What Is Jesus’ Authority?
Luke 20, verse 1. Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him Luke 20, verse 2. and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?” Luke 20, verse 3. But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: Luke 20, verse 4. The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?” Luke 20, verse 5. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ Luke 20, verse 6. But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” Luke 20, verse 7. So they answered that they did not know where it was from. Luke 20, verse 8. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Wicked Vineyard Tenants
Luke 20, verse 9. Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. Luke 20, verse 10. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Luke 20, verse 11. Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. Luke 20, verse 12. And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out. Luke 20, verse 13. “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.’ Luke 20, verse 14. But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ Luke 20, verse 15. So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? Luke 20, verse 16. He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.” And when they heard it they said, “Certainly not!” Luke 20, verse 17. Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone’? Luke 20, verse 18. Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Luke 20, verse 19. And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.
Do We Pay Taxes to Caesar?
Luke 20, verse 20. So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. Luke 20, verse 21. Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Luke 20, verse 22. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Luke 20, verse 23. But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? Luke 20, verse 24. Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” Luke 20, verse 25. And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Luke 20, verse 26. But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.
The Mystery of Resurrection
Luke 20, verse 27. Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, Luke 20, verse 28. saying: “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Luke 20, verse 29. Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. Luke 20, verse 30. And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. Luke 20, verse 31. Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. Luke 20, verse 32. Last of all the woman died also. Luke 20, verse 33. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.” Luke 20, verse 34. Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. Luke 20, verse 35. But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; Luke 20, verse 36. nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Luke 20, verse 37. But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Luke 20, verse 38. For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” Luke 20, verse 39. Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” Luke 20, verse 40. But after that they dared not question Him anymore.
Son of David, Son of God
Luke 20, verse 41. And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? Luke 20, verse 42. Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Luke 20, verse 43. Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ Luke 20, verse 44. Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”
Beware of the Scribes
Luke 20, verse 45. Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, Luke 20, verse 46. “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, Luke 20, verse 47. who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”