Luke Chapter 20

Updated: September 14, 2025

Jesus' Authority Challenged

(Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33)

1And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. 8And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12)

9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

17And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

(Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17)

19And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20And 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. 21And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Sadducees Question the Resurrection

(Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27)

27Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32Last of all the woman died also. 33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

34And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 39Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

Whose Son is the Christ?

(Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37)

41And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

Beware of the Scribes

(Mark 12:38-40)

45Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Jesus’ Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33)

1 It happened on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, that the priests and scribes came to him with the elders. 2 They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me: 4 the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?” 5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 They answered that they didn’t know where it was from. 8 Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
(Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12)

9 He began to tell the people this parable. “A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time. 10 At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 He sent yet a third, and they also wounded him, and threw him out. 13 The lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.’ 14 “But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 They threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!”

17 But he looked at them, and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?’

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17)

19 The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them. 20 They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. 21 They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test me?

24 Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer, and were silent.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)

27 Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection. 28 They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless. 30 The second took her as wife, and he died childless. 31 The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”

34 Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 36 For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.” 39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.” 40 They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37)

41 He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?

42 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 the footstool of your feet.”’ 44 “David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”

Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38–40)

45 In the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,

46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts; 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”

Jesus’ Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33)

1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts a and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. 2 “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

3 “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”

5 They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.

8 And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
(Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12)

9 Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.

11 So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.

12 Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out.

13 ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’

14 But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So 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 kill those tenants, and will give the vineyard to others.”

And when the people heard this, they said, “May such a thing never happen!”

17 But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

‘The stone the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone’ b?

18 Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17)

19 When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.

20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. 21 “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show Me a denarius. c Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they answered.

25 So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

26 And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people; and amazed at His answer, they fell silent.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)

27 Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. d 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife, but died childless. 30 Then the second e 31 and the third married the widow, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. 32 And last of all, the woman died. 33 So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven were married to her.”

34 Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.

37 Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ f 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”

39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!” 40 And they did not dare to question Him any further.

Whose Son Is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37)

41 Then Jesus declared, “How can it be said that the Christ is the Son of David? 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

a footstool for Your feet.” ’ g

44 Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?”

Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38–40)

45 In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They defraud widows of their houses, h and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

Jesus' Authority Challenged

(Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33)

1And it came to pass, on one of those days, as he is teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came upon him, 2and spake unto him, saying, 'Tell us by what authority thou dost these things? or who is he that gave to thee this authority?' 3And he answering said unto them, 'I will question you -- I also -- one thing, and tell me: 4the baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?' 5And they reasoned with themselves, saying -- 'If we may say, From heaven, he will say, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him? 6and if we may say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet.' 7And they answered, that they knew not whence it was, 8and Jesus said to them, 'Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.'

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12)

9And he began to speak unto the people this simile: 'A certain man planted a vineyard, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time, 10and at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that from the fruit of the vineyard they may give to him, but the husbandmen having beat him, did send him away empty. 11'And he added to send another servant, and they that one also having beaten and dishonoured, did send away empty; 12and he added to send a third, and this one also, having wounded, they did cast out. 13'And the owner of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my son -- the beloved, perhaps having seen this one, they will do reverence; 14and having seen him, the husbandmen reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir; come, we may kill him, that the inheritance may become ours; 15and having cast him outside of the vineyard, they killed him; what, then, shall the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come, and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others.' And having heard, they said, 'Let it not be!'

17and he, having looked upon them, said, 'What, then, is this that hath been written: A stone that the builders rejected -- this became head of a corner?

18every one who hath fallen on that stone shall be broken, and on whom it may fall, it will crush him to pieces.'

Paying Taxes to Caesar

(Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17)

19And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him in that hour, and they feared the people, for they knew that against them he spake this simile. 20And, having watched him, they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor, 21and they questioned him, saying, 'Teacher, we have known that thou dost say and teach rightly, and dost not accept a person, but in truth the way of God dost teach; 22Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?' 23And he, having perceived their craftiness, said unto them, 'Why me do ye tempt? 24shew me a denary; of whom hath it an image and superscription?' and they answering said, 'Of Caesar:' 25and he said to them, 'Give back, therefore, the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;' 26and they were not able to take hold on his saying before the people, and having wondered at his answer, they were silent.

