Luke20
King James Version · Public Domain
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.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 20.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The priests and scribes question Christ's authority. (1–8). The parable of the vineyard and husbandmen. (9–19). Of giving tribute. (20–26). Concerning the resurrection. (27–38). The scribes silenced. (39–47).
vv1-8
Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give account of his authority, to those who knew the baptism of John to be from heaven, yet would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge.
vv9-19
Christ spake this parable against those who resolved not to own his authority, though the evidence of it was so full. How many resemble the Jews who murdered the prophets and crucified Christ, in their enmity to God, and aversion to his service, desiring to live according to their lusts, without control! Let all who are favoured with God's word, look to it that they make proper use of their advantages. Awful will be the doom, both of those who reject the Son, and of those who profess to reverence Him, yet render not the fruits in due season. Though they could not but own that for such a sin, such a punishment was just, yet they could not bear to hear of it. It is the folly of sinners, that they persevere in sinful ways, though they dread the destruction at the end of those ways.
vv20-26
Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and will teach our duty to God, to our rulers, and to all men, so clearly, that opposers will have no evil to say of us.
Key Words
ἡμέρα (hēméra): day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διδάσκω (didáskō): to teach (in the same broad application)
λαός (laós): a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ἱερόν (hierón): a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐαγγελίζω (euangelízō): to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús): the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest
γραμματεύς (grammateús): scribe, town-clerk
Cross References
Luke 20Directly quoted by Jesus to identify Himself as the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Directly quoted to prove the resurrection of the dead from the books of Moses.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Directly quoted by Jesus to demonstrate that the Messiah is both David's son and Lord.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Underlies the imagery of the vineyard let out to wicked, unproductive husbandmen.
Supported by JFB
Matthew's parallel account of the parable of the wicked husbandmen.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mark's parallel account containing the affective detail of the well-beloved son.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains that God is not ashamed to be called their God, implying future resurrection.
Supported by JFB
Matthew's parallel where Jesus silences and questions the Pharisees about David's son.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Typological parallel of the brothers conspiring to kill the heir, saying, 'Come... let us slay him.'
Supported by JFB
Confirms the Son's status as the designated heir of all things.
Supported by JFB
The historical fulfillment where Jewish leaders reasoned together to put Jesus to death.
Supported by JFB
Jesus suffered outside the gate, matching the detail of being cast out of the vineyard.
Supported by JFB
Alludes to the stone that breaks kingdoms, grinding the disobedient to powder.
Supported by JFB
Parallel details of the Pharisees taking counsel on how to entangle Him in His talk.
Supported by JFB
Parallel condemnation of the scribes who devour widows' houses and make long prayers.
Supported by Matthew Henry