, were experts in the Mosaic Law, serving as teachers and interpreters. Both groups formed the core of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing council. Their authority was deeply intertwined with the social order, and any challenge to it, especially from a popular figure like Jesus, was perceived as a direct threat to their power and stability. The "people" (Gk. _laos_) refers to the general populace, many of whom viewed Jesus as a prophet or even the Messiah, especially after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The leaders' fear of the people was not merely a concern for personal safety but a strategic calculation to avoid a popular uprising that could provoke a harsh Roman crackdown, jeopardizing their privileged positions and even the Temple itself. This fear often dictated their actions and restrained their open opposition to Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Rejection of Divine Authority**, as the religious leaders, despite their intimate knowledge of the Law and the prophets, actively choose to reject God's ultimate messenger, Jesus. Their immediate desire to "lay hands on him" foreshadows their ultimate role in His crucifixion, fulfilling the parable's grim prophecy. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **Fear of Man vs. Fear of God**. The leaders' primary motivation for restraint is their fear of the people, not a conviction of sin or reverence for God. This moral inversion reveals their spiritual bankruptcy and their prioritization of worldly status over divine truth. Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Perception of Truth Amidst Hostility**. Despite their spiritual blindness and deep-seated animosity, the chief priests and scribes accurately "perceived" that Jesus' parable was directed against them. This demonstrates that the truth of Jesus' message was undeniable, even to His most hardened adversaries, yet their response was not repentance but increased animosity and a desire for elimination.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **chief priests (Greek, _archiereús'_):** From G749, meaning "the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest." These were the prominent members of the priestly families, often Sadducees, who held significant authority in the Temple and the Sanhedrin. Their office was meant to mediate between God and the people, yet here they are shown opposing God's own Son.
* **scribes (Greek, _grammateús'_):** From G1122, meaning "a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary." These were the legal experts, interpreters, and teachers of the Jewish Law, primarily Pharisees. They were highly respected for their knowledge, but their rigid adherence to tradition often blinded them to the living truth embodied in Jesus.
* **perceived (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** From G1097, a prolonged form of a primary verb, meaning "to 'know' (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications." This word signifies a clear, cognitive understanding or recognition, not merely a suspicion. The leaders didn't just guess; they fully comprehended the parable's indictment against them, which intensified their animosity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him;":** This clause reveals the immediate and unified hostile intent of the religious authorities. "The same hour" emphasizes the swiftness of their reaction, indicating the profound impact and perceived threat of Jesus' parable. "Sought to lay hands on him" is an idiom for seeking to arrest or apprehend someone, implying a desire to seize control and neutralize the perceived threat Jesus posed to their authority and position. This was not a casual thought but a deliberate, active pursuit.
* **"and they feared the people:":** This phrase introduces the crucial deterrent to the leaders' immediate action. Their desire to arrest Jesus was overridden by a pragmatic concern for public opinion and potential unrest. The "people" refers to the general populace, many of whom were sympathetic to Jesus and viewed Him as a prophet or even the Messiah. The leaders understood that a direct, open arrest of Jesus could provoke a riot, which would not only undermine their authority but also invite severe intervention from the Roman authorities, potentially jeopardizing their privileged status.
* **"for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.":** This final clause provides the reason for the leaders' hostile reaction and their subsequent fear. The conjunction "for" (Gk. _gar_) introduces the causal explanation. Their "perception" (Gk. _ginōskō_) was not a vague suspicion but a clear, undeniable understanding that Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers was a direct and scathing indictment of their spiritual leadership, their rejection of God's messengers, and their impending judgment. This accurate comprehension fueled their rage and desire for retribution, even as their fear of the populace momentarily held them back.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:19 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Irony** is prominent, as the very religious leaders who claimed to uphold God's law and represent His people are the ones who reject His Son, even accurately perceiving His divine message while refusing to embrace it. Their "fear" is also ironic; they fear the people more than they fear God, demonstrating their misplaced priorities. **Foreshadowing** is evident in their desire to "lay hands on him," which clearly anticipates Jesus' eventual arrest and crucifixion, orchestrating the very outcome the parable warned against. The verse also presents a stark **Contrast** between the spiritual insight of Jesus (who speaks truth) and the spiritual blindness of the leaders (who understand but refuse to repent), as well as the contrast between their internal malicious intent and their external restraint due to fear of the crowd.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:19 stands as a pivotal moment, revealing the hardening of the religious leaders' hearts against Jesus and the escalating conflict that would culminate in His crucifixion. The leaders' accurate perception of the parable's target, coupled with their refusal to repent, underscores the profound tragedy of spiritual blindness in the face of undeniable truth. Their fear of the people, rather than a fear of God, exposes a deep-seated hypocrisy and a prioritization of worldly power and reputation over divine righteousness. This passage serves as a sobering reminder that knowledge of truth does not automatically lead to acceptance; indeed, it can intensify rejection when hearts are hardened by self-interest and pride.

* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Snare of Fearing Man")
* [Matthew 21:43-45](/matthew/21-43-45 "Matthew 21:43-45 - The Kingdom Taken Away")
* [John 11:47-48](/john/11-47-48 "John 11:47-48 - The Council's Fear and Plot")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:19 offers powerful lessons for contemporary believers. The religious leaders' reaction serves as a stark warning against the dangers of spiritual pride and the prioritizing of human approval over divine truth. When God's Word, like Jesus' parable, exposes our own failings, our natural inclination might be defensiveness or hostility, much like the chief priests and scribes. However, true spiritual growth requires humility and repentance. We must cultivate a heart that is open to conviction, willing to examine our motives, and quick to align our lives with God's will, even when it challenges our comfort or status. Furthermore, this passage reminds us of the pervasive temptation to fear man more than God. In a world that often pressures conformity and rewards popularity, the courage to stand for truth, regardless of the cost to reputation or position, is a hallmark of genuine faith. Our ultimate allegiance must be to Christ, not to the fleeting opinions of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When God's Word exposes a difficult truth about your own life, what is your immediate reaction? Is it defensiveness or humble introspection?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be more concerned with the opinions of others than with God's will?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater fear of God that leads to obedience and trust, rather than a fear of man that leads to compromise?**
* **What steps can you take to ensure that intellectual understanding of biblical truth translates into genuine spiritual transformation in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why did the chief priests and scribes want to "lay hands on" Jesus immediately after the parable?**

Answer: They sought to "lay hands on" Jesus because they fully understood that the [Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers](/luke/20-9-18 "Luke 20:9-18 - The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers") was a direct and scathing indictment of their own corrupt spiritual leadership. Jesus' story, in which the vineyard owner's son is murdered by the tenants, clearly depicted their rejection of God's prophets and, most pointedly, their impending rejection and murder of Jesus, the Son of God. This accurate perception of His message, which exposed their hypocrisy and foreshadowed their judgment, fueled their immediate desire to arrest Him and silence His challenging voice.

**What does it mean that "they feared the people"?**

Answer: The phrase "they feared the people" (Gk. _phobéō_ `G5399` `laós` `G2992`) indicates that the religious leaders were restrained from immediately arresting Jesus due to their concern for public opinion and the potential for a popular uprising. At this time, Jesus was widely regarded by the common people as a prophet, and His [triumphal entry into Jerusalem](/luke/19-28-40 "Luke 19:28-40 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry") had demonstrated His popularity. The chief priests and scribes understood that an open arrest of Jesus could provoke a riot, which would not only undermine their authority but also risk severe intervention from the Roman authorities, jeopardizing their privileged positions and the fragile peace. Their fear was a pragmatic, political calculation rather than a moral one.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:19, depicting the religious leaders' hostile reaction to Jesus' parable, powerfully underscores His identity as the rejected yet indispensable cornerstone of God's redemptive plan. The parable itself, with the owner's beloved son being cast out and killed, is a profound prophecy of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. He is the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") whose life was sought by those He came to save. The leaders' desire to "lay hands on him" foreshadows His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, which, though seemingly a victory for His enemies, was in fact the very means by which God accomplished salvation ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreordained Plan")). Jesus, the rejected stone, became the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, the Church ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone of the Church")), built not on the old covenant's legalism but on grace and faith. His authority, challenged by the leaders in [Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Questioned"), is ultimately vindicated through His resurrection and ascension, establishing Him as Lord over all ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted as Lord")). Thus, even in the face of their rejection, Jesus remained faithful to His mission, fulfilling prophecy and securing eternal life for all who believe in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 19:47

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 19:48

And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

Luke 20:14

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

Matthew 21:45

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

Matthew 21:46

But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Mark 12:12

And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Matthew 26:3

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,