Luke Chapter Twenty
Jesus' Authority is Challenged
[Text parallels Matthew 21:23-27 and Mark 11:27-33]
20:1 One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
One day, probably the day after He arrived, Jesus was approached by a contingent of religious leaders while He was preaching the gospel, which included the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. They asked Him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” A legitimate question as one would expect the Temple authorities to ask Jesus about His credentials, especially since He was not a student of any of their known scholars. They still believed that Jesus was just a man who studied or was taught Scripture by a rabbi, as they completely discounted the idea that He was a prophet or anyone else sent by God. So if Jesus answered the question by saying He was the Messiah or the Son of God, they could have Him arrested for blasphemy. Instead of falling for the obvious trap, Jesus said He would answer them if they could answer one of His questions.
Jesus asks them about John the Baptist, “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” The process of their rationalizing is also recorded here. If they answer, “from heaven,” then Jesus will ask them why didn’t they believe him. If they answer, “from man,” then the people will revolt against them and stone them to death, as they are convinced that John was a prophet. Since neither answer was acceptable, they replied that they did not know where John’s baptism came from. Jesus then told them that He would not answer by what authority He does these things.
Parable of the Wicked Tenants
[Text parallels Matthew 21:28-22:14 and Mark 12:1-12]
20:9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Immediately after talking with the Temple authorities, Jesus begins to tell a parable that encapsulates the spiritual condition of Israel at that time. The parable opens with a man who planted a vineyard and leased the use of the land to a number of tenants. The man left and went to visit another country for a long period of time. When it was time to “pay the rent,” the man sent a servant to collect some of the fruit of vineyard for payment. Instead of paying the servant, they beat him up and sent him away empty-handed. The man sent another servant, the tenants did the same thing and treated him shamefully, returning empty-handed. The owner sent a third servant who was wounded and thrown out, still no payment. The man wondered, “What shall I do?” He came up with the idea to send his son, thinking the tenants would respect him. But when the son arrived, the tenants recognized him as the heir and thought if they killed him the vineyard would be theirs to inherit, so they kill the beloved son.
Jesus stopped the story and asked those listening, “What will the owner of the vineyard do to them?” Before allowing anyone to answer, Jesus tells them that the owner will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. When they heard this (Greek ‘akousantes’,[1] to hear, but also implies comprehension) their response was “Surely not!” They understood who the players were, the vineyard owner was God, the vineyard included Israel and its people (see Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:7; Jeremiah 2:21)[2] and the wicked tenants were them, the religious leaders. By stating that the owner would give the vineyard to someone else meant that God would exile the Jews out of their land once again, which is exactly what happened (as prophesied by Jesus, see Luke 19:43-44).
Jesus turned and looked directly at the religious leaders and asked them what does the portion of Scripture that reads, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” mean? By quoting Psalm 118:22, Jesus points out that He is that stone, the same “Stone of Offense” that Isaiah wrote about that will cause many to stumble (see Isaiah 8:14-15). He further states that everyone who does fall on that stone will be crushed (not willing to accept as their Savior, see also Acts 4:11; Romans 9:30-33; 1 Peter 2:6-8).
Considerations
Seeing how the religious leaders were so blinded by their own ambitions and incorrect Scriptural interpretations, that even when they were literally staring at God, they never recognized Him. When we read how they treated Jesus, we can easily be justified in our anger towards them. However, history has shown us that it does not take much time for man to twist and corrupt God's Word. The church today stands as an example of division with each faction and denomination touting that, "they have it right." That seemingly never changes. But, with that said, we also need to understand that there were two Biblical storylines merging into one extremely important event.
The corruption and apathy towards God and the promotion of self-righteousness that prohibited the Jewish leadership and people to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, which would later result in both the city of Jerusalem and the Temple being destroyed, is one storyline. The other storyline began shortly after creation, with the fall of man, and the introduction of sin. A problem so big that mankind can't fix it. That is something that only God could do, and He did, by sending His Son. Now the two storylines come together.
We can get mad how the leadership treated and ultimately killed Jesus, but it was our sin that brought Him to the cross.
