What is happening in this passage when Jesus is teaching in the temple?

This passage takes place in the days before Jesus’ death, while He is teaching in the temple. The chief priests, scribes, elders, and later the Sadducees keep challenging Him. They question His authority, try to trap Him with political and religious questions, and secretly send spies to catch Him in His words. In response, Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard that pictures their long refusal of God’s messengers, answers their trick questions, and then publicly exposes their pride and greed. It shows rising conflict and their growing desire to get rid of Him.

What is the meaning of the parable of the vineyard and the wicked husbandmen?

In the parable, a man plants a vineyard and rents it out to tenants, then goes away. When he sends servants to collect fruit, they beat and shame them. Finally he sends his beloved son, but the tenants kill him, hoping to keep the inheritance. The vineyard pictures God’s people, the tenants are their leaders, the servants are the prophets, and the beloved son points to Jesus. The parable shows how God’s messengers have been rejected, how the Son will also be killed, and that God will judge the unfaithful leaders and give His work to others who will bear fruit.

What does it mean that the stone the builders rejected became the head of the corner?

Jesus quotes a verse about a stone that builders threw aside which later became the main corner stone. He applies this to Himself. The “builders” are the religious leaders who are supposed to build and guide God’s people. By rejecting Jesus, they are rejecting the very one God has chosen as the foundation. Yet God will still make Him the head of the corner, the key stone in God’s plan. The warning that falling on this stone breaks a person, and the stone falling grinds to powder, shows that rejecting Jesus leads to serious judgment.

What does render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s mean?

The leaders send spies to trap Jesus with a question about paying tax to Caesar. If He says yes, they hope to turn the people against Him; if He says no, they can accuse Him before the governor. Jesus asks whose image is on the coin. When they answer “Caesar’s,” He says to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and God what belongs to God. He shows that there is a proper place for human government, but that our highest loyalty is to God, whose image is on us. We must not let duty to the state replace obedience to God.

How does Jesus answer the Sadducees’ question about the resurrection and marriage?

The Sadducees, who deny any resurrection, pose a story about a woman who married seven brothers, asking whose wife she will be after the dead are raised. Jesus explains that this age and the age to come are different. People in this world marry, but those counted worthy of the resurrection do not marry or die anymore. They are like the angels and are God’s children, as children of the resurrection. Then He proves the dead will rise by reminding them that God calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

What does it mean that God is not the God of the dead but of the living?

When Jesus says God is not the God of the dead but of the living, He is showing that those who belong to God are still alive to Him even after death. He points to God calling Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob long after they had died. For God to be their God means they still live before Him and His promises to them still stand. This supports both the ongoing life of believers after death and the future resurrection. Our eyes see death, but God keeps His people alive with Him, looking toward the day when bodies are raised.

Why do the chief priests and scribes react strongly to Jesus’ parable and teaching?

The chief priests and scribes realize that the parable of the vineyard is about them. They see that Jesus is saying they have rejected God’s messengers and are about to reject and kill the Son. Instead of repenting, they are angry and want to arrest Him. Yet they fear the people, who see John as a prophet and are impressed by Jesus’ teaching. Their fear of losing power and their desire to keep control drive them to plot in secret, use flattery, send spies, and look for any excuse to hand Him over to the governor.

What does this passage teach about Jesus’ authority and identity?

From start to finish, this passage shows that Jesus has authority from heaven, not from people. When asked about His authority, He points them back to John’s baptism, which was also from God. In the parable, He presents Himself as the beloved Son and heir. By quoting about the rejected stone becoming the head of the corner, He shows that He is God’s chosen foundation. When He asks how the Christ can be both David’s son and David’s Lord, He hints at His human descent and His divine lordship. His wise answers silence His opponents and reveal who He really is.

Why does Jesus warn the people to beware of the scribes who love long robes and chief seats?

At the end, Jesus turns to the crowd and His disciples and warns them about the scribes. He points out how they love to walk in long robes, enjoy respectful greetings, seek the best seats in synagogues, and the places of honor at feasts. Outwardly they look very religious, even making long prayers, but He says they “devour widows’ houses,” taking advantage of the weak. Their religion is a show that hides greed and pride. Jesus says they will receive greater judgment. It is a warning not to follow leaders who use faith to gain power and wealth.

How can a believer today apply the lessons from this chapter to their life?

This chapter invites a believer to first take seriously who Jesus is, the beloved Son and cornerstone, and not to treat His words lightly. It also calls for honest hearts, not like the leaders who knew the truth about John and Jesus but refused to admit it. We learn to give proper respect to earthly authorities while remembering that all we are belongs to God. The teaching on resurrection gives hope beyond death and reminds us to live as children of God. The warning about the scribes urges us to avoid pride, show care for the vulnerable, and seek a faith that is real, not just for show.

Luke.20.1

Luke 20:1

KJV

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,

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

1 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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

9 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.

10 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.

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

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

13 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.

14 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 our’s.

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

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

17 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?

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

Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 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.

20 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.

21 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:

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

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

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

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

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

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

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

28 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.

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

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

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

32 Last of all the woman died also.

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

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

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

36 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.

37 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.

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

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

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

Whose Son Is the Christ?

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

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

43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

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

Beware of the Scribes

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

46 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;

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

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.