KJV
Luke 20
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,
2And spake unto him, saying, 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 will also ask you one thing; and answer me:›
4‹The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?›
5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
7And they answered, that they could not tell whence [it was].
8And 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.
17And 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.›
19And 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.
21And 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:
22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
23But 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.
25And he said unto them, ‹Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.›
26And 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,
28Saying, 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.
29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
32Last of all the woman died also.
33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
34And 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.
40And after that they durst not ask him any [question at all].
41And 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?›
45Then 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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Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit: do not Marry Luke 20:35
But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.
Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit: Immortal Luke 20:36
In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
Baptism: John's Luke 20:4
John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
Brother: Brother's Widow--Law Concerning--Levirate Marriage of Luke 20:28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.
Caesar: Tiberius Luke 20:22
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Capital and Labor: Strife Between Luke 20:9–16
Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. / So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.
Church: Christ, Head of Luke 20:17, 18
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? / Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
Citizens: Duties of Luke 20:22–25
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, / “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.
Cornerstone of Christ Luke 20:17
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
Craftiness: Jews, in Seeking to Entangle the Master Luke 20:19–26
When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people. / So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. / “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 20:35, 36
But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. / In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
Death: Exemption From: No Death in Heaven Luke 20:36
In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 20:34–38
Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. / But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. / In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
Debtor: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 20:9–16
Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. / So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.
Detectives: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 20:20
So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.
Flattery by the Herodians Luke 20:21
“Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Fort: Erected in Vineyards and Herding Grounds Luke 20:9
Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time.
Garments: Worn Long and Flowing Luke 20:46
“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.
God: Longsuffering of Luke 20:9–16
Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. / At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. / So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.
Government: Duty of Citizens To Luke 20:25
So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Heaven: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 20:34–36
Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. / But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. / In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 20:46, 47
“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
Hypocrisy: Spies Sent to Entrap Jesus Luke 20:21
“Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Immortality: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 20:36–38
In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God. / Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ / He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
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Luke 20:1-8 Verses 1-8
Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give account of his authority, to those who knew the baptism of John to be from heaven, yet would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge.
Luke 20:9-19 Verses 9-19
Christ spake this parable against those who resolved not to own his authority, though the evidence of it was so full. How many resemble the Jews who murdered the prophets and crucified Christ, in their enmity to God, and aversion to his service, desiring to live according to their lusts, without control! Let all who are favoured with God's word, look to it that they make proper use of their advantages. Awful will be the doom, both of those who reject the Son, and of those who profess to reverence Him, yet render not the fruits in due season. Though they could not but own that for such a sin, such a punishment was just, yet they could not bear to hear of it. It is the folly of sinners, that they persevere in sinful ways, though they dread the destruction at the end of those ways.
Luke 20:20-26 Verses 20-26
Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and will teach our duty to God, to our rulers, and to all men, so clearly, that opposers will have no evil to say of us.
Luke 20:27-38 Verses 27-38
It is common for those who design to undermine any truth of God, to load it with difficulties. But we wrong ourselves, and wrong the truth of Christ, when we form our notions of the world of spirits by this world of sense. There are more worlds than one; a present visible world, and a future unseen world; and let every one compare this world and that world, and give the preference in his thoughts and cares to that which deserves them. Believers shall obtain the resurrection from the dead, that is the blessed resurrection. What shall be the happy state of the inhabitants of that world, we cannot express or conceive, 1Co 2:9. Those that are entered into the joy of their Lord, are entirely taken up therewith; when there is perfection of holiness there will be no occasion for preservatives from sin. And when God called himself the God of these patriarchs, he meant that he was a God all-sufficient to them, Ge 17:1, their exceeding great Reward, Ge 15:1. He never did that for them in this world, which answered the full extent of his undertaking; therefore there must be another life, in which he will do that for them, which will completely fulfil the promise.
Luke 20:39-47 Verses 39-47
The scribes commended the reply Christ made to the Sadducees about the resurrection, but they were silenced by a question concerning the Messiah. Christ, as God, was David's Lord; but Christ, as man, was David's son. The scribes would receive the severest judgement for defrauding the poor widows, and for their abuse of religion, particularly of prayer, which they used as a pretence for carrying on worldly and wicked plans. Dissembled piety is double sin. Then let us beg of God to keep us from pride, ambition, covetousness, and every evil thing; and to teach us to seek that honour which comes from him alone.