Paying Taxes to Caesar
[Text parallels Matthew 22:15-22 and Mark 12:13-17]
20:19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.
The parable of the wicked tenants was correctly interpreted by the religious leaders in attendance. Understanding that they were the “wicked tenants” in the parable, instead of examining their own beliefs or considering that Jesus spoke the truth, they were incensed. Now more motivated than before, they desperately desired to have Him arrested, but were concerned what the people would do. Especially in light of the fact that the Romans did not allow any form of insurrection.[3]
20:20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
Still completely depraved and prideful, the scribes and the chief priests were convinced that Jesus would do or say something that would ultimately stand contrary to Scripture. So they sent out spies to watch Jesus closely. One of their tactics was to pretend to be sincere and ask Him a question with the intention of trapping Him into say something worthy of incarceration. Here they have one of the spies approach Jesus, who first honors Him by saying that they know He speaks and teaches rightly (the truth), shows no partiality and teaches the correct way of God. Then he asks the trick question, “Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”[4] Jesus knowing that they were attempting to trap Him, asked to see a denarius coin. He asked whose image was on the coin, the people responded that it was Caesar’s image. Jesus then said, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” The Greek word translated as ‘render’, is ‘apodote’,[5] to give or do something out of obligation or expectation, such as paying a tax.
It would be easy to accept Jesus’ response as a reference to paying taxes. Those that were required by Rome, are to be paid to Rome. Those that are required by law (see Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21-32; Deuteronomy 12:5-18; 14:22-29; 26:12-14; Nehemiah 10:28-39, see also Matthew 17:24-27) are to be paid to the Temple. However, Jesus says, “to God the things that are God’s.” While the Temple taxes do indeed belong to God, we should look further and ask, is that what Jesus is referring to? It is interesting to note that there is one thing that does have His image on it, and is something that we possess which can be offered to Him. That something would be us. We are made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26), Jesus bought us with His blood and we belong to Him (see Galatians 3:13-15). Therefore our lives belong to Jesus and He should always be the priority in every Christian’s life.
Jesus’ response quickly defeated the scribes’ and chief priests’ attempt to trap Him. Luke notes that they were ‘marveling’ at His answer (Greek ‘thaumasantes’,[6] struck with admiration or astonishment) and nothing more was said or asked by them.
Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
[Text parallels Matthew 22:23-33 and Mark 12:18-27]
20:27 There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”
The Sadducees now approach Jesus with a question. Before recording the question, Luke offers insight that the Sadducees are the ones that believe that there will not be any form of resurrection of the dead at the end of time. The question is in regard to Deuteronomy 25:5-10 in what is commonly called “Levirate Marriage” (a Latin term meaning “husband’s brother,” or brother-in-law, the word is not associated with Levi, the tribe of Levi, Leviticus, nor the Levitical priesthood). The premise of the regulation is the continuation of the family name, if the husband dies before having any children, his brother is to take the widow as his wife and their offspring would carry the name of the brother that died. The Sadducees’ question is based on the unlikely scenario that a woman married a man who died before they had any children and became the wife of his brother and that brother died before having any offspring. This occurred seven times as the family had seven sons. All seven took the first brother’s wife and all seven died before having any children. The question the Sadducees asked was in the resurrection of the dead, whose wife would she be, as all seven of the brothers were married to her.
20:34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” 39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him any question.
Jesus tells them that marriage is for people of this age (here on earth, before heaven) and that those that are worthy to get to heaven (only those that accept Jesus as their Savior are worthy) and have been resurrected from the dead, will neither marry nor be given in marriage.[7] Jesus explains that these saved human beings will be just like the angels who don’t die, death is no longer possible for them, as they are sons of God and Sons of the resurrection (see Considerations below).
Jesus then confirms that there will indeed be a resurrection of the dead, saying, “that the dead are raised.” Then using the passage that describes Moses’ first encounter with God at the burning bush, Jesus notes that Moses ‘showed’ (Greek ‘emēnysen’,[8] to disclose something not previously known) that God called Himself the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (see Exodus 3:6, 15, 16), revealing that He is God of the living, not God of the dead. All are alive to Him.
