Luke 20:39
What does Luke 20:39 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:39 means
Intriguingly, some of the scribes, who were often at odds with Jesus but also held different theological views from the Sadducees (for instance, believing in the resurrection), responded positively. They declared, "Teacher, thou hast well said." This favorable response highlights the brilliance of Jesus' argument, which even His usual adversaries acknowledged as sound and scripturally grounded. It also reveals the internal divisions among the Jewish religious leaders, showing that not all were monolithic in their opposition to Jesus, especially when His teaching aligned with their own beliefs against rival factions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And certain of the scribes answering said, Teacher, thou hast well said.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And certain of the scribes answering said, Teacher, thou hast well said.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And some of the scribes, in answer to this, said, Master, you have said well.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And certain of the scribes answering said, `Teacher, thou didst say well;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And some of the scribes answering, said to him: Master, thou hast said well.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And some of the scribes answering said, Teacher, thou hast well spoken.
Context
This verse reports the reaction of some scribes, who commend Jesus' answer, immediately following His definitive refutation of the Sadducees. This positive response from a faction of the religious leaders highlights the power and wisdom of Jesus' teaching, even among those who were frequently His opponents. This commendation and the Sadducees' subsequent silence mark the clear end of this particular confrontation, leaving Jesus free to ask His own questions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 22:34
But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together.
- Mark 12:28
And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all?
- Acts 23:9
And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?
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