Imagine walking into a bustling temple, where Jesus is surrounded by eager listeners. Just as he begins to share the Good News, a group of religious leaders confront him, setting the stage for a series of profound teachings and parables that challenge their authority and reveal deeper truths.
The Reading: Luke 20
World English Bible1 On 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.
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2 They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”
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3 He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:
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4 the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
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5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’
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6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
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7 They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.
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8 Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
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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.
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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.
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11 He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
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12 He sent yet a third, and they also wounded him, and threw him out.
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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.’
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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.’
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15 They threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them?
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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!”
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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?’
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18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
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23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test me?
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24 Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” They answered, “Caesar’s.”
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25 He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
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26 They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer, and were silent.
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27 Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection.
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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.
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29 There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.
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30 The second took her as wife, and he died childless.
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31 The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died.
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32 Afterward the woman also died.
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33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”
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34 Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage.
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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.
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36 For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
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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.’
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38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”
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39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.”
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40 They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.
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41 He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?
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42 David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
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43 until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’
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44 “David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
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45 In the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,
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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;
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47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Questioning Authority
In this chapter, the priests and scribes approach Jesus to challenge his authority. They demand to know who gave him the right to teach and perform miracles. Instead of giving them a straightforward answer, Jesus cleverly turns the tables by asking them about John the Baptist's baptism - was it from God or human origin? Their inability to answer exposes their fear of the people and their own hypocrisy.
The Parable of the Vineyard
Next, Jesus shares a parable about a vineyard owner who rents his land to farmers. When he sends servants to collect his share, the farmers mistreat them. Finally, he sends his son, thinking they will respect him. Instead, they kill him, hoping to claim the vineyard for themselves. This parable serves as a poignant metaphor for the rejection he faces, hinting at the fate of those who refuse to recognize God's messengers.
Taxes and Resurrection
As the chapter unfolds, the religious leaders continue their attempts to trap Jesus. They pose a question about paying taxes to Caesar, expecting to catch him in a controversial stance. Jesus masterfully replies, affirming the need to give to Caesar what belongs to him while emphasizing our obligation to God. This profound wisdom leaves them speechless.
The Sadducees then challenge Jesus about resurrection with a convoluted question about marriage after death. Jesus clarifies that in the resurrection, people will not marry but will be like angels, emphasizing that God is the God of the living.
The Identity of the Messiah
Finally, Jesus poses a question about the Messiah's identity, referring to King David's writings. He highlights the mystery of the Messiah being both David's son and Lord, prompting deeper reflection on who he truly is. He also warns the crowd about the scribes, who seek honor and exploit the vulnerable, foreshadowing their condemnation.
Why It Matters
Authority and Authenticity
This chapter teaches us about the importance of authentic faith. The questions posed to Jesus remind us that our motivations and beliefs should be examined. Just as Jesus didn't shy away from hard questions, we too should seek truth in our spiritual journeys.
Rejection and Acceptance
The parable of the vineyard illustrates the consequences of rejecting God's messengers. It invites us to reflect on how we respond to spiritual guidance in our lives. Are we open to learning and growing, or do we dismiss what challenges us?
Living for God
Jesus' teachings on taxes remind us to balance our responsibilities to earthly authorities with our higher calling to God. Finding this balance is crucial, especially in a world often driven by financial concerns.
Embracing the Resurrection
The discussion about resurrection points to the hope we have beyond this life. It encourages us to live with a perspective that values eternal life and deepens our relationship with God.
As you explore these themes, consider visiting a local church to engage with others on this journey of faith. You can find a church near you using the Sancta app, where community and learning await.
Coming Up Next: Luke 21
In the next part of our journey through the New Testament, we'll dive into Luke 21, where Jesus speaks about the future and the signs of the end times. Get ready to uncover more profound teachings as we continue to follow His footsteps.