Luke Chapter 20

New Testament Gospel 47 Verses

What is Luke 20 about?

The most detailed Gospel — Jesus as the Son of Man, with special emphasis on the poor, women, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the scribes with the elders;
2and they spake, saying unto him, Tell us: By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
3And he answered and said unto them, I also will ask you a question; and tell me:
4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why did ye not believe him?
6But if we shall say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
7And they answered, that they knew not whence [it was].
8And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
9And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.
10And at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
11And he sent yet another servant: and him also they beat, and handled him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12And he sent yet a third: and him also they wounded, and cast him forth.
13And the lord of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will reverence him.
14But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned one with another, saying, This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
15And they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
16He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
17But he looked upon them, and said, What then is this that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner?
18Every one that falleth on that stone shall be broken to pieces; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.
19And the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he spake this parable against them.
20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor.
21And they asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest not the person [of any], but of a truth teachest the way of God:
22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them,
24Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said, Caesar`s.
25And he said unto them, Then render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar`s, and unto God the things that are God`s.
26And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
27And there came to him certain of the Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection;
28and they asked him, saying, Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, that if a man`s brother die, having a wife, and he be childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died childless;
30and the second:
31and the third took her; and likewise the seven also left no children, and died.
32Afterward the woman also died.
33In the resurrection therefore whose wife of them shall she be? for the seven had her to wife.
34And Jesus said unto them, The sons of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35but they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36for neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
37But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in [the place concerning] the Bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
38Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
39And certain of the scribes answering said, Teacher, thou hast well said.
40For they durst not any more ask him any question.
41And he said unto them, How say they that the Christ is David`s son?
42For David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
43Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.
44David therefore calleth him Lord, and how is he his son?
45And in the hearing of all the people he said unto his disciples,
46Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts;
47who devour widows` houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater condemnation.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, etc.] According to the account of the Evangelist Mark, it must be the second day, or two days after his public entrance into Jerusalem; for on the evening of the day he made his entry, he went out to Bethany with his disciples; the next morning, as he returned from thence, he cursed the barren fig tree; and when he came to the temple cast out the buyers and sellers; at evening he went out again, either to Bethany, or the Mount of Olives; and the next morning, as he and his disciples returned, the fig tree was observed to be dried up; and when they were come to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS QUESTIONED, AND HIS REPLY--PARABLE OF THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN. (Luke 20:1-19) these things--particularly the clearing of the temple.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:23-27. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Mat 21:23; Mar 11:27. Luke 20:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“20:1-47 In this series of controversies between Jesus and the religious leaders of Jerusalem, they repeatedly questioned and challenged him, and he repeatedly outmatched them with his spiritual wisdom, insight, and authority. 20:1 the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders: The most influential Jewish leaders in Jerusalem converged against Jesus, who threatened their authority.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“that: Luk 19:47, Luk 19:48; Mar 11:27; Joh 18:20 the chief: 1Chr. 24:1-31 Luke 20:2”
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Sources and verification