Luke 20:45

KJV

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} in the audience {G191} of all {G3956} the people {G2992} he said {G2036} unto his {G846} disciples {G3101},

Complete Jewish Bible

Within the hearing of all the people, Yeshua said to his talmidim,

Berean Standard Bible

In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples,

American Standard Version

And in the hearing of all the people he said unto his disciples,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:45 serves as a pivotal transitional verse in Jesus' final week of ministry, marking a dramatic shift from His masterful engagement with hostile religious leaders to a direct, public instruction aimed at His disciples. Though His words are specifically for His followers, the KJV's "in the audience of all the people" underscores the transparent and public nature of Jesus' teaching, setting the stage for a critical warning against the hypocrisy and self-serving ambition characteristic of the scribes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a series of intense and challenging interrogations Jesus endured from the chief priests, scribes, and elders within the Temple courts in Jerusalem. Having deftly parried their attempts to trap Him regarding His authority ([Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Challenged")), taxes to Caesar ([Luke 20:20-26](/luke/20-20-26 "Luke 20:20-26 - Paying Taxes to Caesar")), and the resurrection ([Luke 20:27-40](/luke/20-27-40 "Luke 20:27-40 - The Sadducees' Question About the Resurrection")), Jesus then silenced His adversaries by posing His own unanswerable question about the Messiah's identity as both David's son and Lord ([Luke 20:41-44](/luke/20-41-44 "Luke 20:41-44 - Jesus Questions the Scribes About the Messiah")). With their arguments exhausted and their schemes exposed, Jesus now turns His attention from His defeated opponents to His eager learners, preparing them for the realities of spiritual leadership and the dangers of religious pretense.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry was largely conducted in public forums, often in synagogues, open fields, or, as here, the bustling Temple precincts during the Passover season. The Temple in Jerusalem was not merely a place of worship but a vibrant center for teaching, debate, and social interaction. Crowds would gather, especially during major festivals, making it an ideal setting for public discourse. The "scribes" (Greek: *grammateis*) were a prominent class of religious experts, often lawyers and interpreters of the Mosaic Law, who held significant social and religious authority. They were respected for their knowledge and often occupied positions of honor. Jesus' public critique of them, delivered within their own domain, was a bold challenge to the established religious hierarchy and a stark contrast to their perceived piety.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 20:45 contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **True Discipleship**, contrasting the superficiality of the scribes with the genuine humility and service expected of Jesus' followers, a theme echoed in passages like [Luke 9:23-26](/luke/9-23-26 "Luke 9:23-26 - The Cost of Discipleship"). It also reinforces the theme of **Divine Authority**, as Jesus, having demonstrated His supremacy in debate, now speaks with the authority of a teacher instructing His own. Furthermore, this verse sets the stage for the theme of **Warning Against Hypocrisy**, which Jesus addresses directly in the subsequent verses ([Luke 20:46-47](/luke/20-46-47 "Luke 20:46-47 - Warning Against the Scribes")), emphasizing the importance of internal righteousness over external display, a concept central to the sermon on the mount in [Matthew 6](/matthew/6 "Matthew 6 - The Sermon on the Mount").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **audience (Greek, _akoúō'_):** Derived from G191, this word signifies "to hear in various senses," including to give audience, to come to the ears, or to understand. In this context, it emphasizes that the people were not merely present but actively listening and engaged, making Jesus' subsequent warning a public declaration, not a private aside.
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** From G2036, this primary verb means "to speak or say," often with a sense of authority or direct communication. It highlights Jesus' intentional and deliberate address, marking a shift from responding to questions to proactively delivering a crucial teaching.
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** Originating from G3101, this term denotes "a learner" or "pupil." While the Twelve apostles are included, "disciples" here likely refers to a broader group of committed followers who were actively seeking to learn from Jesus, distinguishing them from the general crowd and indicating that the upcoming instruction was specifically for those who would carry on His mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then in the audience of all the people":** This phrase establishes the public setting of Jesus' discourse. The Greek emphasizes that "all the people were hearing," indicating an active, attentive crowd. This public context is crucial, as the warning Jesus is about to deliver, though directed at His disciples, serves as a public indictment of the religious leadership and a vital lesson for anyone seeking true spiritual guidance. It highlights Jesus' transparency and His willingness to expose spiritual dangers openly.
* **"he said unto his disciples,":** This clause signifies a deliberate shift in Jesus' focus and address. Having silenced His adversaries, Jesus now turns specifically to those who follow Him. While the general populace is listening, the instruction is tailored for His "learners" – those who are committed to understanding and embodying His teachings. This distinction underscores the importance of discernment for His followers, preparing them to recognize and avoid the pitfalls of the very kind of religious leadership Jesus is about to condemn.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:45 functions primarily as a **Transition** verse, signaling a shift in the narrative from Jesus' defensive posture against His interrogators to an offensive, instructive mode aimed at His followers. It employs **Public Instruction** as a method, as Jesus chooses to deliver a critical lesson not in private, but within earshot of the very people who might be influenced by the scribes' hypocrisy. This public setting also adds an element of **Dramatic Irony** and **Foreshadowing**, as the warning against the scribes' pride and love of honor (detailed in the subsequent verses) stands in stark contrast to Jesus' own humble path to the cross, which the disciples are soon to witness and participate in. The verse sets up a clear dichotomy between superficial religious display and genuine spiritual integrity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores the profound importance of spiritual discernment and the nature of true leadership within God's kingdom. Jesus' public instruction to His disciples, while the people listen, highlights that the principles of genuine faith and godly conduct are not secret doctrines but open truths for all to perceive. It sets the stage for a critical lesson on the dangers of hypocrisy and self-exaltation in religious authority, emphasizing that outward displays of piety are meaningless without an inward transformation of the heart. This teaching is vital for all believers, calling them to scrutinize the character and motives of those who claim spiritual authority and to align themselves with leaders who embody humility and service, rather than pride and self-interest.

