Luke 20:39

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(39) Master, thou hast well said.—The words came, it is obvious, from the better section of the Pharisees, who welcomed this new defence of the doctrine on which their faith rested.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:39-47 The scribes commended the reply Christ made to the Sadducees about the resurrection, but they were silenced by a question concerning the Messiah. Christ, as God, was David's Lord; but Christ, as man, was David's son. The scribes would receive the severest judgement for defrauding the poor widows, and for their abuse of religion, particularly of prayer, which they used as a pretence for carrying on worldly and wicked plans. Dissembled piety is double sin. Then let us beg of God to keep us from pride, ambition, covetousness, and every evil thing; and to teach us to seek that honour which comes from him alone.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Mark 12:32.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

39. scribes … well said—enjoying His victory over the Sadducees.

they durst not—neither party, both for the time utterly foiled.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Ver. 39,40 The scribes were the Jewish doctors of the Pharisees faction, and enemies to the Sadducees; they applaud our Saviour’s answer: thus as the Herodians before, (in the case of the tribute), so the Sadducees here, are put to silence. He will now put the scribes and Pharisees to silence.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then certain of the Scribes, answering said,.... Who believed the doctrine of the resurrection, which the Sadducees denied, and so were pleased with our Lord's reasoning on this subject:

master, thou hast well said; thou hast spoken in a beautiful manner, reasoned finely upon this head, and set this matter in a fair and clear light; See Gill on Mark 12:28

Geneva Study Bible

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 20:39. καλῶς εἶπας, Thou hast spoken well; complimentary, but insincere, or only half sincere. They are glad to have the Sadducees put down, but not glad that Jesus triumphed.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

39. Then certain of the scribes] Even the Pharisees could not fail to see the luminous wisdom and spiritual depth of our Lord’s reply, and while all of them would rejoice at this unanswerable confutation of their hereditary opponents, some of them would have the candour to express their approval. Truth will always offend some, but others will value it. After this grateful acknowledgment, however, one of them could not refrain from gratifying the insatiable spirit of casuistry by asking Christ ‘which is the great commandment of the Law?’ (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34.) This incident is omitted by St Luke, because he has given similar ones before.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 20:39. Καλῶς εἶπας, Thou hast well said) On this ground also, as well as on others, the truth should be freely spoken, because, though (when) it offends some, it however is approved of by others.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 39, 40. - Then certain of the scribes answering, said, Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. "This prompt and sublime answer filled with admiration the scribes, who had so often sought this decisive word in Hoses without finding it; they cannot restrain themselves from testifying their joyful surprise. Aware from this time forth that every snare laid for him will be the occasion for a glorious manifestation of his wisdom, they give up this method of attack" (Godet). Luke 20:39