Jesus employs rabbinic counter-questioning technique, linking his temple authority directly to John's baptismal authority—a strategic move that forces his opponents into theological checkmate.
Luke 20
The Question about Jesus' Authority
1On one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, the priests and scribes came to him with the elders.
2They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”
3He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:
4the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
5They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’
6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
7They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.
8Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
9He 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.
10At 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.
11He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12He sent yet a third, and they also wounded him and threw him out.
13The 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.’
15Then they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?
16He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard that, they said, “May that never be!”
17But he looked at them and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the chief cornerstone’?
18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust.”
19The 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.
The Question about Paying Taxes
20They 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.
21They 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.
22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
23But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test me?
24Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” They answered, “Caesar’s.”
25He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
26They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer and were silent.
The Question about the Resurrection
27Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection.
28They 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.
29There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.
30The second took her as wife, and he died childless.
31The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died.
32Afterward the woman also died.
33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”
34Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and are given in marriage.
35But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.
36For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
37But 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.’
38Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”
39Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.”
40They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.
The Question about David's Son
41He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?
42David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
43until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’
44“David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
Jesus Denounces the Scribes
45In the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,
46“Beware of those 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;
47who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
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Theme
In Luke 20, Jesus faces a series of confrontational questions from religious leaders attempting to trap him or undermine his authority. Through masterful responses involving counter-questions and parables, Jesus not only evades their traps but exposes their motives and teaches profound truths about divine authority, earthly obligations, and eternal realities. The chapter culminates with Jesus turning the tables by questioning them about the Messiah's identity, while warning against the scribes' hypocrisy and pride.
Context
This chapter follows Jesus' triumphal entry and temple cleansing, intensifying the conflict with religious authorities that will lead to his crucifixion in the following chapters.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-8 The Question about Jesus' Authority Religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority, but he counters by asking about John the Baptist's authority, exposing their fear of the people.
- 9-19 The Parable of the Wicked Tenants Jesus tells a parable about rebellious tenants who kill the owner's son, clearly depicting Israel's rejection of God's messengers and himself.
- 20-26 The Question about Paying Taxes Spies attempt to trap Jesus with a question about Roman taxes, but he wisely responds about giving to Caesar and God what belongs to each.
- 27-40 The Question about the Resurrection Sadducees challenge Jesus about resurrection with a hypothetical scenario, leading to his teaching about eternal life and the nature of resurrection.
- 41-44 The Question about David's Son Jesus poses his own question about how the Messiah can be both David's son and Lord, challenging their understanding.
- 45-47 Jesus Denounces the Scribes Jesus warns his disciples and the people about the scribes' pride, hypocrisy, and exploitation of widows.
The Question about Jesus' Authority
20:1–20:8 gospel dialogue contemplative
Religious leaders question Jesus' authority, but he responds with a counter-question about John the Baptist's authority. When they refuse to answer, Jesus likewise refuses to reveal the source of his authority.
person_contrast
Jesus employs rabbinic counter-questioning technique, linking his temple authority directly to John's baptismal authority—a strategic move that forces his opponents into theological checkmate.
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
20:9–20:19 gospel parable-telling warning
Jesus tells a parable about wicked tenants who kill the vineyard owner's son, representing Israel's rejection of God's messengers and ultimately his Son. The religious leaders recognize the parable is directed against them.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely positions himself as both the rejected cornerstone and the stone that crushes, merging victim and judge roles within a single parable.
The Question about Paying Taxes
20:20–20:26 gospel dialogue contemplative
Religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, but Jesus wisely responds that one should give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.
person_contrast
Jesus's brilliant "render unto Caesar" response transforms a political trap into theological teaching, demonstrating how divine wisdom can simultaneously honor earthly authority while preserving ultimate allegiance to God.
The Question about the Resurrection
20:27–20:40 gospel dialogue contemplative
Sadducees question Jesus about resurrection using a hypothetical scenario of seven brothers, and Jesus explains that in the resurrection people will be like angels and that God is the God of the living.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms the Sadducees' trap about levirate marriage into profound theology, declaring that resurrection life transcends earthly categories since the resurrected "neither marry nor are given in marriage.
The Question about David's Son
20:41–20:44 gospel speech contemplative
Jesus poses a question about how the Christ can be David's son when David himself calls him Lord in the Psalms.
person_contrast
Jesus transforms from defendant to interrogator, wielding Psalm 110:1 to expose the inadequacy of purely genealogical messianic categories through David's own words.
Jesus Denounces the Scribes
20:45–20:47 gospel exhortation warning
Jesus warns his disciples about the scribes who seek honor and recognition while exploiting widows, declaring they will receive greater condemnation.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely targets religious leaders' pride and exploitation in this passage, contrasting sharply with his typical focus on kingdom proclamation and divine authority.
Insights
Jesus uniquely positions himself as both the rejected cornerstone and the stone that crushes, merging victim and judge roles within a single parable.
Jesus's brilliant "render unto Caesar" response transforms a political trap into theological teaching, demonstrating how divine wisdom can simultaneously honor earthly authority while preserving ultimate allegiance to God.
