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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 20:19 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:19 discusses the immediate reaction of the chief priests and scribes after Jesus told a parable that they understood was directed against them.

In the narrative, the religious authorities want to arrest Jesus (lay hands on him) because they recognize that he is critiquing their behavior and teaching.

Their intention to seize him is checked by their fear of the public, whom they perceive as being sympathetic to Jesus.

This verse highlights the tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders, which is a recurring theme in the Gospels.

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Historical Context

The verse occurs during the week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, a period commonly known as Passion Week. This timeframe is marked by escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities.

The setting is the Jerusalem Temple where Jesus is teaching during one of the major Jewish festivals, possibly the Feast of Tabernacles or Passover.

At this time, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders is at a climax.

The temple was not just a place of worship but a center of Jewish national and political life.

Theological Insights

Theologically, the response of the religious leaders highlights the biblical theme of human resistance to divine messages that challenge entrenched power structures.

From a Christian viewpoint, Jesus is seen as the truth-teller who unmasks the hypocrisy of those in religious power, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah who would establish justice.

The scribes and chief priests represent the resistance of the old order to the new kingdom being ushered in by Christ.

Practical Applications

This verse reminds believers of the potential cost of discipleship, which may include misunderstanding, opposition, or hostility from those resisting change or feeling threatened.

It also emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with truth, even when that truth is unpopular.

Followers of Jesus might draw inspiration from his courage in speaking out against corruption and injustice.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:45-46 - "And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."
Mark 12:12 - "And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way."
John 7:30 - "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come."
Isaiah 53:3 - "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the verb "εἰδότες" (eidotes), translated as "perceived," carries a sense of knowing or recognizing, which conveys that the chief priests and scribes had no doubt about whom the parable was directed.

The phrase "to lay hands on him" translates from "ἐπιβαλεῖν τὰς χεῖρας" (epibalein tas cheiras), which means to seize or to arrest with force, suggesting a hostile intention.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The antagonism between a spiritual leader and the established religious authorities can be found in many religious traditions.

For instance, in Hinduism, reformers like Buddha also faced resistance from the Vedic priests of their time.

Similarly, in Islam, Prophet Muhammad faced opposition from the leaders of Mecca when he started to preach his revelations.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse speaks to the psychological and sociological dynamics of power and influence rather than addressing natural scientific principles.

However, modern social science might look at this incident as an example of how established structures react to challenges against their authority, often with attempts to silence dissent.

Commentaries

Commentators often point out the escalating conflict in narratives like Luke 20:19.

Some focus on the political and social dimensions of the conflict, emphasizing the power struggle and fear of the religious leaders.

Others interpret the verse Christologically, seeing it as a step on the path to the crucifixion and a testament to Jesus' fulfillment of his messianic role as described in the Hebrew Scriptures.

There is typically an agreement that this verse exhibits the deliberate choices of Jesus to confront corrupt religious systems and the fear-induced reactions of those systems to maintain control.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:19 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 20:19 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?