And they answered, that they could not tell whence [it was].
And {G2532} they answered {G611}, that they could {G1492} not {G3361} tell {G1492} whence {G4159} it was.
So they answered, “We don’t know where it came from.”
So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
And they answered, that they knew not whence it was.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Isaiah 42:19
Who [is] blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger [that] I sent? who [is] blind as [he that is] perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? -
Isaiah 42:20
Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. -
Zechariah 11:15
¶ And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. -
Isaiah 44:18
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand. -
Zechariah 11:17
Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword [shall be] upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. -
John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. -
John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Luke 20:7 KJV: "And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was."
Context
Luke 20:7 is a pivotal verse in a confrontation between Jesus and the religious establishment in Jerusalem. Following His triumphant entry and cleansing of the temple, Jesus was teaching the people. The chief priests, scribes, and elders, challenged His authority, asking, "By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?" (Luke 20:2). Instead of directly answering, Jesus posed a counter-question about the baptism of John the Baptist: "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" (Luke 20:4). This put the religious leaders in an impossible dilemma. If they said "from heaven," Jesus would ask why they didn't believe John. If they said "of men," they feared the people, who widely regarded John as a prophet (Luke 20:6). Their response in verse 7—that they "could not tell whence it was"—was a strategic evasion born out of self-preservation, not ignorance.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "could not tell whence it was" (KJV) simply means they could not say "from where it came." The Greek phrase ouk oidasin pothen translates to "they did not know from where." While they claimed ignorance, their preceding discussion (Luke 20:5-6) clearly shows they understood the implications of either answer, indicating their statement was a deliberate falsehood rather than genuine uncertainty.
Practical Application
Luke 20:7 offers important lessons for believers today: