New Testament
Luke 20:21
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
These spies said, "Teacher, we know you speak and teach what is right. You don't show favoritism but truly teach God's way.
Compare translations
And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
What Luke 20:21 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, a group of spies approaches Jesus with flattery, acknowledging His teaching as just and impartial. They recognize that He does not show favoritism, meaning He treats everyone equally and teaches God's truth without bias. This statement highlights the integrity of Jesus' message and His commitment to God's principles. The spies, however, have ulterior motives, as they are trying to trap Him with their questions. Their acknowledgment of His righteousness serves to set the stage for their attempt to challenge His authority. This moment illustrates the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, who are threatened by His influence and the truth He represents. It also emphasizes the importance of teaching and living out God's way without prejudice, a key aspect of Jesus' ministry that resonates with His followers today.
How to apply Luke 20:21 to your life
We should strive to teach and live out God's truth without showing favoritism. This means treating everyone with respect and fairness, regardless of their background or status. By embodying these values, we can reflect Christ's character in our interactions with others.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Questions in the Temple (Luke 20:20–44)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Luke 20:21
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Luke 20:21
Related Bible verses
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 20:21 mean?
Luke 20:21 describes a group of spies flattering Jesus by acknowledging His fair and truthful teaching. They recognize that He does not show favoritism, which highlights His integrity and commitment to God's principles, even as they plan to challenge Him.
What is the significance of impartiality in Luke 20:21?
Impartiality in Luke 20:21 emphasizes that Jesus teaches God's truth without bias, treating everyone equally. This quality is crucial for His ministry and serves as a model for how we should interact with others.
How does Luke 20:21 relate to teaching God's way?
Luke 20:21 highlights that teaching God's way involves being truthful and impartial. Jesus exemplifies this by not showing favoritism, which is a key aspect of His message and ministry.
What does the flattery in Luke 20:21 indicate?
The flattery in Luke 20:21 indicates the spies' ulterior motives as they seek to trap Jesus. While they acknowledge His righteousness, their praise is insincere and serves to set up their challenge against Him.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.