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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 20:41 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:41 presents a question posed by Jesus to His listeners regarding the lineage of the Christ, which translates to the 'Anointed One' or the 'Messiah'.

The question challenges the common Jewish belief of the time that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, yet also bearing the title 'Lord' with respect to David.

In essence, Jesus is bringing into question the purely patrilineal understanding of the Messiah by introducing a theological conundrum: if the Messiah is David's descendant, how is He also David's Lord?

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Historical Context

The verse is set within the larger context of a series of interactions between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.

During this period, there was a heightened expectation among the Jews for the coming of the Messiah, who they believed would be a political and military leader arising from the lineage of King David to restore the Jewish kingdom and liberate them from Roman occupation.

Theological Insights

This question challenges the interpretation of the Messiah from a purely human descent model.

From a Christian theological perspective, it is explicated as a reference to the dual nature of Christ, being both fully human and fully divine.

This means that while Jesus is a descendant of David according to the flesh (human nature), He is also Lord (divine) and therefore preexists David. This interpretation reinforces the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation, where Jesus is understood to be the Word of God made flesh.

Other religious viewpoints may interpret this differently. For example, Judaism would maintain its expectation for a messianic figure in line with the traditional understanding of Davidic descent and may not accept the Christian interpretation of Jesus' divinity.

Practical Applications

The question posed by Jesus encourages believers to consider the multidimensional aspects of their faith, particularly the mysteries of His divine nature and His fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

It challenges individuals to move beyond surface-level understandings and to consider the deeper implications of the scriptures in their lives.

This can apply to a personal examination of faith and how believers perceive the teachings of Jesus and God's redemptive plan.

Cross-References

Psalm 110:1 – "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Matthew 22:42-45 – “Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.

He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?"

Mark 12:35-37 – “And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?”

Language Study

The key words in this verse are "Christ" (Greek: Χριστός, Christós), which means 'anointed one' or 'Messiah,' and "David's son" (Greek: υἱός Δαυίδ, huios David), referring to a direct descendant of King David.

The word translated as "said" (Greek: λέγουσιν, legousin) indicates ongoing discussion or teaching at that time.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a divine or semi-divine figure arising from human lineage is seen in various ancient myths and religions. For example, many Greek demi-gods, like Hercules, were believed to have one mortal parent and one divine parent.

In contrast, the Jewish expectation of the Messiah was traditionally not seen as a divine figure but as a human appointed by God.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science delves deeply into genetics and inheritance, showing us that lineage is a complex interplay of DNA passed down through generations.

This verse poses no direct commentary on scientific understanding, but the conversation around 'sonship' and 'descent' is potentially enriched by an awareness of the complexities of genetic inheritance and the historical understanding of familial lines.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse generally uphold the Christian interpretation that Jesus is using this question to assert His divine nature alongside His human nature as a descendant of David.

Matthew Henry's commentary suggests that Jesus is correcting the Jewish leaders' expectation of a purely worldly Messiah.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary elaborates that this verse reflects a deep Christological insight, affirming the early Christian belief in the pre-existence of Christ.

Most Christian commentaries agree that Jesus is affirming the theological truth of His dual identity as both David's descendant and Lord, thus establishing the foundation for later fully formed Christological doctrines.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:41 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 20:41 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?