Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Luke 20:2–6

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

5 selected · 42 available

Add or remove verses within this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 39 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 2

  1. Acts 7:27Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    27But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

  2. Exodus 2:14Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    14And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

  3. John 2:18Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    18¶ Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

  4. Mark 11:28–33Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    28And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

    29And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

    30The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

    31And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

    32But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

    33And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

  5. Matthew 21:23–27Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    23¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

    24And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

    25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

    26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

    27And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

  6. Acts 4:7–10Rank 6 from verse 2
    Open

    7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

    8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

    9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

    10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

  7. Acts 7:35–39Rank 7 from verse 2
    Open

    35This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

    36He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

    37¶ This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

    38This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

    39To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

  8. Acts 7:51Rank 8 from verse 2
    Open

    51¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

  9. John 5:22–27Rank 9 from verse 2
    Open

    22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

    23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

    24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

    25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

    26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

    27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

  10. Luke 19:35–40Rank 10 from verse 2
    Open

    35And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

    36And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

    37And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

    38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

    39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

    40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

  11. Luke 19:45–46Rank 11 from verse 2
    Open

    45And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

    46Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

From verse 3

  1. Colossians 4:6Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

  2. Luke 22:68Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    68And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

  3. Matthew 15:2–3Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

    3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

From verse 4

  1. Luke 15:18Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

  2. Matthew 11:7–19Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    7¶ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

    8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

    9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

    10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

    11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

    12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

    13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

    14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

    15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

    16¶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

    17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

    18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

    19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

  3. Daniel 4:25–26Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    25That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

    26And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

  4. John 1:19–28Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    19¶ And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

    20And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

    21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

    22Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

    23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

    24And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

    25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

    26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

    27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

    28These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

  5. Luke 7:28–35Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    28For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

    29And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

    30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

    31¶ And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

    32They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

    33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

    34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

    35But wisdom is justified of all her children.

  6. Matthew 17:11–12Rank 6 from verse 4
    Open

    11And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

    12But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

  7. Matthew 21:25–32Rank 7 from verse 4
    Open

    25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

    26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

    27And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

    28¶ But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

    29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

    30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

    31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

    32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

  8. John 1:6Rank 8 from verse 4
    Open

    6¶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

From verse 5

  1. Acts 13:25Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    25And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

  2. John 1:15–18Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    15¶ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

    16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

    17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

    18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

  3. John 1:30Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

  4. John 1:34Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

  5. John 3:26Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

  6. John 3:36Rank 6 from verse 5
    Open

    36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  7. John 5:33–35Rank 7 from verse 5
    Open

    33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

    34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

    35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

From verse 6

  1. Matthew 21:26Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

  2. Matthew 11:9Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

  3. Acts 5:26Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

  4. John 10:41Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    41And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

  5. Luke 1:76Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

  6. Luke 7:26–29Rank 6 from verse 6
    Open

    26But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

    27This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

    28For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

    29And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

  7. Mark 12:12Rank 7 from verse 6
    Open

    12And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

  8. Matthew 14:5Rank 8 from verse 6
    Open

    5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

  9. Matthew 21:46Rank 9 from verse 6
    Open

    46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

  10. Matthew 26:5Rank 10 from verse 6
    Open

    5But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:2

COMBINED MEANING

spake

↗

The past tense of speak: uttered or expressed words, addressed someone, or communicated a matter in words.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tell

↗

1. To speak, relate, declare, report, inform, explain, reveal, recount, or make known. 2. To know, discern, or determine, especially in 'cannot tell' or 'who can tell.' 3. To count, number, or enumerate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

authority

↗

1. The right or power to command, rule, judge, speak, or act. 2. A position or exercise of such rule or power.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

gave

↗

1. Bestowed, delivered, or granted. 2. Caused or appointed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:3

COMBINED MEANING

answered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

answer

↗

Sense 1: A reply or response. Sense 2: As a verb, to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:4

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:5

COMBINED MEANING

reasoned

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of reason, meaning to think, discuss, or argue.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

believed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of believe. Sense 1: To accept as true on testimony or evidence; to be persuaded. Sense 2: To trust or place confidence in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:6

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stone

↗

Sense 1: A piece or mass of rock. Sense 2: To strike or kill with stones.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

persuaded

↗

Influenced or drawn to an opinion or determination by argument, advice or reasons suggested; convinced; induced.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

prophet

↗

A person who declares or bears a message as divinely inspired, including one who foretells, whether truly or falsely.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Luke 20:1–8

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

20:1AND it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

20:2And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

Selected passage

20:3And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

Selected passage

20:4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

Selected passage

20:5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

Selected passage

20:6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

Selected passage

20:7And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

20:8And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.