Luke Chapter 20

At a Glance

  • Luke 20 is part of the Jerusalem section, where conflict with religious leaders escalates and Jesus is tested by questions of legitimacy and authority.
  • - Divine authority vs.
  • - Rejection and fulfillment: the Son and the cornerstone.
  • - Judgment on unfaithful leadership.
  • - The transfer of blessing to others (Gentile inclusion implicit).

Luke 20 collects a sequence of contested authorities: Jesus’ authority questioned by the religious leadership, and a masterful parable of the vineyard that exposes their rebellion and invites a reimagining of leadership, authority, and fruit-bearing. The enemies challenge Jesus about the source of his power, attempting to trap him with a political-religious paradox. Jesus responds with a diagnostic question about John the Baptist’s baptism, inviting genuine discernment of heaven’s work. The vineyard parable refracts Israel’s history of divine patience and judgment: messengers are rejected, and the beloved Son is killed, prompting the judgment of the leaders who rejected him and the transfer of blessing to others. The scene culminates in Jesus quoting Psalm 118’s image of the rejected cornerstone becoming the chief cornerstone—a sobering portrayal of response to divine revelation and a call to recognize who truly bears authority. The chapter intensifies the arc of opposition, mission, and the cross, setting the stage for the climactic, eschatological confrontation that defines Luke’s Gospel approach to Jesus’ authority and the Kingdom.

Luke 20 is part of the Jerusalem section, where conflict with religious leaders escalates and Jesus is tested by questions of legitimacy and authority. The parable of the wicked tenants functions as a judgment against the leaders’ failure to steward God’s people and produce righteousness. This material is deeply theological, framing Jesus’ authority as recognized from heaven, while also predicting the rejection that leads to the cross. Luke uses a diagnostic teaching method—turning the question back to the questioners to reveal their own unbelief and complicity in the rejection of God’s messengers.

- Divine authority vs. human tradition

- Rejection and fulfillment: the Son and the cornerstone

- Judgment on unfaithful leadership

- The transfer of blessing to others (Gentile inclusion implicit)

- The necessity of genuine discernment in recognizing God’s work

- Evaluate where human authority or tradition has silenced divine truth; seek alignment with God’s revealed will.

- Reconsider leadership: leadership in the church and in society should bear fruit and reflect stewardship.

- Be vigilant against spiritual hubris; humility before God’s sovereignty is essential.

- Recognize that God’s plan often progresses through unexpected channels and outsiders, inviting broader inclusion.

- Deepen discernment: test teachings against the witness of Scripture, prayer, and communal wisdom.

- Isaiah 8:14-15 (stone of stumbling; cornerstone)

- Psalm 118:22 (stone the builders rejected becomes the chief cornerstone)

- Matthew 21:33-46 (the wicked tenants; prophetic parallel)

- Acts 4:11-12 (Jesus as cornerstone)

- 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 (judgment and reward for spiritual work)

- Jesus (authoritative teacher who reveals the Father’s plan)

- Paul (theology of apostleship, authority, and mission)

- An insightful prophet or skeptic within the leadership circle to explore conflict of viewpoints

Key Themes

Divine authority vs. human traditionRejection and fulfillment: the Son and the cornerstoneJudgment on unfaithful leadershipThe transfer of blessing to others (Gentile inclusion implicit)

Chapter Text

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.

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 ours.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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