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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 20:7 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:7 describes a moment where the chief priests, scribes, and elders are questioned by Jesus Christ about the authority by which He does His works.

They had questioned Jesus to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him.

Jesus, knowing their intentions, asks them about the baptism of John (whether it was from heaven or from men).

Unable to answer without incriminating themselves or losing the people's support, they respond that they do not know the source of John's baptism.

This verse highlights the reluctance of Jewish leaders to acknowledge Jesus' divine authority and their own inability to take a firm stance, fearing the reaction of the populace who held John as a prophet.

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Historical Context

Luke 20:7 is part of the narrative that takes place during the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry, often called Passion Week.

This encounter occurs after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem but before His crucifixion, a time when tensions between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders were at their height.

The leaders were seeking ways to discredit Jesus without inciting the crowds, who generally were in favor of Jesus, viewing Him as a prophet or possibly the Messiah.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the leaders' indecision and unwillingness to acknowledge the divine origin of John's baptism can be seen as symbolic of their spiritual blindness and their refusal to accept Jesus as the Son of God.

Their concern for their own status and the opinion of the crowd over the truth exhibited hypocrisy and a lack of true spiritual leadership.

Practical Applications

This verse reminds believers of the importance of standing by the truth, even under pressure.

It serves as a warning against allowing fear of others to prevent making a stand for one's beliefs.

It also cautions against the danger of spiritual leadership that is more concerned with popularity or appearances than with honesty and integrity before God.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:25-27: The same story is recounted in Matthew, highlighting the chief priests’ and elders’ concern over public opinion.
Mark 11:30-33: Mark’s account of the incident also emphasizes the leaders' fear of the crowd.
John 5:31-40: Jesus challenges the religious leaders about their disbelief despite the witness of John the Baptist.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "they could not tell" is translated from "οὐκ ἠδύναντο" (ouk edynanto), which illustrates an inability or lack of power to state the truth.

This implies not just a lack of knowledge, but an unwillingness or incapacity to speak the truth because of their fears.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions and mythologies, religious leaders often acted as intermediaries between gods and people, with the expectation of honesty and integrity.

The behavior of the Jewish leaders in Luke 20:7 can be unfavorably compared to these expectations, showing that avoidance of truth for personal gain or safety is not a righteous act in any religious tradition.

Scientific Perspectives

The focus of Luke 20:7 is on human psychology and the conflicts of interest that can influence decision-making, a subject that has been extensively studied in modern psychological science.

The phenomenon where individuals avoid taking a stand due to fear of the consequences aligns with various theories of social psychology regarding conformity, peer pressure, and cognitive dissonance.

commentaries

Experts and biblical commentators have long noted the contrast between Jesus, who speaks and acts with authority, and the religious leaders who are debilitated by their own self-interest and fear of man.

Matthew Henry's Commentary, for example, points out the evasion by the leaders as a manifestation of their self-imposed ignorance and obstinacy.

The Expositor's Greek Testament notes the diplomatic but self-protective response of the Jewish authorities, suggesting their moral cowardice in the face of a clear question about John’s divine commission.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:7 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 20:7 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?