The Gospels · Chapter 20 of 24

Luke 20

In the temple, Jesus is challenged over his authority and answers with a question about John's baptism. He tells the parable of the wicked husbandmen who kill the vineyard owner's son, then turns aside traps about tribute to Caesar and the resurrection. He questions how Christ can be David's son and Lord, and warns the crowds against the proud, devouring scribes.

What happens in Luke 20

As Jesus teaches in the temple, the chief priests, scribes, and elders demand to know his authority. He counters by asking whether John's baptism was from heaven or men, and they refuse to answer, so he declines to tell them. He tells the parable of a vineyard let to husbandmen who beat the owner's servants and finally kill his beloved son, and he applies the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. Spies then try to trap him over paying tribute to Caesar; he answers to render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.

Sadducees pose a riddle about seven brothers and one wife to mock the resurrection; Jesus affirms the resurrection from Moses, saying God is God of the living. He then asks how Christ can be both David's son and David's Lord, and warns the people against the scribes who devour widows' houses.

Luke 20 in context

Luke 20 unfolds in the temple during Jesus' final week, a series of confrontations with Jerusalem's authorities who are seeking to destroy him. Each group, priests, Herodians, Sadducees, and scribes, tries to trap him in his words.

Jesus answers with unmatched wisdom, turning every test into revelation about authority, God's claim, the resurrection, and his own identity as the Christ who is greater than David.

Main themes of Luke 20

Luke 20 (KJV)

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. 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. 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. 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. 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? 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.

Verses to carry from Luke 20

“And 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?”Luke 20:17

“And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.”Luke 20:25

“For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.”Luke 20:38

Reflection

The same questions still test us: By whose authority? What do we owe God? Is there a resurrection? Jesus answers not to win debate but to reveal himself. Will you receive the stone the builders rejected as your cornerstone, and render to God the whole self that bears his image?

A prayer from Luke 20