Luke 20
The King They Tried to Silence
In Luke 20, the religious leaders challenge Jesus and try to trap Him with hard questions. His answers show His wisdom, reveal their false hearts, and point to His place as God’s Son and the promised King.
Walking Through Luke 20
A Question That Reveals the Heart (Luke 20:1-8)
1 Now one day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and the experts in the law with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us: By what authority are you doing these things? Or who is it who gave you this authority?” 3 He answered them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from people?” 5 So 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 people,’ all the people will stone us because they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they replied that they did not know where it came from. 8 Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by whose authority I do these things.”Luke 20:1-8 · NET Bible
As Jesus teaches and shares the good news, the chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders demand to know who gave Him His authority. These men held positions of power in Israel’s worship. Jesus answers with a question about whether John’s baptism came from God or from people. Their discussion reveals their problem. They are not weighing what is true; they are weighing what each answer will cost them. If John came from God, they should have believed him. If they reject John, they risk angering the crowd. They finally claim not to know, and Jesus refuses their demand. I notice how fear of losing power can make people unwilling to admit what they see.
The Son and the Vineyard (Luke 20:9-19)
9 Then he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey for a long time. 10 When harvest time came, he sent a slave to the tenants so that they would give him his portion of the crop. However, the tenants beat his slave and sent him away empty-handed. 11 So he sent another slave. They beat this one too, treated him outrageously, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 So he sent still a third. They even wounded this one and threw him out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my one dear son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir; let’s kill him so 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 destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “May this never happen!” 17 But Jesus looked straight at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘ The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone ’? 18 Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, and the one on whom it falls will be crushed.” 19 Then the experts in the law and the chief priests wanted to arrest him that very hour because they realized he had told this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.Luke 20:9-19 · NET Bible
Jesus tells of a man who rents his vineyard to farmers. When he sends servants to collect his share, the farmers beat them and send them away. Finally, he sends his beloved son, whom they kill to seize the inheritance. The vineyard recalls Israel’s place in God’s care, and the servants reflect His rejected messengers. The son points to Jesus. The leaders understand that this warning is aimed at them. God’s patience is great, but their care of His people will be taken away and given to others. Jesus then speaks of a rejected stone becoming the cornerstone, the key stone of a building. Their rejection will not cancel God’s purpose. Yet rejecting His Son brings real judgment, not safety.
What Belongs to God (Luke 20:20-26)
20 Then they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They wanted to take advantage of what he might say so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 Thus they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar or not?” 23 But Jesus perceived their deceit and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 So he said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 Thus they were unable in the presence of the people to trap him with his own words. And stunned by his answer, they fell silent.Luke 20:20-26 · NET Bible
The leaders send spies who pretend to be sincere. They ask whether paying taxes to Caesar is right. A rejection of the tax could give them grounds to accuse Jesus before the Roman governor. Support for it could turn people against Him, since many resented Roman rule. Jesus sees their trick and asks whose image and name appear on a coin. His answer recognizes a duty to earthly rulers while keeping our greater duty to God clear. Caesar may receive what belongs to him, but he cannot take God’s place. The spies cannot use this answer against Jesus. I see wisdom here that refuses a false choice: honoring a public duty does not require giving a ruler our worship.
Life Beyond the Grave (Luke 20:27-40)
27 Now some Sadducees (who contend that there is no resurrection) came to him. 28 They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, that man must marry the widow and father children for his brother . 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died without children. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in this same way all seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally the woman died too. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For all seven had married her.” 34 So Jesus said to them, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are regarded as worthy to share in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 In fact, they can no longer die because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, since they are sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses revealed that the dead are raised 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 before him.” 39 Then some of the experts in the law answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well!” 40 For they did not dare any longer to ask him anything.Luke 20:27-40 · NET Bible
The Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, bring a made-up case about seven brothers who each marry the same woman after the previous brother dies. Their case draws on a law meant to preserve a dead brother’s family line. They expect life after death to sound foolish. Jesus explains that resurrection life is not simply our present life extended. Those who share in it no longer marry or die. Being like angels means they no longer die, not that people become angels. Jesus then points to Moses and God’s bond with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Death does not end their life before Him. God’s faithful care reaches beyond the grave. Some teachers praise His answer, and His opponents stop asking questions.
More Than David’s Son (Luke 20:41-44)
41 But he said to them, “How is it that 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 a footstool for your feet .”’ 44 If David then calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”Luke 20:41-44 · NET Bible
Now Jesus asks a question. How can the Messiah, God’s promised King, be David’s son when David calls Him Lord in Psalm 110:1? Jesus is not denying that the Messiah comes from David’s family. He is showing that this title alone does not tell the whole story. The promised King is also greater than David. He holds a place of honor at God’s right hand while God brings His enemies under His rule. The leaders have questioned Jesus’ authority throughout this chapter. Here Jesus points toward its true greatness. He is far more than another teacher or a future earthly ruler.
When Religion Becomes a Cover (Luke 20:45-47)
45 As all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the experts in the law. They like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ property, and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”Luke 20:45-47 · NET Bible
With everyone listening, Jesus warns His disciples about teachers of the law who love fine robes, public greetings, and honored seats. Their desire to look important stands beside something far worse: they take advantage of widows and hide behind long prayers. Widows often had little money or protection, which made this abuse especially cruel. Jesus does not condemn prayer or learning. He condemns using them as a cover for greed. Such teachers will face a more severe judgment. I do not want us to miss His care for those being harmed. God sees past a polished image, and He does not overlook people whom powerful leaders treat as unimportant.
- Authority — the right to teach, lead, and act; Jesus’ authority comes from God.
- Resurrection — being raised from death into life that death cannot end.
Where might protecting your image be making it harder for you to receive the truth?
Father, thank You for the wisdom and patience You show through Jesus. Give us humble hearts that welcome Your truth. Help us honor Your Son and care for people who are easily overlooked.