Luke 3:20
New International Version
Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

New Living Translation
So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

English Standard Version
added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

Berean Standard Bible
Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

Berean Literal Bible
also added this to all: He also locked up John in prison.

King James Bible
Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

New King James Version
also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

New American Standard Bible
Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

NASB 1995
Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

NASB 1977
he added this also to them all, that he locked John up in prison.

Legacy Standard Bible
Herod also added this to them all: he locked John up in prison.

Amplified Bible
he also added this to them all: he locked up John in prison.

Berean Annotated Bible
Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

Christian Standard Bible
Herod added this to everything else—he locked up John in prison.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
added this to everything else—he locked John up in prison.

American Standard Version
added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Contemporary English Version
Finally, Herod put John in jail, and this was the worst thing he had done.

English Revised Version
added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Herod added one more evil to all the others; he locked John in prison.

Good News Translation
Then Herod did an even worse thing by putting John in prison.

International Standard Version
Added to all this, Herod locked John up in prison.

NET Bible
Herod added this to them all: He locked up John in prison.

New Heart English Bible
added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Webster's Bible Translation
Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

Weymouth New Testament
now added this to crown all the rest, that he threw John into prison.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

World English Bible
added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
added also this to all, that he shut up John in the prison.

Berean Literal Bible
also added this to all: He also locked up John in prison.

Young's Literal Translation
added also this to all, that he shut up John in the prison.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he added this to all, and shut up John in prison.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He added this also above all, and shut up John in prison.

Catholic Public Domain Version
added this also, above all else: that he confined John to prison.

New American Bible
added still another to these by [also] putting John in prison.

New Revised Standard Version
added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Added this also to them all, that he put John into prison.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He added this to all these things and shut Yohannan in prison.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Godbey New Testament
added also this to all, and shut up John in prison.

Haweis New Testament
added this also to all the rest, and shut up John in prison.

Mace New Testament
to compleat all the rest, Herod confin'd John in prison.

Weymouth New Testament
now added this to crown all the rest, that he threw John into prison.

Worrell New Testament
added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.

Worsley New Testament
added this likewise to all the rest, that he shut up John in prison.

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Mission of John the Baptist
19But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison. 21When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened,…

Cross References
Herod added this to them all:

Job 34:37
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

Psalm 69:27
Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not share in Your righteousness.

1 Samuel 12:19
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”
He locked John up in prison.

Matthew 14:3
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

Mark 6:17
For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.

Matthew 11:2
Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
John 3:24
(For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)

Matthew 4:12
When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.

Mark 1:14
After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.

John 1:6-8
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

John 1:19-28
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” …

Matthew 17:12-13
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Mark 9:11-13
And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / He replied, “Elijah does indeed come first, and he restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected? / But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Acts 13:24-25
Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. / As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

Matthew 21:25-26
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ / But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Mark 11:30-32
John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!” / They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ / But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.


Treasury of Scripture

Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

Luke 13:31-34
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee…

2 Kings 21:16
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 24:4
And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.

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Added Brother's Deeds Evil Herod Herodias John Locked Prison Rebuked Repeatedly Rest Shut Tetrarch Wicked Wife
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Added Brother's Deeds Evil Herod Herodias John Locked Prison Rebuked Repeatedly Rest Shut Tetrarch Wicked Wife
Luke 3
1. The preaching and baptism of John;
15. his testimony of Jesus;
19. Herod imprisons John;
21. Jesus, baptized, receives testimony from heaven.
23. The age and genealogy of Jesus from Joseph upwards.












Herod added this to them all:

Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, had already committed many wrongs, including marrying Herodias, the wife of his half brother Philip. John publicly rebuked him for this unlawful union and for his other evil deeds.

Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands…
Psa 69:27 Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not share…
1Sa 12:19 They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God…

He locked John up in prison.

Herod imprisoned John, likely at the fortress of Machaerus east of the Dead Sea, both to silence his rebuke and to protect his political position. John’s arrest marked the beginning of the suffering that would lead to his execution.

Mat 14:3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him…
Mrk 6:17 For Herod himself had ordered John arrested and imprisoned…
Mat 11:2 Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Herod Antipas
The tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, known for his role in the imprisonment and eventual execution of John the Baptist. He was a ruler who often acted out of political expediency and personal immorality.

2. John the Baptist
A prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for his call to repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. His boldness in speaking against Herod's unlawful marriage led to his imprisonment.

3. Prison
The place where John the Baptist was confined. This event marks a significant point in John's ministry, as it transitions from public proclamation to suffering for righteousness.
Teaching Points
Courage in Truth-Telling
John the Baptist exemplifies the courage to speak truth to power, even at great personal cost. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions, regardless of the consequences.

The Cost of Discipleship
Following Christ and proclaiming His truth may lead to persecution or suffering. This passage reminds us of the potential cost of discipleship and the need for steadfast faith.

God's Sovereignty in Trials
Despite John's imprisonment, God's purposes were not thwarted. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem dire.

Moral Integrity
John's confrontation of Herod's sin highlights the importance of moral integrity and the call to uphold God's standards in a world that often opposes them.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Luke 3:20?

2. How does Herod's action in Luke 3:20 reflect rejection of God's message?

3. What can we learn about resisting sin from Herod's behavior in Luke 3:20?

4. How does Luke 3:20 connect to the theme of repentance in Luke 3?

5. How should Christians respond to authority figures who oppose God's truth, like Herod?

6. What steps can we take to avoid hardening our hearts like Herod did?

7. Why did Herod imprison John the Baptist according to Luke 3:20?

8. How does Luke 3:20 reflect on the abuse of power by leaders?

9. What does Luke 3:20 reveal about the consequences of speaking truth to power?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 3?


Verse 20. - He shut up John in prison. It did not enter into St. Luke's plan to write any detailed account of the circumstances which led to the death of the Baptist. The story (related at length by St. Matthew) was, no doubt, well known in all the Gentile Churches. He simply mentions the act which consigned the dauntless preacher to the dungeons of Herod's palace-fortress, close to the Dead Sea; it was termed Macha, or Machaerus. In closing his little sketch of the work of his Master's great pioneer, St. Luke wishes to show that the fearless Baptist was no respecter of persons. The despised collector of Roman tribute, the rough free lance or mercenary, the nameless legionary of Rome, was attacked for his evil life and his wanton excesses, with no greater hardihood than the prince who sat on the throne of the mighty Herods. True servant of his brave and patient Master, he paid the penalty of his splendid courage and, "like so many of earth's great ones, he passed through pain and agony to his rest."

Luke 3:20 shows Herod’s sin compounding: on top of immorality and other evils, he now imprisons the very prophet sent to call him back. The verse reveals the escalating nature of a hardened heart and the cost of prophetic faithfulness. Though John is confined, God’s purpose moves forward, teaching us to speak truth, expect resistance, and trust that the gospel cannot be chained.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Herod] added
προσέθηκεν (prosethēken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4369: To place (put) to, add; I do again. From pros and tithemi; to place additionally, i.e. Lay beside, annex, repeat.

this
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

them all:
πᾶσιν (pasin)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

He locked
κατέκλεισεν (katekleisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2623: To shut up, confine. From kata and kleio; to shut down, i.e. Incarcerate.

John {up}
Ἰωάννην (Iōannēn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

prison.
φυλακῇ (phylakē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5438: From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively.


Additonal Resources
Luke 3:20 Blue Letter Bible
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NT Gospels: Luke 3:20 Added this also to them all that (Luke Lu Lk)

Luke 3:19
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