Sadducees Question the Resurrection

(Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27)

27And certain of the Sadducees, who are denying that there is a rising again, having come near, questioned him, 28saying, 'Teacher, Moses wrote to us, If any one's brother may die, having a wife, and he may die childless -- that his brother may take the wife, and may raise up seed to his brother. 29'There were, then, seven brothers, and the first having taken a wife, died childless, 30and the second took the wife, and he died childless, 31and the third took her, and in like manner also the seven -- they left not children, and they died; 32and last of all died also the woman: 33in the rising again, then, of which of them doth she become wife? -- for the seven had her as wife.'

34And Jesus answering said to them, 'The sons of this age do marry and are given in marriage, 35but those accounted worthy to obtain that age, and the rising again that is out of the dead, neither marry, nor are they given in marriage; 36for neither are they able to die any more -- for they are like messengers -- and they are sons of God, being sons of the rising again. 37'And that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the Bush, since he doth call the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; 38and He is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him.' 39And certain of the scribes answering said, 'Teacher, thou didst say well;' 40and no more durst they question him anything.

Whose Son is the Christ?

(Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37)

41And he said unto them, 'How do they say the Christ to be son of David,

42and David himself saith in the Book of Psalms, The Lord said to my lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43till I shall make thine enemies thy footstool; 44David, then, doth call him lord, and how is he his son?'

Beware of the Scribes

(Mark 12:38-40)

45And, all the people hearing, he said to his disciples, 46'Take heed of the scribes, who are wishing to walk in long robes, and are loving salutations in the markets, and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in the suppers, 47who devour the houses of the widows, and for a pretence make long prayers, these shall receive more abundant judgment.'

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

¹ On one of these days, as Jesus taught the Good News in the temple courts, the chief priests, religious experts, and community elders interrupted Him with an air of authority they were desperate to maintain. ² They confronted Him openly, their voices tight with barely contained hostility: "Tell us exactly what authority You claim for Your actions. Who gave You permission to teach here and challenge our traditions? We're the official religious authorities! Who do You think You are?"

³ Jesus replied, "I'll answer your question with one of My own. Consider it carefully. ⁴ "When John was baptizing people in the Jordan River, calling them to turn their lives around—was his authority merely human or heavenly?"

⁵ The leaders huddled together, knowing they were trapped, and were whispering urgently, "If we say John's authority came from Heaven, He'll demand to know why we rejected his message. ⁶ But if we dismiss John as just another preacher, these people who revere him as God's prophet will turn against us violently. They might even stone us!" ⁷ So they chose evasion, responding, "We don't know where it came from." ⁸ Jesus replied, "Then neither will I tell you by what authority I do what I do."

Parable of the Evil Tenants

⁹ Then Jesus turned to the people, sharing this story: "Picture a landowner who planted a vineyard, carefully developing it into a thriving enterprise. He leased it to tenant farmers and traveled abroad for an extended time. ¹⁰ When harvest season arrived, he sent a servant to collect his share of the crop. But the tenants, who had come to see themselves as owners rather than stewards, brutally attacked the servant and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ The owner sent another servant, but they treated him even worse—beating him, humiliating him, and sending him back with nothing. ¹² The owner tried a third time, but they wounded this servant severely and threw him out like garbage.

¹³ The vineyard owner thought deeply: 'What shall I do? I know, I will send My beloved Son. Surely they will respect Him and honor our agreement.' ¹⁴ But when the tenants saw the son approaching, they plotted among themselves: 'This is the heir to the vineyard. If we kill him, we can claim his inheritance for ourselves!' ¹⁵ So they dragged him outside the vineyard and killed him.

Jesus then asked His listeners: "What do you think the owner will do to these wicked tenants? ¹⁶ The answer is clear: He will come personally, destroy those tenants, and entrust His vineyard to others who will honor their responsibilities." The people, understanding the story's implications, responded with horror: "God forbid such tragedy!" ¹⁷ Jesus looked at them intently, quoting a Scripture they knew well: "Why then is it written:

'The stone the builders rejected,
Has become the cornerstone'?

Consider what this means. ¹⁸ Everyone who stumbles over this stone will be broken, and anyone it falls upon will be crushed to powder." ¹⁹ Now the religious experts and chief priests realized He had exposed them through this story. They wanted to arrest Him immediately, but feared the people's reaction. They themselves were the wicked tenants in His parable.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

²⁰ So they changed tactics, watching Him closely and sending spies pretending to be sincere truth-seekers. Their real goal was to trap Jesus in His words and hand Him over to the Roman governor's power and authority. ²¹ These spies approached with false flattery: "Teacher, we know You speak and teach what is right, showing no favoritism but truthfully teaching God's way. ²² So tell us: Should we pay taxes to Caesar or not?" They thought they had crafted the perfect trap.