Jesus transforms the Sadducees' trap about levirate marriage into profound theology, declaring that resurrection life transcends earthly categories since the resurrected "neither marry nor are given in marriage.
Jesus transforms from defendant to interrogator, wielding Psalm 110:1 to expose the inadequacy of purely genealogical messianic categories through David's own words.
Jesus uniquely targets religious leaders' pride and exploitation in this passage, contrasting sharply with his typical focus on kingdom proclamation and divine authority.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Luke 20:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 19:47 Lexical
He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men among the people sought to…
Acts 6:12 Lexical
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the…
Matthew 21:23 Lexical
When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and sai…
Acts 5:42 Lexical
Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
Mark 8:31 Lexical
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, an…
Luke 20:2 2 references
Luke 20:3 2 references
Luke 20:4 2 references
Luke 20:5 2 references
Luke 20:6 2 references
Luke 20:7 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 13:25 Lexical
When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the…
John 8:14 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am…
John 9:30 Lexical
The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
Luke 20:8 2 references
Luke 20:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:1 Lexical
He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, b…
Matthew 21:33 Lexical
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug…
Matthew 21:41 Lexical
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will…
Luke 13:6 Lexical
He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found…
1 Corinthians 9:7 Lexical
What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn’t eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock,…
Luke 20:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:2 Lexical
When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.
Matthew 21:34 Lexical
When the season for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the farmers to receive his fruit.
Matthew 21:41 Lexical
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will…
Mark 12:3 Lexical
They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.
Matthew 21:35 Lexical
The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Luke 20:11 2 references
Luke 20:13 1 reference
Luke 20:14 2 references
Luke 20:15 2 references
Luke 20:16 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 12:9 Lexical
What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to oth…
Matthew 21:41 Lexical
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will…
Matthew 21:33 Lexical
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug…
Luke 20:17 4 references
Lexicals 4
Mark 12:10 Lexical
Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.
Matthew 21:42 Lexical
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of t…
1 Peter 2:7 Lexical
For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected ha…
Acts 4:11 Lexical
He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
Luke 20:18 1 reference
Luke 20:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 22:2 Lexical
The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
John 7:30 Lexical
They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.
Mark 11:18 Lexical
The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the…
Mark 12:12 Lexical
They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They…
Luke 19:47 Lexical
He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men among the people sought to…
Luke 20:20 5 references
Parallels 2
Lexicals 3
Mark 13:9 Lexical
“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before…
Titus 3:1 Lexical
Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Luke 1:2 Lexical
even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
Luke 20:21 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 22:16 Lexical
They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the…
Mark 12:14 Lexical
When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t par…
Mark 10:17 Lexical
As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I…
James 3:1 Lexical
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
Luke 20:22 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 22:17 Lexical
Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Mark 12:14 Lexical
When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t par…
Luke 23:2 Lexical
They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and sayin…
Luke 20:24 2 references
Luke 20:27 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 22:23 Lexical
On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,
Matthew 16:1 Lexical
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
Mark 12:18 Lexical
Some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying,
Acts 23:8 Lexical
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
Luke 20:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:19 Lexical
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his bro…
Matthew 22:24 Lexical
saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offsprin…
Mark 12:20 Lexical
There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
Mark 12:22 Lexical
and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.
Mark 12:21 Lexical
The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;
Luke 20:29 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:20 Lexical
There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
Matthew 22:25 Lexical
Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
Mark 12:19 Lexical
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his bro…
Mark 12:22 Lexical
and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.
Matthew 22:24 Lexical
saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offsprin…
Luke 20:31 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 12:21 Lexical
The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;
Mark 12:19 Lexical
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his bro…
Mark 12:20 Lexical
There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
Luke 20:32 1 reference
Luke 20:33 2 references
Luke 20:35 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 22:30 Lexical
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
Hebrews 11:35 Lexical
Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain…
Mark 12:25 Lexical
For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Luke 20:37 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:26 Lexical
But about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, sa…
Acts 7:32 Lexical
‘I am the God of your fathers: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled and dared not…
Matthew 22:32 Lexical
‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living…
Luke 13:28 Lexical
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, a…
Matthew 1:2 Lexical
Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
Luke 20:39 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 12:32 Lexical
The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he;
Mark 12:28 Lexical
One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Whi…
Matthew 12:38 Lexical
Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
Luke 20:40 2 references
Luke 20:41 2 references
Luke 20:42 2 references
Luke 20:43 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 2:35 Lexical
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
Hebrews 1:13 Lexical
But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your…
Hebrews 10:13 Lexical
from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.
Matthew 22:44 Lexical
‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?
Mark 12:36 Lexical
For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies t…
Luke 20:44 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 22:45 Lexical
“If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
Matthew 22:43 Lexical
He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,
Mark 12:35 Lexical
Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
Luke 1:32 Lexical
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
Luke 20:46 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:38 Lexical
In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the mar…
Matthew 23:6 Lexical
and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
Mark 12:39 Lexical
and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,
Luke 11:43 Lexical
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Matthew 23:7 Lexical
the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
Luke 20:47 1 reference
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