A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 11:54

"laying wait for him, to catch something out of his mouth." — Luke 11:54 (ASV)

Laying wait for him (ενεδρευοντες αυτον). An old verb from εν and εδρα, a seat, so to lie in ambush for one. Here only and Ac 23:21 in the N.T. Vivid picture of the anger of these rabbis who were treating Jesus as if he were a beast of prey.

To catch something out of his mouth (θηρευσα το εκ του στοματος αυτου). An old Greek verb, though here only in the N.T., from θηρα (cf. Romans 11:9), to ensnare, to catch in hunting, to hunt. These graphic words from the chase show the rage of the rabbis toward Jesus. Luke gives more details here than in 20:45-47; Matthew 23:1–7, but there is no reason at all why Jesus should not have had this conflict at the Pharisee's breakfast before that in the temple in the great Tuesday debate.