²³ But Jesus saw right through their deceptive intent, saying, ²⁴ "Show Me a denarius coin. Whose image and inscription does it bear?" They answered, "Caesar's." ²⁵ He responded, "Then give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give God what belongs to God." The deeper truth was clear, while Caesar's image was on coins, God's image was on their very being. ²⁶ Unable to trap Him publicly, they were amazed by His answer and fell silent. His wisdom left them speechless before the crowds.

The Resurrection and Marriage

²⁷ Then some Sadducees approached, religious leaders who denied the resurrection of the dead. They came with their own 'clever' trap. ²⁸ "Teacher," they began, "Moses wrote that if a married man dies childless, his brother should marry the widow and have children to preserve the family line. ²⁹ Now consider this scenario: There were seven brothers. The first married and died childless. ³⁰ The second brother married the widow, ³¹ then the third, and so on through all seven brothers. Each died without children. ³² Finally, the woman also died. ³³ So here's our question: In the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All seven were married to her!"

³⁴ Jesus revealed their limited understanding: "Marriage as you know it belongs to this age, where people marry and are given in marriage. ³⁵ But those considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will not marry or be given in marriage. ³⁶ They cannot die anymore, because they will be like the angels. As God's resurrection children, they are children of everlasting life.

³⁷ Even Moses showed that the dead rise, in the passage about the burning bush. He calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' ³⁸ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive." ³⁹ At that, some religious experts had to acknowledge: "Teacher, You have spoken well!" ⁴⁰ After these exchanges, no one dared ask Him any more questions. His wisdom was clearly beyond them.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

⁴¹ Then Jesus posed His own question: "Why do people say the Messiah is merely David's son? ⁴² David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

'יהוה (Yahweh) said to my Lord:
"Sit at My right hand,
⁴³ Until I make Your enemies,
A footstool for Your feet."'

⁴⁴ David calls Him 'Lord.' How then can He be merely David's son?" ⁴⁵ While all the people listened, Jesus warned His disciples: ⁴⁶ "Beware of these religious experts who love to parade around in flowing robes, demanding respectful greetings in the marketplaces. They claim the most important seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁷ Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their homes and properties, while making a show of long prayers. Their punishment will be severe indeed."

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The F.O.G Commentary

When Religious Leaders Walked Into Their Own Trap

What’s Luke 20 about?

This is the chapter where Jesus masterfully turns every challenge from religious leaders back on them, revealing their hearts while protecting his mission. It’s a verbal chess match where Jesus moves three steps ahead every time, culminating in a warning about religious showmanship that still stings today.

The Full Context

Luke 20 takes place during Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem, right after his triumphal entry and cleansing of the temple. The religious establishment is now in full panic mode – this Galilean teacher has just publicly challenged their authority in their own sacred space, and the crowds are hanging on his every word. The chief priests, scribes, and elders aren’t just threatened; they’re looking for any excuse to eliminate him while maintaining their reputation with the people.

The chapter unfolds as a series of increasingly desperate attempts to trap Jesus in his words. Each group – the religious authorities, the Herodians and Pharisees, and finally the Sadducees – brings what they think is an unanswerable question. But Luke structures this narrative to show us something profound: Jesus doesn’t just answer their questions, he exposes the heart issues behind them. This isn’t just clever rhetoric; it’s the wisdom of God revealing the poverty of human religious systems that prioritize power over truth.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The opening confrontation begins with a loaded question about exousia – authority. When the religious leaders ask “by what authority do you do these things?” they’re not seeking information. The Greek word exousia carries the weight of official power, the kind that comes with credentials and institutional backing. They’re essentially saying, “Show us your papers.”

Jesus’ response is brilliant. He doesn’t claim authority – he demonstrates it by turning their question back on them. “I’ll ask you one thing,” he says, using the same word exousia for John the Baptist’s authority. This isn’t evasion; it’s exposure. If they can’t answer about John – whose ministry they witnessed and whose message prepared the way – how can they possibly recognize divine authority when it stands before them?

Grammar Geeks

The Greek construction Jesus uses here – “I will also ask you” – employs ka ego, which creates a formal reciprocal challenge. It’s the ancient equivalent of “I’ll see your question and raise you one,” but with the weight of divine wisdom behind it.

