Luke 20:20

20 And, having watched [him], they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor,

Luke 20:20 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:20

And they watched him
What he said, and what he did, and where he went, that they might take an advantage against him, or know where he was, to send to him, as they should think fit, and take the best opportunity of so doing. The Syriac and Persic versions leave out this clause:

and sent forth spies which should feign themselves just men:
of virtue and religion, conscientious men, that would do nothing but what was just and right, and were desirous of being exactly informed of the truth of things, that they might act right in every punctilio:

that might take hold of his words;
improve them, and form a charge upon them, of sedition and treason:

that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of
the governor;
the Roman governor, and by him be put to death. These men were some of them the disciples of the Pharisees, and others were Herodians; see ( Matthew 22:16 ) .

Luke 20:20 In-Context

18 every one who hath fallen on that stone shall be broken, and on whom it may fall, it will crush him to pieces.'
19 And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him in that hour, and they feared the people, for they knew that against them he spake this simile.
20 And, having watched [him], they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor,
21 and they questioned him, saying, `Teacher, we have known that thou dost say and teach rightly, and dost not accept a person, but in truth the way of God dost teach;
22 Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?'
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.