Luke 24:20

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

And how {G3704}{G5037} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} our {G2257} rulers {G758} delivered {G3860} him {G846} to {G1519} be condemned {G2917} to death {G2288}, and {G2532} have crucified {G4717} him {G846}.

Our head cohanim and our leaders handed him over, so that he could be sentenced to death and executed on a stake as a criminal.

Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him.

and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

Context

Luke 24:20 is spoken by one of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, recounting the recent, devastating events in Jerusalem to what they believe is a fellow traveler (Jesus, in disguise). This verse captures their profound disappointment and bewilderment over the crucifixion of Jesus, whom they had hoped was the Messiah who would redeem Israel. It reflects their immediate, raw understanding of the historical facts of Jesus' death, yet without the full comprehension of its redemptive purpose or the impending resurrection.

Key Themes

  • The Reality of Jesus' Death: The disciples state plainly that Jesus was "condemned to death" and "crucified." This underscores the historical certainty and public nature of Christ's execution, a foundational truth of Christian faith.
  • Human Agency in the Crucifixion: The verse explicitly assigns responsibility to "the chief priests and our rulers," highlighting the role of the Jewish religious and political leadership in orchestrating Jesus' demise. This points to the human sinfulness and rejection of God's Anointed One.
  • Disappointment and Misunderstanding: For the disciples, Jesus' death was a tragic end to their hopes. They had not yet grasped the prophecies that foretold a suffering Messiah (see Luke 24:26) and the necessity of His sacrifice for salvation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "delivered" is paredōkan (παρέδωκαν), which means "to hand over," "to betray," or "to deliver up." This term is frequently used in the Gospels to describe Jesus being handed over to various authorities for trial and execution, emphasizing the act of betrayal and the formal process of His condemnation. For instance, Matthew 27:2 uses this same word when Jesus is delivered to Pontius Pilate.

Related Scriptures

  • For the events leading to Jesus' condemnation and crucifixion by the Jewish authorities, consult Luke 23:1-25.
  • The disciples' hope that Jesus would "redeem Israel" is expressed in Luke 24:21, immediately following this verse.
  • The role of the chief priests and rulers in opposing Jesus is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels, for example, in John 11:47-48.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that understanding the Gospel begins with acknowledging the historical reality of Jesus' death. Like the Emmaus disciples, we might have incomplete understandings or disappointments, but God's plan often unfolds in ways we don't initially comprehend. The resurrection, which Jesus later reveals to them, transforms their despair into hope and understanding. Our faith is grounded not just in the death, but in the resurrection of Christ, which validates His claims and fulfills God's ultimate redemptive purpose.

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.

  • Acts 3:13

    The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.

  • Acts 3:15

    And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

  • Acts 13:27

    For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [him].

  • Acts 13:29

    And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took [him] down from the tree, and laid [him] in a sepulchre.

  • Luke 23:13

    ¶ And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

  • Matthew 27:20

    But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

  • Acts 4:8

    Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

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