The parable of the wicked tenants that follows isn’t just a story – it’s a prophetic indictment wrapped in familiar imagery. Every first-century Jew would recognize the vineyard as Israel (see Isaiah 5:1-7). The georgoi (tenant farmers) represent the religious leaders who were supposed to care for God’s people but instead treated the vineyard as their own property.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

The F.O.G Bible Project

This page has a unique origin story and vision. Find out why your visit today is about more than words.

What is the F.O.G?

Picture this scene: Jesus is teaching in the temple courts, surrounded by Passover crowds from across the Roman world. When he tells the parable of the vineyard, everyone knows exactly what he’s talking about. Tenant farming was brutal in first-century Palestine – absentee landlords, crushing debt, and the constant threat of eviction created a powder keg of social tension.

But Jesus takes this familiar scenario and makes it personal. When the tenants beat the servants and kill the son, thinking “the inheritance will be ours,” the crowd would have gasped. This isn’t just about economic exploitation – it’s about the religious leaders’ treatment of God’s messengers throughout Israel’s history.

The stone imagery that concludes the parable (Luke 20:17-18) draws from Psalm 118:22, a passage every Jew knew by heart. But Jesus adds a chilling twist: this stone doesn’t just become the cornerstone – it crushes those who oppose it. The religious leaders understood perfectly. Luke tells us they wanted to arrest him “at that very hour.”

Did You Know?

Archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem have revealed numerous first-century stone blocks weighing several tons, often used as cornerstones in major buildings. When Jesus spoke of being crushed by a falling stone, his audience would have immediately pictured these massive foundational blocks – an image of inescapable, final judgment.

Wrestling with the Text

The question about paying taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:20-26) seems like the perfect trap. Answer “yes” and you’re a collaborator with Rome. Answer “no” and you’re a revolutionary who can be reported to the authorities. It’s a lose-lose situation – or so they think.

But Jesus’ response reveals something profound about living in tension between earthly and heavenly kingdoms. When he asks for a denarius and points to Caesar’s image, he’s making a point that goes far deeper than tax policy. The coin bears Caesar’s eikon (image), so it belongs to Caesar. But humans bear God’s image (Genesis 1:27), so they belong to God.

This isn’t compartmentalization – “religious stuff here, political stuff there.” It’s a radical reordering of priorities. Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but never forget what belongs to God. Everything that bears God’s image – including your very life – has a higher allegiance.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Why would Jesus need to ask whose image is on the coin? He surely knew. The question forces his challengers to speak Caesar’s name and acknowledge Roman authority themselves, making them complicit in the very system they’re trying to trap him with.

The Sadducees’ question about resurrection (Luke 20:27-40) represents their attempt to use Scripture to disprove what they don’t believe. Their elaborate scenario about seven brothers marrying the same woman draws from Deuteronomy’s levirate marriage laws, creating what they think is an impossible situation in the afterlife.

Jesus’ response cuts to the heart of their misunderstanding. They’re thinking of resurrection life as simply an extension of earthly existence, but Jesus describes it as transformation. “Those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,” he explains in Luke 20:35.

How This Changes Everything

The final section (Luke 20:41-47) shows Jesus taking the offensive. Now he’s the one asking questions: “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son?” This isn’t a riddle – it’s a revelation. By quoting Psalm 110:1, Jesus is claiming that the Messiah is more than just David’s descendant – he’s David’s Lord.

The Greek word kyrios (Lord) here carries enormous weight. It’s the word used to translate God’s covenant name (YHWH) in the Septuagint. Jesus isn’t just claiming messianic authority – he’s claiming divine authority. No wonder the religious leaders stopped asking questions.

But Jesus doesn’t end with theological triumph. He ends with a stinging rebuke of religious showmanship (Luke 20:46-47). The scribes “like to walk around in long robes” and “love greetings in the marketplaces” – they’ve turned their calling into a costume party.

“The longest prayers and the shortest compassion often come from the same heart.”

The widow’s offering that follows in many manuscripts (though it properly belongs to Luke 21) provides the perfect contrast. While religious leaders devour widows’ houses, one widow gives everything she has. True devotion doesn’t announce itself with flowing robes and honored seats – it quietly empties itself in love.

Key Takeaway

When religious authority becomes about protecting position rather than serving people, it loses the very thing it claims to possess – God’s approval. Jesus shows us that true spiritual authority is demonstrated not in demanding recognition but in sacrificial service.

Luke Chapter 20

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God's Word is too vast for a single perspective. We all have a story, and as believers we all carry the Holy Spirit who is the Revealer. With this in mind - I would love to read your comments.