Luke 3:20

KJV

Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

KJV (with Strong's)

Added {G4369} yet {G2532} this {G5124} above {G1909} all {G3956}, that {G2532} he shut up {G2623} John {G2491} in {G1722} prison {G5438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

whereupon Herod added this to the rest: he locked up Yochanan in prison.

Berean Standard Bible

Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

American Standard Version

added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 3:20 serves as a stark conclusion to John the Baptist's public ministry, detailing Herod Antipas's ultimate act of injustice: imprisoning the prophet. This verse highlights Herod's escalating moral depravity, culminating in the silencing of a divine voice, and simultaneously marks a pivotal transition in Luke's narrative, setting the stage for the imminent emergence of Jesus Christ's public ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Luke 3:19](/luke/3-19 "Luke 3:19 - John Rebukes Herod"), where Luke recounts John the Baptist's courageous rebuke of Herod Antipas for his illicit marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for "all the evils which Herod had done." The phrase "added yet this above all" in [Luke 3:20](/luke/3-20 "Luke 3:20 - John Imprisoned") signifies that John's imprisonment was not an isolated incident but the culmination and crowning wickedness in a series of Herod's moral transgressions. It effectively silences John's prophetic voice, concluding his role as the forerunner and paving the way for Jesus's public ministry, which is about to commence in the subsequent verses with Jesus's baptism and genealogy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Herod Antipas, a tetrarch appointed by Rome, ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39. His marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, was a flagrant violation of Mosaic Law (specifically [Leviticus 18:16](/leviticus/18-16 "Leviticus 18:16 - Uncovering a Brother's Nakedness") and [Leviticus 20:21](/leviticus/20-21 "Leviticus 20:21 - Punishment for Unlawful Marriage")). John the Baptist, operating within the prophetic tradition of Israel, fearlessly confronted this powerful ruler, embodying the role of a divine messenger calling for repentance and righteousness. In a culture where rulers often held absolute power and dissent was swiftly suppressed, John's public rebuke was a direct challenge to Herod's authority and moral legitimacy, making his imprisonment a predictable, albeit unjust, consequence for such prophetic boldness.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 3:20](/luke/3-20 "Luke 3:20 - John Imprisoned") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **cost of prophetic truth**, demonstrating that faithfully proclaiming God's righteousness, even to those in power, can lead to persecution and suffering, a theme echoed in the experiences of many prophets throughout Israel's history and foreshadowing the persecution Jesus and His followers would face (e.g., [Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Hated for Christ's Name")). The verse also highlights the theme of **tyranny and injustice**, as Herod's act represents the oppressive nature of worldly power that seeks to silence voices of truth rather than confront its own sin. Finally, John's imprisonment marks a crucial **transition in God's redemptive plan**, signifying the completion of his preparatory ministry as the one who would "prepare the way of the Lord" ([Luke 3:4](/luke/3-4 "Luke 3:4 - John the Baptist in the Wilderness")), thereby clearing the stage for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to begin His public work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Added (Greek, _prostíthēmi'_):** This verb (G4369) means "to place additionally, i.e., lay beside, annex, repeat." In [Luke 3:20](/luke/3-20 "Luke 3:20 - John Imprisoned"), it emphasizes that Herod's imprisonment of John was not his first or only evil act, but rather another, and indeed the most significant, transgression added to a growing list of his immoral deeds. It conveys a sense of accumulation and escalation in Herod's wickedness.
* **Shut up (Greek, _katakleíō'_):** This verb (G2623) means "to shut down (in a dungeon), i.e., incarcerate." It vividly describes the definitive act of confinement imposed upon John. The prefix "kata-" intensifies the action of "kleíō" (to shut), implying a forceful and complete closure, effectively ending John's freedom and public ministry.
* **Prison (Greek, _phylakḗ'_):** This noun (G5438) refers to "a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition." In this context, it denotes the literal place of incarceration. The use of "prison" underscores the physical restriction and loss of liberty that John endured, representing the ultimate human attempt to silence God's prophetic voice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Added yet this above all":** This phrase serves as a powerful indictment of Herod Antipas, indicating that his act of imprisoning John was not merely another misdeed but the culminating and most egregious of his many evils. The "above all" suggests a climax of his moral depravity, a final, definitive act of opposition to divine truth. It sets the stage for the severity of the consequence.
* **"that he shut up John in prison":** This clause states the specific, decisive action taken by Herod. The imprisonment of John the Baptist was a direct response to John's prophetic rebuke of Herod's unlawful marriage and other wicked deeds. It represents a tyrannical attempt to silence the voice of God's prophet, removing him from public influence and ministry.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's concise statement in [Luke 3:20](/luke/3-20 "Luke 3:20 - John Imprisoned") employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. The phrase "added yet this **above all**" is an instance of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme nature of Herod's act, portraying it as the ultimate transgression in a series of evils. This exaggeration underscores the gravity of silencing a prophet. The verse also functions as a moment of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the persecution that awaits Jesus Himself and His disciples, who will also face opposition and imprisonment for proclaiming God's truth. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** in Herod's attempt to silence John; by imprisoning him, Herod inadvertently clears the public stage for Jesus, the very Messiah John announced, thus fulfilling God's divine timetable rather than thwarting it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 3:20 is deeply significant, marking a crucial turning point in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The imprisonment of John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets and the divinely appointed forerunner, signifies the conclusion of an era and the imminent dawn of a new one. This act, driven by human sin and political expediency, paradoxically serves God's sovereign purpose by removing John from the public eye, thereby preparing the way for Jesus Christ to step into the spotlight and commence His public ministry. It underscores the biblical truth that human wickedness, though real and condemned, cannot ultimately thwart God's divine will, but often, in His mysterious providence, serves to advance it. The suffering of God's faithful servants, like John, is often a prelude to greater divine revelation and action.

