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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 20:44 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 20:44, "David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?" is part of a dialogue Jesus had with the Jewish religious leaders regarding the identity of the Messiah.

The religious leaders taught that the Messiah would be a descendant of David.

Here, Jesus references Psalm 110:1, which says, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” In this psalm, David refers to the Messiah as his Lord, indicating that the Messiah is more than just a human descendant, he has a divine status.

Jesus challenges them to consider how the Messiah could be both David's Lord and his descendant, opening the door to the concept of the dual nature of the Messiah, both divine and human.

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Historical Context

During the time when Jesus spoke these words, there was a common understanding among the Jewish people that the Messiah would be a political deliverer who would come from the lineage of King David.

This expectation was based on various Old Testament prophecies.

In the broader context of Luke 20, Jesus is in Jerusalem teaching in the temple and facing a series of challenges from religious leaders who were trying to trap him in his words.

The question of the Messiah's identity was central to the religious tensions of the day, as Jesus' claims about himself were seen as controversial and even blasphemous by many religious authorities.

Theological Insights

This verse sparks significant theological insights into the nature of Jesus as the Christ:

The Incarnation: It suggests the Christian belief that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. 2.

The Trinity: The Psalm that Jesus quotes speaks of two divine persons in a singular divine essence, which can be seen as a foreshadowing of the Trinity. 3.

The Messianic Fulfillment: Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, some of which were not fully understood before his coming, such as the Messiah's divinity.

Different theological views might interpret this verse differently. For example, Jewish scholars do not see Jesus as the Messiah and interpret Psalm 110 differently, while Christian theologians see this verse as Jesus revealing his identity as the expected Messiah.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can challenge individuals to consider their own understanding of who Jesus is and the implications of his dual nature in their faith. It can also inspire believers to study Scripture with a mindset open to both its literal and deeper meanings.

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 22:44 - “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?”
Mark 12:36 - "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."
Acts 2:34-35 - "For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool."
Hebrews 1:13 - “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, "David therefore calleth him 'Lord' (κύριος - kyrios)" indicates a title of authority and divinity, juxtaposing it with "how is he then his son" (υἱός - huios), a term used for familial relations and human descent.

The contrast in terms contrasts the understood human lineage of the Messiah with his divine lordship.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, many cultures had myths of gods who took on human form or heroes who were considered semi-divine.

However, the Jewish concept of the Messiah as being both fully divine and fully human is unique, and Jesus' characterization as such separates him from mythical gods or legendary heroes.

Scientific Perspectives

While science has no scope to directly address theological concepts such as the nature of the Messiah, it contributes to our understanding of human lineage and genealogy, tools which can be used to trace ancestry and affirm the human descent of historical figures, including possibly that of Jesus from David.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians have discussed Luke 20:44 throughout the centuries. For instance:

John Calvin saw this text as an indication of the divine nature of Christ and confirmed the deity of Christ as acknowledged by David.
Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary considers this passage as Jesus confounding the Pharisees with their own scripture, revealing their ignorance of spiritual matters.
The Pulpit Commentary interprets this verse as highlighting the distinction between the Jewish leaders’ expectation of a purely human political Messiah and the true nature of Jesus as the divine Messiah.

These are only a sample of the wide range of commentaries that provide insight into the meanings and implications of the verse.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:44 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 20:44 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?