Luke 3 20

Luke 3:20 kjv

Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

Luke 3:20 nkjv

also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

Luke 3:20 niv

Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

Luke 3:20 esv

added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

Luke 3:20 nlt

So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 20 Meaning

Luke 3:20 states that Herod Antipas, having already committed various other evil deeds, climaxed his wickedness by imprisoning John the Baptist. This act marked a decisive turning point in John’s public ministry, signaling Herod’s ultimate rejection of God’s truth spoken through the prophet and establishing John’s subsequent path to martyrdom. It highlights the consequence of bold proclamation of truth to power and the escalating nature of unrepentant sin.

Luke 3 20 Context

Luke 3:20 concludes a section describing John the Baptist's ministry and confrontation with Herod Antipas. Immediately prior, Luke 3:19 explicitly states that John rebuked Herod not only for unlawfully marrying Herodias (his brother Philip's wife, a clear violation of Mosaic Law) but also "for all the evil things that Herod had done." Thus, the imprisonment was the culmination of Herod's escalating antagonism towards divine truth and a bold prophet who dared to speak it. This event sets the stage for the narrative's shift towards Jesus, who is baptized in the verses immediately following (Luke 3:21-22), indicating a transition of the central focus from John to Christ. Historically, Herod Antipas was a tetrarch ruling Galilee and Perea, appointed by Rome. His political authority, combined with a volatile personal life and sensitivity to public criticism, created a dangerous environment for a truth-telling prophet like John. John’s confrontation was not merely a personal critique but a public declaration of God's unchanging law, challenging the very moral fabric of the ruling elite.

Luke 3 20 Word analysis

• added (προσέθηκε - prosethēke): From prostithemi, meaning "to put to," "to add besides," "to give in addition." It emphasizes that Herod’s act of imprisoning John was not an isolated incident but a final, aggravated deed piled on top of all his existing "evil things." It portrays a cumulative and worsening pattern of sin, suggesting a moral downhill slide that culminated in this act of oppression against a righteous man.
• this also (τοῦτο καὶ): The phrase signifies that this specific act of shutting John in prison was another evil, but implied to be the ultimate or most decisive of Herod's wicked actions against John himself, bringing Herod’s wickedness to a new level. It serves as the culmination point after John's earlier rebuke.
• to them all (αὐτοῖς πᾶσιν - autois pasin): This phrase can be interpreted in a few ways, but the most direct reading implies "to all his other [evil deeds]." It means the imprisonment of John was the final addition to the extensive list of Herod’s documented "evil things," marking the crescendo of his moral failings and the extent of his depravity.
• that he shut up (κατέκλεισεν - katekneisen): From katakleio, meaning "to shut in," "to imprison," "to confine closely." This strong verb denotes a deliberate act of restriction, isolation, and control. It highlights the physical captivity of John, directly caused by Herod’s will to silence the inconvenient prophetic voice.
• John (Ἰωάννην - Iōannēn): Refers to John the Baptist, the powerful wilderness prophet, cousin of Jesus, whose mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah, call people to repentance, and baptize with water. He was known for his uncompromising integrity and fearless confrontation of sin.
• in prison (ἐν φυλακῇ - en phylakē): Meaning "in custody," "in a guard-house," "in jail," or "a place of detention." This signifies the complete loss of freedom and the physical confinement of John. It underscores the political consequence of John's message and his fate as a prophet challenging unjust authority.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison": This entire phrase encapsulates the escalation of Herod’s sin. It illustrates that merely tolerating sin was not enough; unrepentance led him to actively suppress the very voice calling him to repentance. The imprisonment of John stands as the most notable evil directly inflicted by Herod upon the prophet, signifying his personal rejection of the prophetic warning. This specific act highlights the moral bankruptcy of Herod Antipas, driven by personal grievance (Herodias) and political expedience, culminating in the silencing of divine truth.

Luke 3 20 Bonus section

The narrative of John's imprisonment immediately preceding Jesus's baptism (Luke 3:21-22) is chronologically significant. It illustrates the passing of the torch from the forerunner to the Messiah, marking the formal end of John’s preparatory ministry and the inauguration of Jesus’s public work. John's fate foreshadows the ultimate rejection Jesus himself would face, highlighting a continuity in the suffering of God's righteous messengers. This imprisonment wasn't just a political act, but a profound spiritual turning point where Herod chose darkness over the light of truth John presented. Herod's seemingly successful suppression of John would, ironically, only hasten God's divine plan through Jesus Christ.

Luke 3 20 Commentary

Luke 3:20 is a brief but potent statement that acts as a pivot in the narrative. It starkly reveals the hardening of Herod Antipas’s heart against the truth spoken by John the Baptist. While Luke 3:19 lists John’s rebuke for Herodias and "all the evil things," verse 20 emphasizes that Herod's ultimate response was not repentance, but to add imprisonment to his list of wicked acts, effectively silencing the messenger. This action reflects the age-old conflict between divine truth and corrupt worldly power, where righteousness often leads to persecution. John's courage in speaking truth to power highlights the call to prophetic witness, regardless of the personal cost. Herod's unrepentant escalation of sin, culminating in this act, foretells his further complicity in John's later execution (Matthew 14, Mark 6). This brief verse thus summarizes the culmination of John's public ministry leading to his subsequent martyrdom and marks a turning point as the focus shifts entirely to Jesus and the commencement of His public ministry.

• Example 1: The verse serves as a sober reminder that persistent rejection of God's Word often leads to increased hostility towards its messengers.
• Example 2: It exemplifies prophetic courage; true prophets prioritize God's message over personal safety or political favor.
• Example 3: It shows how personal immorality can blind leaders to truth and lead them to commit grave injustices against the innocent.