Luke 11 54

Luke 11:54 kjv

Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Luke 11:54 nkjv

lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.

Luke 11:54 niv

waiting to catch him in something he might say.

Luke 11:54 esv

lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Luke 11:54 nlt

They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him.

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 54 Meaning

This verse vividly portrays the immediate and sinister reaction of the scribes and Pharisees to Jesus' profound condemnation of their hypocrisy and unrighteousness (Luke 11:37-52). Instead of self-reflection or repentance, they doubled down on their antagonism. They strategically ambushed Jesus, not physically but verbally, creating an environment designed to entrap Him. Their primary goal was to catch Him in His words, seeking out any statement—a perceived misstep, a controversial opinion, or what they might deem blasphemy or sedition—that they could formally use as evidence to accuse Him. This accusation aimed to discredit His teaching, undermine His authority, and ultimately, provide grounds for His legal condemnation.

Luke 11 54 Context

Luke 11:54 concludes a pivotal section where Jesus intensely confronts the religious leaders of Israel. Following a dinner invitation from a Pharisee, Jesus denounces their superficial piety and legalistic oppression in a series of "Woe to you" pronouncements (Luke 11:37-52). These indictments target their inner corruption, hypocrisy, obsession with external appearances, and the historical persecution of prophets by their ancestors. Jesus reveals their true character as those who hinder people from entering the kingdom of God (Luke 11:52). Verse 53 indicates their immediate aggressive response to His words, intensifying the pressure on Him. Luke 11:54 details their hostile intent. This escalating tension forms a critical part of Luke's narrative, showcasing the rejection of God's Anointed One by those who claimed to be guardians of His law, and it foreshadows the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. Historically, this antagonism was rooted in Jesus' challenge to their authority and interpretation of the Mosaic Law, contrasting their man-made traditions with God's true intentions for the covenant people.

Luke 11 54 Word analysis

• laying wait for him (ἐνεδρεύοντες αὐτόν - enedreuontes auton):
  • Enedreuontes (from enedra, ambush/hidden place) implies a calculated, deceptive, and hostile lurking. It signifies setting a trap for an unsuspecting target, not an open challenge.
  • This is covert malice, highlighting their refusal for genuine engagement with truth.
  • The Greek participle "laying wait" shows a continuous, ongoing, and persistent effort to entrap Him.
• and seeking (καὶ ζητοῦντες - kai zētountes):
  • The conjunction "and" connects their vigilant waiting with a purposeful, active search for something.
  • Zētountes indicates a deliberate and persistent investigation to achieve their objective.
• to catch (τι λαβεῖν - ti labein):
  • Labein means "to take" or "to seize." Here, it specifically denotes trapping words as if catching an animal or securing evidence.
  • Ti means "something" or "anything," showing they were desperately looking for even the slightest error, an indiscretion, or a controversial statement to exploit.
• out of his mouth (ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ - ek tou stomatos autou):
  • This phrase clarifies that the target of their trap was Jesus' spoken words. They sought to use His own divine, authoritative words against Him.
  • His speech was their focus because His teachings and claims challenged their entrenched religious system.
• that they might accuse him (ἵνα κατηγορήσωσιν αὐτοῦ - hina katēgorēsōsin autou):
  • Hina introduces the purpose, revealing the sinister motivation behind all their actions: formal legal accusation.
  • Katēgorēsōsin signifies bringing formal charges, often in a court or religious tribunal. This was not a theological dispute, but a judicial plot.
  • Their malicious intent was to legitimize their rejection of Him through legal condemnation.

Luke 11 54 Words-group by words-group analysis

• "laying wait for him, and seeking to catch": This grouping highlights a combined strategic approach: continuous vigilance and active pursuit. It depicts a premeditated, malicious hunt, emphasizing their determined and cunning mindset rather than impulsive anger. Their intention was to ensnare Jesus.
• "something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him": This phrase clearly links the specific object of their trap—Jesus' words—to their ultimate goal: legal condemnation. It exposes the manipulative and deceptive core of their opposition. Their singular focus on obtaining grounds for accusation reveals their complete rejection of His message and His person, and their willingness to pervert justice to eliminate Him.

Luke 11 54 Bonus section

• The persistence implied by "laying wait" (present participle) signifies the unyielding resolve of Jesus' adversaries in their malicious intent, a determination that would ultimately lead to His unjust trial and execution.
• This specific verse powerfully illustrates the principle that genuine spiritual light often provokes hostility rather than acceptance in unrepentant hearts, demonstrating the dangerous escalation of spiritual pride and envy when confronted by God's truth.
• The strategy of attempting to "catch something out of His mouth" became a recurring theme throughout Jesus' public ministry, showcasing a consistent pattern of His adversaries' attempts to manufacture charges against Him, prefiguring the false testimonies during His trial.

Luke 11 54 Commentary

Luke 11:54 serves as a dramatic and somber conclusion to Jesus' sharp indictment of the Pharisees and lawyers. Humiliated and enraged by His unvarnished truth, these religious leaders did not seek repentance but deepened their hostility. Their approach was insidious: an active, predatory vigilance ("laying wait") and an earnest search ("seeking") to ensnare Jesus through His own words ("catch something out of his mouth"). Their specific aim ("that they might accuse him") reveals their desire not for intellectual victory or spiritual truth, but for legal ammunition to silence, discredit, and ultimately destroy Him. This malicious plotting underscores the deep spiritual blindness and hardening of hearts that characterized many among the religious elite, contrasting starkly with Jesus' truth and divine authority. This verse sets the stage for the escalating opposition that culminates in His Passion.