# Overview In #Luke Chapter 20, the narrative unfolds with the religious leaders in #Jerusalem questioning the authority of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. As Jesus is teaching in the temple courts, the chief priests, scribes, and elders approach Him, demanding to know by what authority He performs His works. Jesus responds with a question about the baptism of #John, whether it was from heaven or from men, exposing their inability to answer without incriminating themselves or inciting the crowd. This interaction demonstrates Jesus' wisdom and authority, affirming His divine mission and the inadequacy of the religious leaders' understanding of God's purposes. The chapter continues with Jesus delivering the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, illustrating the rejection of God's messengers and foreshadowing His own impending death. The parable reveals the rejection of the #prophets and ultimately the Son, highlighting divine judgment upon those who reject God's appointed Savior. Subsequently, Jesus skillfully navigates a series of traps set by the #Pharisees and #Sadducees, addressing questions about paying taxes to #Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. Through these encounters, Jesus affirms His teaching about the kingdom of #God and the resurrection, demonstrating His authority over both earthly and spiritual matters. The chapter concludes with Jesus warning the people about the hypocrisy of the scribes, urging His followers to be discerning and faithful. ## Theological Insights In Luke 20, we observe several significant theological themes that are pivotal to understanding the mission and identity of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] as well as the nature of the #KingdomOfGod. 1. **Authority of Jesus**: The chapter begins with the chief priests and scribes questioning the authority of Jesus (Luke 20:1-8). This confrontation highlights the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders. Jesus' response, referencing the baptism of #JohnTheBaptist, underscores His divine authority and aligns His ministry with God's purpose. This incident reflects the broader theme of Jesus' authority over religious tradition and human institutions, a theme seen throughout the Gospel of [[Mark/Mark Chapter 1]] and [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21]]. 2. **Parable of the Wicked Tenants**: In this parable (Luke 20:9-18), Jesus employs a vineyard metaphor to communicate the rejection of God's prophets and ultimately His Son. The vineyard often represents #Israel, as seen in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 5]]. The parable prophetically describes the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders and foretells the coming judgment upon them. The reference to the "cornerstone" (v. 17) links to Psalm 118:22-23, emphasizing Jesus as the foundational stone of God's redemptive plan—a theme echoed in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 4]]. 3. **Rendering to Caesar**: The question about paying taxes to #Caesar (Luke 20:20-26) addresses the relationship between the followers of Jesus and secular authority. Jesus' answer, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's," establishes a dual responsibility. It affirms the legitimacy of earthly governance while also asserting the ultimate sovereignty of God. This teaching reflects the Christian's call to navigate civic duties without compromising devotion to God, a principle further discussed in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 13]]. 4. **Resurrection and Eternal Life**: The Sadducees' question about the resurrection (Luke 20:27-40) provides Jesus an opportunity to affirm the reality of the resurrection, a core tenet of Christian theology. Jesus clarifies that life after resurrection transcends earthly relationships and is characterized by union with God, a theme explored in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 15]]. By citing Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:6), Jesus demonstrates that the resurrection is rooted in the very nature of God as the God of the living. 5. **Messiah as Lord**: Jesus challenges the prevailing understanding of the #Messiah by quoting Psalm 110:1 (Luke 20:41-44), suggesting that the Messiah is more than just a descendant of #David; He is David's Lord. This indicates Jesus' divine nature and His place within the #Trinity, a crucial revelation that sets the groundwork for the early church's Christology, as evidenced in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2]]. 6. **Warning Against the Scribes**: The chapter concludes with Jesus warning against the scribes (Luke 20:45-47). Their love for status and exploitation of the vulnerable contrasts with the humility and servanthood that Jesus embodies and calls His followers to emulate. This critique of religious hypocrisy is a recurring theme, also seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 23]]. Overall, Luke 20 intricately weaves together themes of authority, judgment, resurrection, and the nature of the #Messiah, offering profound insights into Jesus' identity and mission. It challenges believers to align their lives with the values of God's Kingdom, characterized by justice, humility, and eternal hope. ## Thematic Connections ### Authority and Rejection of Jesus In Luke 20, the theme of #authority is prominently displayed as [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] faces challenges from religious leaders questioning His authority. This theme connects to earlier instances where Jesus' authority is affirmed by His teachings and miracles, as seen in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 4|Luke 4:32-36]], where people are amazed at His authoritative teaching. The religious leaders' rejection of Jesus echoes the rejection faced by prophets like [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 8|Samuel]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 11|Jeremiah]], who were also challenged by their own people. This rejection theme fulfills prophecies such as those found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53]], which foretell the Messiah being despised and rejected. ### Jesus as the Cornerstone The parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9-18) underscores the theme of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] as the cornerstone, a critical element in God's redemptive plan. This imagery connects with the prophetic symbolism found in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 118|Psalm 118:22]], where the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone, and is further echoed in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 4|Acts 4:11]] and [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 2|1 Peter 2:7]], where Jesus is affirmed as the cornerstone of faith and salvation. ### Resurrection and Eternal Life The question regarding the resurrection posed by the #Sadducees (Luke 20:27-40) highlights the theme of resurrection and eternal life. Jesus' response affirms the reality of the resurrection, connecting with the earlier teachings on eternal life in [[John/John Chapter 11|John 11:25-26]] and [[John/John Chapter 14|John 14:1-3]]. This theme also aligns with the hope of resurrection found in the #OldTestament, such as in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 12|Daniel 12:2]]. ### The Kingdom of God Throughout Luke 20, the theme of the #Kingdom of God is evident as Jesus teaches about the nature of God's kingdom and its values, contrasting them with the earthly kingdoms represented by the religious leaders. This theme is a continuation from earlier in the Gospel, where the Kingdom of God is proclaimed by Jesus in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 4|Luke 4:43]] and [[Luke/Luke Chapter 17|Luke 17:20-21]]. The parable of the wicked tenants also illustrates the transfer of God's kingdom to those who will bear its fruits, connecting with [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 21|Matthew 21:43]]. ### Hypocrisy and True Righteousness Jesus' interaction with the #Pharisees and #Sadducees highlights the theme of hypocrisy versus true righteousness. This theme is recurrent throughout the Gospels, where Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their outward appearance of piety while lacking true righteousness, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 23|Matthew 23]]. It calls believers to pursue genuine faith and righteousness, as exemplified by the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5|Matthew 5-7]]). ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Rejected Stone In Luke 20, Jesus references the prophecy of the rejected stone in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 118|Psalm 118:22-23]], saying, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This passage is fulfilled as Jesus, the #Messiah, is rejected by the religious leaders of #Israel, yet He becomes the cornerstone of God's kingdom. The rejection and subsequent exaltation of Jesus highlight the fulfillment of this prophecy, emphasizing His central role in God's redemptive plan. ### Daniel’s Vision of the Kingdom In the parable of the tenants, Jesus alludes to the fate of the son sent by the vineyard owner, symbolizing His own impending rejection and death. This narrative aligns with the prophecy found in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7|Daniel 7:13-14]], where the Son of Man is given dominion and glory. Despite His rejection, Jesus fulfills the vision of a kingdom that will never be destroyed, symbolizing His ultimate authority and eternal reign. ### The Resurrection Jesus addresses the Sadducees' question about the resurrection by pointing to Moses and the burning bush, referencing [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 3|Exodus 3:6]], where God declares Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This affirmation of the living God is prophetic of the resurrection, which Jesus fulfills as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, as later explained in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 15|1 Corinthians 15:20]]. His teaching underscores the continuity and fulfillment of God’s promises from the Law and the Prophets through His resurrection. ### The Lordship of Christ Jesus further fulfills prophecy by referencing the words of [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 110|Psalm 110:1]], "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand.'" This statement affirms His identity as the #Messiah and His position at the right hand of God. The use of this Psalm highlights Jesus’ divine authority and messianic role, fulfilling the expectation of a Messiah who is both David’s descendant and David’s Lord, as He questions the Pharisees’ understanding of the Messiah’s identity. ### The Warning Against Rejection Through the parable of the wicked tenants and the subsequent rejection of the cornerstone, Jesus fulfills the prophetic warnings issued throughout the Old Testament, such as those found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 5|Isaiah 5:1-7]], which speak of the consequences of rejecting God’s chosen one. Jesus’ parable serves as both a fulfillment of prophetic warning and a call to recognize Him as the cornerstone of faith, urging the leaders and people of Israel to reconsider their stance towards Him. ## Verses - **Luke 20:1** - "One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him." - **Luke 20:2** - "'By what authority are you doing all these things?' they demanded. 'Who gave you the right?'" - **Luke 20:3** - "'Let me ask you a question first,' he replied." - **Luke 20:4** - "'Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?'" - **Luke 20:5** - "They talked it over among themselves. 'If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John.'" - **Luke 20:6** - "'But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.'" - **Luke 20:7** - "So they finally replied that they didn’t know." - **Luke 20:8** - "And Jesus responded, 'Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.'" - **Luke 20:9** - "Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: 'A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years.'" - **Luke 20:10** - "'At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed.'" - **Luke 20:11** - "'So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed.'" - **Luke 20:12** - "'A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.'" - **Luke 20:13** - "'What will I do?' the owner asked himself. 'I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.'" - **Luke 20:14** - "'But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’" - **Luke 20:15** - "So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him. What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?'" - **Luke 20:16** - "'I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.' 'How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,' his listeners protested." - **Luke 20:17** - "Jesus looked at them and said, 'Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’" - **Luke 20:18** - "'Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.'" - **Luke 20:19** - "The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction." - **Luke 20:20** - "Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus." - **Luke 20:21** - "'Teacher,' they said, 'we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully.'" - **Luke 20:22** - "'Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'" - **Luke 20:23** - "He saw through their trickery and said," - **Luke 20:24** - "'Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?' 'Caesar’s,' they replied." - **Luke 20:25** - "'Well then,' he said, 'give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.'" - **Luke 20:26** - "So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent." - **Luke 20:27** - "Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead." - **Luke 20:28** - "They posed this question: 'Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.'" - **Luke 20:29** - "'Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children.'" - **Luke 20:30** - "'So the second brother married the widow, but he also died.'" - **Luke 20:31** - "'Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children.'" - **Luke 20:32** - "'Finally, the woman also died.'" - **Luke 20:33** - "'So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!'" - **Luke 20:34** - "Jesus replied, 'Marriage is for people here on earth.'" - **Luke 20:35** - "'But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.'" - **Luke 20:36** - "'And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.'" - **Luke 20:37** - "'But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’" - **Luke 20:38** - "'So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.'" - **Luke 20:39** - "'Well said, Teacher!' remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there." - **Luke 20:40** - "And then no one dared to ask him any more questions." - **Luke 20:41** - "Then Jesus presented them with a question. 'Why is it,' he asked, 'that the Messiah is said to be the son of David?'" - **Luke 20:42** - "'For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand" - **Luke 20:43** - "until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’" - **Luke 20:44** - "Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?'" - **Luke 20:45** - "Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said," - **Luke 20:46** - "'Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets.'" - **Luke 20:47** - "'Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.'"