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Luke 20

And 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,

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Then 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.

And 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.

And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

Then 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.

But 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.

So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

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?

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

And 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.

And 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.

And 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:

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

Saying, 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.

There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

Last of all the woman died also.

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Now 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.

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

Beware 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;

Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

What does Luke 20:38 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:38 is a verse that speaks to the nature of God and the state of existence beyond death.

Jesus is responding to the Sadducees, a sect that did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.

By suggesting that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, Jesus indicates that to God, all souls are alive, regardless of physical death.

The use of "for all live unto him" implies a broader definition of life that transcends earthly existence.

This expresses the idea that relationship with God is not bound by mortal life and that there's an eternal aspect to our existence.

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Historical Context

The verse is situated within a conversation between Jesus and the Sadducees, who questioned Him about the resurrection.

Sadducees were a Jewish sect that held to only the written Law of Moses and did not believe in an afterlife.

The argument they present to Jesus is meant to ridicule the concept of the resurrection.

Jesus refutes their challenge by citing the Torah (the five books of Moses), which the Sadducees held in high esteem.

He references the passage where God speaks to Moses from the burning bush and identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, suggesting that these patriarchs are alive to God even though they had died long before.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse reflects the belief in life after death and the eternal nature of God's relationship with humanity.

It implies that death is not the end of existence but a transition into a different form of life with God.

This view is not universally held; other religious or philosophical belief systems may interpret the continuance of life after death differently.

Some may believe in an immortal soul, reincarnation, or some type of conscious afterlife, while others may not believe in any form of existence following death.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this teaches individuals to view life with an eternal perspective.

It suggests that actions, beliefs, and relationships in this life have significance beyond one's physical lifespan. This can offer comfort to those who are grieving, as it assures them that their loved ones are not gone but are alive to God.

Additionally, it can encourage people to live morally and maintain a strong relationship with God, as their spiritual lives are seen as eternal.

Cross-References

Matthew 22:32: "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
Mark 12:27: "He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err."
Exodus 3:6: "Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

Language Study

The key words in this verse in the original Greek are:

"θεός" (Theos): This is the Greek word for "God," referring to the divine being or deity.
"νεκρῶν" (nekron): This word translates to "the dead," and in this context, it means those who have passed away physically.
"ζάω" (zao): This Greek word means "to live," emphasizing not just physical life but also existence or being.
"πάντες" (pantes): Meaning "all," this indicates the universality of the statement that follows.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, other cultures also had various concepts of gods in relation to the dead.

For example, the Egyptians believed in a pantheon of gods who were associated with the afterlife, like Osiris.

Similarly, Greeks had Hades, god of the underworld.

Jesus' statement in Luke 20:38 would have set apart the Judeo-Christian understanding of God and existence from these other cultural beliefs, as it asserts a living, omnipresent God active in the lives of those who have passed away.

Scientific Perspectives

Science typically does not deal with matters of the afterlife or interpret theological claims such as those in Luke 20:38, as they are outside the scope of empirical investigation.

The scientific perspective is largely concerned with physical, observable phenomena, while the concept of life after death pertains to metaphysical beliefs, which science neither confirms nor denies.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have various perspectives on this verse:

Some interpret it as Jesus affirming the resurrection and the continuing existence of the soul after physical death.
Others see it as Jesus using a logical argument based on the tense of the verb "I am" to refute the Sadducees and prove that there is a resurrection.
Many commentators emphasize the comfort this verse provides to believers, assuring them that God's relationship with them will continue beyond their physical life.

Overall, the consensus among Christian scholars is that this verse teaches that life with God is not interrupted by physical death, and it highlights the falsehood of denying the resurrection of the dead.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:38 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 20:38 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?