Luke 20:40 - Printer Friendly

Jesus and His followers receive a slight reprieve. Over the week before Passover, Jesus has been teaching on the Temple Mount. First, however, He had to clear it of the merchants and money changers who filled the Court of the Gentiles (Luke 19:45–46). Local religious leaders had been trying to get rid of Him for years (Mark 3:6) and saw their opportunity. The Temple Mount was the territory of the priests. The city elders probably hired the merchants. Along with the scribes—experts in the Mosaic law—they were powerful people in Jerusalem and their kind made up most the Sanhedrin: the local ruling council.

When they confronted Jesus about His authority to clear the courtyard, they likely assumed their own authority would exceed whatever He could produce. But His answer forced them to define their sense of "authority." They wanted to discuss authority, so what was their view of John the Baptist? Did they agree with John? Jesus' accusers were afraid to give an honest answer. If they admitted they didn't agree with John, the crowd would turn against them. But agreeing with John would imply accepting John's words that God the Father gave Jesus His authority. They withdrew their question (Luke 20:1–8).

Next, the scribes and chief priests sent in spies to try to catch Jesus in a potential capital offense. They asked Jesus if Jews should pay taxes to Caesar. If Jesus said yes, He might come across as tolerant of pagan worship and unsupportive of Jewish national freedom. If He said no, perhaps the Romans could arrest Him for sedition. Jesus asked them for a coin; someone quickly produced one with Caesar's inscription on it. That proved their own hypocrisy. They use Roman money; they also use Roman roads and the Roman army for safety during travel. Many of them couldn't have gotten to Jerusalem for Passover if not for the Pax Romana. They should pay to Caesar what is Caesar's but also to God what is God's (Luke 20:19–26).

Finally, the Sadducees give Jesus a riddle. This Jewish sect doesn't believe in the resurrection of the dead; their hypothetical situation attempts to prove the resurrection is illogical. Jesus corrects their assumption about life after death and then turns to Moses' account of meeting God. God claimed to be the God of the Patriarchs who had died hundreds of years before. How can God be the God of the dead (Luke 20:27–38)?

The religious leaders see they are defeated; there is no trapping Jesus with their questions. If they want to destroy Jesus, they'll have to do their work away from the eyes of the crowd.

Luke 20:27–40 records the Sadducees trying to discredit Jesus' authority to teach. They plan to present a paradox about marriage and the resurrection of the dead. Leaders of other religious sects have already failed to embarrass Jesus regarding the law and civil responsibilities (Luke 20:19–26). Jesus easily explains away the Sadducees' argument using the very text which their sect reveres: the Torah. He continues with proof that the Christ has authority over David and warns the people to be wary of the scribes' hypocrisy (Luke 20:41–47). This debate is also recorded in Matthew 22:23–33 and Mark 12:18–27.

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.