Luke 20 · Verse 21

Luke 20:21

And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
Luke 20:21, King James Version

Luke 20:21 in other translations

BSB“Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
WEBThey asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God.
ASVAnd they asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest not the person of any, but of a truth teachest the way of God:
YLTand they questioned him, saying, ‘Teacher, we have known that thou dost say and teach rightly, and dost not accept a person, but in truth the way of God dost teach;
DARBYAnd they asked him saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest no man's person, but teachest with truth the way of God:
BBEAnd they put a question to him, saying, Master, we are certain that your teaching and your words are right, and that you have no respect for a man's position, but you are teaching the true way of God:
WebsterAnd they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

What does Luke 20:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 20:20-26

Lu 20:20-40. Entangling Questions about Tribute and the Resurrection--The Replies. 20-26. sent forth--after consulting (Mt 22:15) on the best plan. spies--"of the Pharisees and Herodians" (Mr 12:13). See Mr 3:6.

Read the full comment on Luke 20:20-26 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21.

(1) "truly" or, "of a truth"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 20:20-26

Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and…

Read the full comment on Luke 20:20-26 →

Luke 20:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐπηρώτησανepērōtēsanthey questionedG1905
αὐτὸνautonHimG846
λέγοντες·legontessaying;G3004
διδάσκαλε,didaskaleTeacher,G1320
οἴδαμενoidamenwe know
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ὀρθῶςorthōsrightlyG3723
λέγειςlegeisYou speakG3004
καὶkaiandG2532
διδάσκειςdidaskeisYou teachG1321
καὶkaiandG2532
οὐounotG3756
λαμβάνειςlambaneisYou receiveG2983
πρόσωπονprosōpon[any] personG4383
ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ἐπ᾽ep᾽on the basis ofG1909
ἀληθείαςalētheiastruthG225
τὴνtēntheG3588
ὁδὸνhodonwayG3598
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
διδάσκεις.didaskeisteach.G1321

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 20:21

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5

    But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

  • Matthew 22:16

    And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

  • Matthew 26:49-50

    And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:17

    For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

  • Psalms 55:21

    The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

  • Psalms 12:2

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

  • Mark 12:14

    And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

  • John 3:2

    The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

  • Galatians 1:10

    For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

  • Acts 10:34-35

    Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

  • Job 34:19

    How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

  • Jeremiah 42:2-3

    And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the Lord thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) That the Lord thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Master.
Ps 12:2; 55:21; Jer 42:2,3; Mt 22:16; 26:49,50; Mr 12:14; Joh 3:2
sayest.
2Co 2:17; Ga 1:10; 1Th 2:4,5
acceptest.
2Ch 19:7; Job 34:19; Ac 10:34,35; Ga 2:6
truly. or, of a truth.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 20:20

    And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

  • Luke 20:21

    And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

  • Luke 20:22

    Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no?

Read all of Luke 20

Luke 20:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Los cuales le preguntaron, diciendo: Maestro, sabemos que dices y enseñas bien, y que no tienes respeto á persona; antes enseñas el camino de Dios con verdad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et ils l’interrogèrent, disant: Maître, nous savons que tu dis et que tu enseignes justement, et que tu n’as point égard à l’apparence des personnes, mais que tu enseignes la voie de Dieu avec vérité.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und sie fragten ihn und sagten: Lehrer, wir wissen, daß du recht redest und lehrst und die Person nicht ansiehst, sondern den Weg Gottes in Wahrheit lehrst.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et interrogaverunt eum, dicentes: Magister, scimus quia recte dicis et doces: et non accipis personam, sed viam Dei in veritate doces.