Definition: And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 20:20. It’s a really important passage about Jesus’s arrest and trial. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus was arrested and brought before the Roman authorities (the governor). They weren’t just surprised; they planned to try and trick him into saying or doing something that would make them believe he was guilty of something wrong. They were essentially trying to manipulate him with lies. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And they watched [him]…” : This means the people who were watching Jesus were observing what was happening. They weren’t just passively seeing; they were paying attention and recording. “…and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men…” : This is where it gets a little tricky. The Romans (the authorities) didn't just simply arrest him. They sent people to investigate and pretend to be men – to act like ordinary people. They were trying to create a situation where Jesus would say or do something that would make them think he was guilty of something, like a crime. “…that they might take hold of his words…” : The spies were there to try and understand Jesus’s teachings and messages. They wanted to grasp what he was saying. "...that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor." : This is the key part. The Romans, believing Jesus was guilty, wanted to hand him over – give him over – to the authorities (the governor). They thought this would be a way to control or punish him. In short, it’s a strategy by the Roman authorities to manipulate Jesus into saying or doing something that would make them believe he was guilty of a crime. Why is this important? This passage shows that even though Jesus was innocent and loved, those in power weren't willing to let him go free. They wanted to control his message and put him under their watch. It’s a warning about the potential for deception and manipulation, even when people are trying to do what's right or good. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme? Give you some context about the time period?