Possibly completely dumbfounded by Jesus’ response, as He eviscerated their beliefs, the Sadducees did not respond. The scribes, as most were aligned with Pharisaic beliefs, agreed with Jesus about the resurrection and told Him than He had spoken well. This insight on heaven would have been new to those listening, but still they did not know who Jesus was as they continued to call Him, ‘teacher’ (Greek ‘didaskale’,[9] an instructor). The answer nonetheless made it clear that the ‘depth’ of Jesus’ knowledge of Scripture was exceptional, perhaps intimidating, as no one dared (Greek ‘etolmōn’,[10] to have courage) to ask Him any more questions.
Considerations
How are death and marriage related?
In order to ‘populate’ the earth, the process of reproduction is necessary. God commanded Adam and Eve to populate the world (see Genesis 1:28, we also read that the same edict was given to Noah’s family after the flood, see Genesis 9:1, 7). However, death created a problem, it takes away people and so they must also be ‘replaced’ by the next generation through new births. Since God’s ordained process for reproduction is through the union of marriage, Jesus is saying that births are no longer necessary to replace the people who are dying. The total number of heaven’s occupants has been obtained and that number will not change as no one can die. Therefore, there is no need for people to marry in heaven.
Whose Son Is the Christ?
[Text parallels Mathew 22:41-46 and Mark 12:35-37]
20:41 But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 43 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ 44 David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
After answering the Sadducees’ question, Jesus presented an interesting conundrum to those around Him (undoubtedly still there were all of the key religious leaders, including the chief priests and representatives of the scribes, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees). He asks, “Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David? For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” (NLT) Since Scripture teaches that an older (or superior) person typically blesses a younger (or inferior) person and not the other way around, the question presented is how then can David (the older) call his son 'Lord', a word (or title) that recognizes superiority?
Using the framework of Psalm 110:1, Jesus concludes that the Messiah is greater than David. Matthew notes that this question was directed to the Pharisees after Jesus answering one of their questions. However, none of the gospel accounts record any answer to this conundrum. Matthew concludes with, “No one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.”[11]
Beware of the Scribes
[Text parallels Matthew 23:1-36 and Mark 12:38-40]
20:45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Jesus, in the hearing of all the people around Him, warns His disciples regarding the scribes. As they love to be seen walking around in long robes, being greeted in the marketplace, sitting in the best seats in synagogues, sitting in places of honor at feasts, take advantage of widows, and for a pretense (Greek ‘prophasei’,[12] outward show or appearance, a pretext put forth in order to cover one’s real intent) offer long prayers (the opposite of what Jesus taught, see Matthew 6:5-6). Jesus exposes how those who state they represent God were wrong.[13] He informs them that they will receive greater condemnation.
Although not described or defined any further, those that mislead others from God’s truth will receive a greater condemnation (possibly a greater punishment?). Greater than what? Those that do not accept Jesus as their Savior will be condemned, those that lead others astray will also be condemned but will receive a greater condemnation. As previously mentioned, false teaching is a serious problem[14], especially when a lie is taught and embraced for several generations, making it difficult to counter with the truth.[15]
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[1] Strong’s Greek 191.
[2] See also Considerations under Matthew 20:1-16 "Here First" and under Matthew 21:45-46 regarding “The Nation of Israel as God’s Vineyard.”
[3] See also commentary under Matthew 27:24-26.
[4] See commentary under Matthew 22:17-22 for examination of this question.
[5] Strong’s Greek 591.
[6] Strong’s Greek 2296.
[7] See commentary under Matthew 22:29-33.
[8] Strong’s Greek 3377.
[9] Strong’s Greek 1320.
[10] Strong’s Greek 5111.
[11] See also commentaries under Matthew 22:41-46 and Mark 12:35-37.
[12] Strong’s Greek 4392.
[13] See the various commentary listings and Considerations for Matthew 23:1-36.
[14] See commentaries under Matthew 7:15-20; 13:33; 24:4-5; 24:11; Mark 13:4-6; and the Considerations under Matthew 7:15-20 "Follow God's Word" and "Bearing Fruit."
[15] See Considerations under Matthew 16:20 regarding "Vectors and Polarizations."