Luke 20 - The Pharisees Question Jesus But End Up Bringing Looking Foolish

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The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Jesus was in the temple courts doing two things he did quite a bit, teaching and preaching. Teaching the Old Testament and preaching the Good News of the kingdom. He was teaching with authority as he always did. The Jewish leaders question him by asking him by what authority did he teach and preach.

Rather than reacting defensively, Jesus knew that they really weren't sincerely seeking an answer to this question. They were looking to discredit him. So, instead of answering them, he asked them a question, "By what authority did John the Baptist baptize him with." They were in a bind and went away with their "tails between their legs". 

"If we want answers from Jesus, we must deal rightly with the truth that has already been revealed. These men knew that John said Jesus was the Messiah, and were not willing to accept it." - Guzik

The Parable of the Tenants

The relationship between the owner of the vineyard and the tenants was common in Jesus' day. 

This parable had more than a cultural connection; it was also rooted in the Old Testament. Jesus’ first listeners would remember that the vineyard was used in the Old Testament as a picture of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). In this parable, the tenants (the vinedressers) represented the religious leaders among the Jewish people. - Guzik

In the story the owner went away for a "long time". This could represent the time between when God had left Israel in charge of His Vineyard until Jesus came. Israel was often called the "Vine of God". But when Israel did not bear fruit, God sent the prophets to try and correct them, but they abused and killed the prophets. 

Then, when the Owner (God) sent His Son (Jesus), they rejected him and killed him just like they eventually would do with Jesus. 

Jesus ended the parable quoting Psalm 118 where King David said, "The stone the builders rejected became the cornerstone".  

The cornerstone, “designated in antiquity the stone used at the building’s corner to bear the weight or the stress of the two walls. It would have functioned somewhat like a ‘keystone’ or ‘capstone’ in an arch or other architectural form. It was the stone which was essential or crucial to the whole structure.” (Fitzmyer, cited in Pate)

Without Jesus, Christianity is not Christianity. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to God apart from him. He is the cornerstone which holds the Church together. 

Paying Taxes to Caesar

Once again the leaders tried to trap Jesus, this time sending spies. They asked him if they should pay the tax to Caesar. If Jesus answered "yes", they would accuse of him with siding with the evil Roman government. If he said "no", they would accuse him of being a lawbreaker. 

Once again Jesus' wisdom far surpassed the leaders. He took a coin and asked them whose image was on it. Then he uttered the famous words, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what it God's". 

 "Jesus affirmed that the government makes legitimate requests of us. We are responsible to God in all things, but we must be obedient to government in matters civil and national." - Guzik

The Resurrection and Marriage

The Sadducees, who didn't believe in anything supernatural including the resurrection of the dead, now tried to trap him.

The Sadducees were the ancient version of the modern liberal theologians. They were anti-supernaturalistic, only accepting the first five books of Moses as authentic – and disregarding what was written in those books when it pleased them to do so. They did not believe in immortality, spirits or angels. 

Jesus told them that they had no idea of what life and relationships would be like in heaven. While saying that people would not be given or taken in marriage, Jesus was not demeaning the value of marriage. But he was explaining the temporal nature of marriage. Marriage is blessed by God and not only brings joy to the husband and wife but also keeps the human race going.

Importantly Jesus is not denying either the value of relationships or saying there won't be important and fulfilling relationships in heaven. 

If it seems that life in the resurrection that Jesus spoke of here does not include some of the pleasures of life we know on earth, it is only because the enjoyments and satisfactions of heaven far surpass what we know on earth. We can’t be completely certain what life in glory beyond will be like, but we can know with certainty that no one will be disappointed with the arrangements (Revelation 22:1-5).

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

Jesus then offers his own question. He quotes Psalm 110, where King David says, "The Lord said to my Lord". Here is referring to the fact that David's Lord is the Messiah, though he too is a king. 

Quoting Psalm 110:1, Jesus noted that King David called the Messiah his Lord. This means that the Messiah is not only the Son of David (a popular Messianic title), He is also the Lord of David. As Revelation 22:16 says, He is both the root and offspring of David. 

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

As we end the chapter, Jesus goes on the offensive by exposing the pride of the Pharisees. As he describes their behavior, he is showing their hypocrisy. Their "walk didn't match their talk". This is probably one of the reasons the Pharisees were so threatened by Jesus. He spoke the truth and it hit too close to home. 

When you are living an integrated life being honest with yourself and others, you don't have to worry about what others say about you!

Does your walk match your talk? A Christian rock group called D.C. Talk wrote these words in on of their songs,  "Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips but deny him with their lifestyle are what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelieveable."