Luke 20 39

Luke 20:39 kjv

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

Luke 20:39 nkjv

Then some of the scribes answered and said, "Teacher, You have spoken well."

Luke 20:39 niv

Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!"

Luke 20:39 esv

Then some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well."

Luke 20:39 nlt

"Well said, Teacher!" remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there.

Luke 20 verses

Luke 20 39 Meaning

Luke 20:39 captures a moment of commendation towards Jesus following His masterful rebuttal of the Sadducees regarding the resurrection. Some scribes, recognizing the brilliance and scriptural soundness of Jesus's teaching, affirmed His words as well-spoken. This verse highlights the profound wisdom emanating from Christ, which even those typically adversarial were compelled to acknowledge, marking a rare instance of approval amidst the mounting opposition.

Luke 20 39 Context

Luke 20:39 occurs during Jesus's final week in Jerusalem, a period marked by intense interrogations and confrontations from various Jewish leadership factions, including chief priests, scribes, elders, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Immediately preceding this verse (Luke 20:27-38), Jesus engages in a theological debate with the Sadducees. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, spirits, or angels, presented Jesus with a convoluted scenario involving a woman married successively to seven brothers, attempting to ridicule the concept of resurrection. Jesus powerfully refutes their premise, correcting their understanding of Scripture and the power of God, concluding that God is "the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" – a God not of the dead, but of the living, indicating the resurrection. This astute and scripturally grounded response is what elicits the commendation from the scribes. The broader historical context is one of significant religious and political tension, with Jesus challenging the established religious authorities and their interpretations of the Law.

Luke 20 39 Word analysis

• Then (δὲ - de): This particle indicates a smooth transition, a continuation, or an immediate sequence. It connects the scribes' response directly to Jesus's preceding discourse with the Sadducees, indicating a direct reaction to what Jesus had just said.
• some of the scribes (τινὲς τῶν γραμματέων - tines tōn grammatéōn):
  • some (τινὲς - tines): This is crucial. It specifies that it was not all scribes, but a distinct group or individuals within their ranks. This suggests a varied reception of Jesus's teachings even among this learned class.
  • the scribes (τῶν γραμματέων - tōn grammatéōn): These were highly educated legal scholars and teachers of the Jewish Law, often associated with the Pharisaic party (who, unlike the Sadducees, did believe in the resurrection). Their role was to copy, interpret, and preserve the Scriptures. Their acknowledgment holds significant weight due to their expertise and often adversarial stance.
• answered (ἀποκριθέντες - apokrithentes): Implies a formal reply or reaction, demonstrating they were listening intently to the theological exchange and felt compelled to respond.
• 'Teacher' (Διδάσκαλε - Didaskale): A respectful address. This term, frequently used for Jesus, acknowledges Him as a respected instructor or master. While it doesn't necessarily imply a recognition of His divine Messiahship, it certainly indicates high regard for His intellectual and pedagogical abilities.
• 'you have spoken well.' (Καλῶς εἶπας - Kalōs eipas):
  • well (Καλῶς - Kalōs): More than just "good," kalōs refers to something done skillfully, commendably, rightly, beautifully, or honorably. It implies high quality, precision, and propriety. Here, it praises the excellence, logic, and truthfulness of Jesus's argument.
  • you have spoken (εἶπας - eipas): From the verb legō (to speak, say). The aorist tense implies a completed action: "you have indeed said." It's a definitive statement affirming the soundness of Jesus's specific words. This phrase functions as a strong endorsement of Jesus's profound understanding of Scripture and His ability to articulate it persuasively.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "Then some of the scribes answered": This phrase immediately places the focus on the reaction of a specific, influential group within the Jewish leadership. It highlights a momentary break in the uniform opposition to Jesus, indicating His argument's compelling nature. It also sets up a potential division among the religious leaders, particularly between the Sadducees, who were just rebuked, and these scribes, who largely sided with the Pharisees on the resurrection.
• "'Teacher, you have spoken well.'": This full quotation captures both the respectful acknowledgment of Jesus's teaching authority and the profound appreciation for the content and method of His response. "You have spoken well" is an unqualified commendation of His wisdom and rhetorical skill, implying agreement with the theological substance of His argument regarding the resurrection, particularly in contrast to the Sadducean viewpoint.

Luke 20 39 Bonus section

This verse serves as a quiet victory for Jesus in a landscape of mounting opposition. It subtly exposes the intellectual limitations of His opponents who relied on human logic rather than divine revelation. The scribes' statement can be seen as an admission that Jesus possessed a wisdom superior to their own learned traditions. While this moment of agreement is fleeting—the larger narrative shows continued opposition from these groups—it highlights Jesus's divine authority and the undeniable truth in His words. It demonstrates that not all opposition was uniform, and even some highly educated religious leaders could recognize and commend the clarity of His teachings when faced with undeniable truth. The scribes' commendation implicitly criticizes the Sadducees' faulty theology and method of interpretation, siding with Jesus's exposition. This is also one of the few instances where elements of the religious leadership offer Jesus genuine (even if limited) praise for His teaching prowess.

Luke 20 39 Commentary

This concise verse, Luke 20:39, serves as a pivotal moment in the escalating tension surrounding Jesus in Jerusalem. It underscores the exceptional nature of Jesus's wisdom and teaching. After skillfully dismantling the Sadducees' challenge regarding the resurrection, Jesus garners an unusual commendation from some scribes. This is significant because scribes were generally wary, if not hostile, towards Jesus, yet in this instance, His scriptural reasoning was so irrefutable and brilliant that even they—whose primary role was interpreting the Law—could not help but acknowledge its profound truth. This public affirmation from some among the Jewish scholars validates Jesus's profound understanding of God's Word and power. It also subtly highlights the theological rift between the Sadducees (who denied the resurrection) and the Pharisees (with whom these scribes were often allied, and who affirmed it). Jesus's defense of the resurrection was not merely astute; it was divine wisdom demonstrating truth so powerfully that it silenced adversaries and earned reluctant respect from scholars. This shows that divine truth, when presented clearly and with authority, can transcend even hardened theological and political divisions.