Luke 20:21 – “So the spies questioned him: ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.’”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, the spies sent by the religious leaders begin their trap by flattering Jesus. They address Him as “Teacher” and praise Him for His honesty, impartiality, and commitment to teaching the truth of God. On the surface, their words seem respectful and sincere, but their intentions are deceitful. They’re not interested in the truth—they’re trying to manipulate Jesus into saying something they can use against Him.
This flattery is meant to lower Jesus’ guard, but as the following verses show, their plan backfires. Jesus sees through their scheme and responds with wisdom, turning their trap into an opportunity to teach a deeper truth about God’s kingdom.
Historical Context
During this time, religious teachers (rabbis) were often shown respect through titles like “Teacher,” but the religious leaders didn’t genuinely respect Jesus. They viewed Him as a threat to their authority. By sending spies to question Him, they hoped to trap Him into saying something that could be considered blasphemous or seditious, giving them grounds to arrest Him.
The spies’ reference to Jesus teaching the way of God “in accordance with the truth” is ironic. While they recognized that Jesus taught truth, they were unwilling to accept it. Their rejection of Him demonstrates how hardened their hearts had become, even when they stood face to face with the truth.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the difference between outward appearances and inward reality. The spies’ flattery shows how people can outwardly acknowledge God’s truth while inwardly rejecting it. Their words were correct—Jesus did teach the way of God without partiality—but they didn’t truly believe or follow Him. This warns us against the danger of empty words and false appearances in our relationship with God.
Theologically, this verse emphasizes Jesus’ role as the ultimate teacher of God’s truth. Unlike human teachers, who can be influenced by bias or personal gain, Jesus spoke with divine authority. His teaching wasn’t influenced by the opinions of others or by fear of consequences. He spoke the truth, regardless of whether it pleased or offended His audience (John 14:6).
Literary Analysis
The structure of this verse reveals the contrast between appearance and reality. The spies’ flattery seems genuine, but the reader knows their true intent. Luke uses this contrast to highlight Jesus’ wisdom and the deceitfulness of the religious leaders. The phrase “we know that you speak and teach what is right” carries a tone of irony—while the spies said this to manipulate Jesus, their statement was actually true.
This verse also serves as a setup for the confrontation that follows, where Jesus will demonstrate that He is not only aware of their scheme but also fully in control of the situation. The careful wording of the spies’ question reflects the calculated nature of their plan, but it ultimately exposes their insincerity.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 22:15-16 – A parallel passage where the Pharisees’ disciples and Herodians use similar flattery to trap Jesus.
- Psalm 55:21 – “His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart.” This verse describes the danger of flattery used for deceitful purposes.
- Isaiah 29:13 – God condemns those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him.
- John 7:18 – Jesus declares that He seeks to glorify God, not Himself, which is why His teaching is true and trustworthy.
- Proverbs 26:28 – A warning that flattery can be a form of deception meant to harm others.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder to be cautious of flattery and deceit. Not everyone who praises or admires you has your best interests at heart. Sometimes, people may use kind words to manipulate or trap you. As believers, we need wisdom and discernment, just as Jesus had, to recognize when words are genuine and when they are deceitful.
This verse also challenges us to examine our own sincerity. Do we, like the spies, speak words of faith without truly meaning them? True discipleship involves more than just saying the right things—it requires a heart that is fully committed to following Jesus and living according to His truth.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the fact that Jesus continued to teach the truth, even when faced with opposition and deceit. He didn’t compromise His message to win approval or avoid conflict. His love for humanity compelled Him to speak the truth, even when it was difficult or dangerous.
God’s love also includes the opportunity for repentance. The religious leaders had multiple chances to turn away from their sin and accept Jesus as the Messiah, but they chose instead to harden their hearts. This demonstrates that while God’s love is patient and persistent, it must be received with a willing heart.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse highlights Jesus’ role as the perfect teacher of God’s truth. His teaching was not influenced by public opinion, flattery, or fear of consequences. He spoke the truth boldly because He was sent by God to reveal the way of salvation. The spies’ flattery inadvertently affirmed this truth, even though they intended it as a trap.
Jesus’ commitment to the truth ultimately led to His crucifixion, as the religious leaders conspired to silence Him. But His death and resurrection proved that His message could not be silenced. As the cornerstone of God’s kingdom (Luke 20:17), Jesus remains the foundation of truth for all who believe.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think the spies used flattery when approaching Jesus, and what does this reveal about their intentions?
- How can you recognize the difference between genuine encouragement and manipulative flattery in your own life?
- Are there times when you’ve been tempted to say the right things outwardly without truly meaning them in your heart?
- How does Jesus’ example of teaching the truth without partiality inspire you to live boldly for Him?
- What steps can you take to ensure that your words of faith are backed by genuine commitment and action?