* [Matthew 23:1-12](/matthew/23-1-12 "Matthew 23:1-12 - Jesus Warns Against the Scribes and Pharisees")
* [Mark 12:38-40](/mark/12-38-40 "Mark 12:38-40 - Jesus Warns Against the Scribes")
* [1 Timothy 4:1-2](/1_timothy/4-1-2 "1 Timothy 4:1-2 - Warning Against False Teachers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:45 serves as a potent reminder that true spiritual growth involves not only receiving instruction but also developing keen discernment. Jesus' decision to warn His disciples about the scribes in public, within earshot of the very people who might be swayed by their influence, teaches us that the pursuit of genuine faith requires a critical evaluation of leadership and a commitment to integrity over outward show. For us today, this means actively listening to and testing the teachings of those in spiritual authority, ensuring they align with the humble, serving spirit of Christ rather than seeking personal acclaim or power. It calls us to examine our own hearts, too, asking if our spiritual practices are truly for God's glory or subtly driven by a desire for human recognition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' choice to deliver this warning publicly, yet specifically to His disciples, inform our understanding of spiritual transparency and discernment today?**
* **In what ways might we, like the scribes, be tempted to seek honor or recognition for our religious activities rather than genuinely serving God and others?**
* **What practical steps can we take to cultivate greater spiritual discernment in evaluating teachings and leaders within the church?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus speak to His disciples "in the audience of all the people" instead of privately?**

Answer: Jesus' decision to speak to His disciples "in the audience of all the people" (Greek: *akouontos pantos tou laou*, "while all the people were hearing") was a deliberate pedagogical choice that served multiple purposes. Firstly, it underscored the transparency of His ministry; His teachings were not exclusive or secretive, but open for all to hear and evaluate. Secondly, it provided a public rebuke to the religious establishment, particularly the scribes, whose hypocrisy He was about to expose. By warning His disciples about the scribes' behavior in public, Jesus offered a vital lesson in spiritual discernment not only to His immediate followers but also to the wider populace who might be influenced by these leaders. It highlighted the contrast between the self-serving piety of the scribes and the genuine humility and service that Jesus embodied and taught, as seen throughout His ministry, for example in [Matthew 23:1-12](/matthew/23-1-12 "Matthew 23:1-12 - Warning Against the Scribes and Pharisees").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:45, in its transitional nature, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate and true Teacher, contrasting His authentic authority with the superficiality of the scribes. As Jesus turns from silencing His adversaries to instructing His disciples in the presence of the crowd, He embodies the Good Shepherd who not only protects His flock from wolves but also actively guides them in the way of truth ([John 10:11-14](/john/10-11-14 "John 10:11-14 - The Good Shepherd")). His subsequent warning against the scribes' pride and love of human praise ([Luke 20:46-47](/luke/20-46-47 "Luke 20:46-47 - Warning Against the Scribes")) starkly highlights His own humble, self-sacrificial path to the cross, where He, the Son of Man, came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Jesus, as the embodiment of divine wisdom and truth ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are All the Treasures of Wisdom")), fulfills the need for a leader whose authority is rooted in perfect obedience to God and selfless love for humanity, rather than in external display or human accolades. His teachings, unlike the empty traditions of men, lead to eternal life and true liberation ([John 8:31-32](/john/8-31-32 "John 8:31-32 - Truth Will Set You Free")), making Him the definitive object of faith and the only reliable guide for His disciples through all generations.

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

Mark 12:38

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and [love] salutations in the marketplaces,

Mark 12:39

And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Matthew 23:5

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Matthew 23:7

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Mark 8:34

And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

1 Timothy 5:20

Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Matthew 15:10

¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: