Luke 20:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and said to him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority."

NIV: "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?"

NASB: and they declared, saying to Him, 'Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?'

CSB: and said to him: "Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?"

NLT: They demanded, 'By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?'

KJV: And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

NKJV: and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”

This occurs during what is often called "Passion Week:" the days between Jesus' triumphal entry and His crucifixion. Jesus is on the Temple Mount, likely teaching in one of the porticoes. A group of chief priests, scribes, and elders approach (Luke 20:1). These may be members of the Jewish religious council. They're also the type of men who benefit from the vendors and the money-changers Jesus drove out from the Court of the Gentiles (Luke 19:45–46). Elders are lay businessmen and may have hired the vendors. Those vendors would likely pay the family of the high priest for the privilege of selling necessary sacrificial items to pilgrims. Jesus' defense of the devout Gentiles has cost them money.

Now, the leaders want to know why Jesus thinks He has the authority to expel the merchants. Jesus could turn the tables and ask about their own authority. Why do they think they can allow the Court of the Gentiles—the one area Gentiles can come and worship God—to be filled with hucksters who cheat worshipers out of their money?

Instead, Jesus discusses authority in a way that threatens what His accusers value most: public perception. He asks them about the authority of John the Baptist (Luke 20:3–4). They are trapped between affirming John—and therefore Jesus—or risking the anger of the people. So, they pretend they have no opinion (Luke 20:5–7).

Luke 20:1–8 begins the religious leaders' attack on Jesus' authority. Chief priests, scribes, and elders question Jesus' religious authority regarding the cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:45–46). In turn, Jesus challenges them to judge John the Baptist, the witness to Jesus' authority. Afraid of the crowd who believed John was a prophet, the religious leaders refuse to answer. Jesus responds with a parable about the Son of God (Luke 20:9–18). In the mirror image of this segment, Jesus will describe how the scribes' own sinful actions prove them unqualified to lead (Luke 20:45–47). Matthew 21:23–27 and Mark 11:27–33 also give accounts of this interaction.

After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus find Himself in conflict with the city's religious leaders. Elders, priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees all attempt to discredit Him. This comes mostly in challenging Jesus with trick questions. Jesus deftly handles those challenges without falling into the trap. He provides several teachings about His role as the Son of God and directly warns the Jewish people against their generation of scribes, who are arrogant and pretentious.

Luke 20 is a chiasm about authority. Jesus has entered Jerusalem and cleansed the temple (Luke 19:28–46). Now, the priests and teachers attack Jesus' authority in religion, law, and doctrine; Jesus defends Himself and shows their sinful lifestyles disqualify them for authority. After holding up a widow as a better role model (Luke 21:1–4), Jesus warns His disciples about the challenges they will face in the coming years, including the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:5–38). The events in Luke 20 are also discussed in Matthew 21—23 and Mark 11—12.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.