Luk 20:20 | NET2full | STEP | Then they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere . They wanted to take advantage of what he might say so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor .

‏ Luke 20:20

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 Then ^{▼▼tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. ^{▼▼tn Grk “righteous,” but in this context the point is their false sincerity.} They wanted to take advantage of what he might say ^{▼▼tn Grk “so that they might catch him in some word.”} so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction ^{▼▼tn This word is often translated “authority” in other contexts, but here, in combination with ἀρχή (archē), it refers to the domain or sphere of the governor’s rule (L&N 37.36).} of the governor.