* [Matthew 14:3-5](/matthew/14-3-5 "Matthew 14:3-5 - John Imprisoned and Beheaded")
* [Mark 6:17-20](/mark/6-17-20 "Mark 6:17-20 - John Imprisoned for Herodias")
* [John 3:30](/john/3-30 "John 3:30 - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 3:20 offers profound lessons for believers today. John the Baptist's unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power, even at great personal cost, serves as a powerful model of prophetic faithfulness. In a world that often prefers comfort over conviction, and where truth is frequently suppressed or distorted, John's example challenges us to embody courage and integrity, proclaiming God's word without compromise, regardless of the consequences. His imprisonment reminds us that faithfulness to Christ may involve hardship, opposition, or even suffering, but such trials do not negate God's purpose; instead, they often serve to advance His greater redemptive work. We are called to be voices of truth and righteousness in our spheres of influence, trusting that God's plan will ultimately prevail, even when human injustice seems to triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you called to speak truth, even when it might be unpopular or costly?**
* **How does John's example of faithfulness in the face of persecution encourage or challenge your own commitment to Christ?**
* **How does the knowledge that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human evil impact your perspective on current injustices or difficulties?**

### FAQ

**Why was John the Baptist imprisoned, and what does it tell us about Herod Antipas?**

Answer: John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas primarily because he fearlessly rebuked Herod for his illicit marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, which was a clear violation of Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 18:16](/leviticus/18-16 "Leviticus 18:16 - Uncovering a Brother's Nakedness")). John's prophetic voice also condemned "all the evils which Herod had done" ([Luke 3:19](/luke/3-19 "Luke 3:19 - John Rebukes Herod")), indicating a broader pattern of moral corruption in Herod's rule. Herod was a tyrannical ruler who could not tolerate a voice that challenged his authority and exposed his sin. His decision to imprison John reveals his character as a man driven by lust, pride, and a desire to suppress dissent rather than to repent or seek righteousness. It was an act of political expediency and personal vindictiveness, culminating in the silencing of a righteous prophet.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Luke 3:20](/luke/3-20 "Luke 3:20 - John Imprisoned") describes the unjust imprisonment of John the Baptist, it profoundly points to Christ in its narrative function and theological implications. John's ministry, culminating in his confinement, serves as the final act of the Old Covenant's prophetic tradition, preparing the way for the new. His removal from the public stage is not a defeat but a divinely orchestrated transition, allowing the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) to step forward. John's suffering and eventual death foreshadow the greater suffering and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Himself, who would also be unjustly condemned and imprisoned before His crucifixion ([Matthew 27:1-2](/matthew/27-1-2 "Matthew 27:1-2 - Jesus Delivered to Pilate")). Just as John's imprisonment did not thwart God's plan for the Messiah, so too Jesus's death was not an end but the very means by which salvation was accomplished, leading to His resurrection and the establishment of His eternal kingdom ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus Delivered for Our Sins")). Thus, John's fate in [Luke 3:20](/luke/3-20 "Luke 3:20 - John Imprisoned") is a poignant prelude to the redemptive work of Christ, confirming the divine sovereignty that weaves even human evil into the fabric of His perfect plan.

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

2 Chronicles 36:16

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

Matthew 22:6

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them].

Matthew 22:7

But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

John 3:24

For John was not yet cast into prison.

1 Thessalonians 2:15

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

1 Thessalonians 2:16

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

Jeremiah 2:30

In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.