Luke 3:20
What does Luke 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 3:20 means
Herod's imprisonment of John was the final, and perhaps most grievous, of his many evil acts. By silencing the prophet who dared expose his sin, Herod demonstrated his defiance against God's truth. This act not only ended John's freedom but also revealed the pervasive spiritual darkness in positions of authority, ultimately paving the way for the full emergence of Jesus' public ministry without John's concurrent presence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Did this most evil thing of all, and had John shut up in prison.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862added also this to all, that he shut up John in the prison.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He added this also above all and shut up John in prison.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890added this also to all [the rest], that he shut up John in prison.
Context
This verse further emphasizes the wickedness of Herod, framing John's imprisonment as just one more in a series of his evil deeds. It concludes the account of John’s public ministry, clearing the narrative space for the next crucial event. This event serves as a somber transition before the monumental baptism of Jesus unfolds.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 24:4
and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood: and Jehovah would not pardon.
- John 3:24
For John was not yet cast into prison.
- Matthew 23:31
Wherefore ye witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of them that slew the prophets.
- 2 Kings 21:16
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; besides his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah.
- Matthew 21:35
And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15
who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men;
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