Net English TranslationLuke 20 =
The Authority of Jesus
20

1 Now one1 day, as Jesus2 was teaching the people in the temple courts3 and proclaiming4 the gospel, the chief priests and the experts in the law5 with the elders came up6 2 and said to him,7 “Tell us: By what authority8 are you doing these things?9 Or who it is who gave you this authority?” 3 He answered them,10 “I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: 4 John’s baptism11 – was it from heaven or from people?”12 5 So13 they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From people,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So14 they replied that they did not know15 where it came from. 8 Then16 Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you17 by whose authority18 I do these things.”

The Parable of the Tenants

9 Then19 he began to tell the people this parable: “A man20 planted a vineyard,21 leased it to tenant farmers,22 and went on a journey for a long time. 10 When harvest time came, he sent a slave23 to the tenants so that they would give24 him his portion of the crop.25 However, the tenants beat his slave26 and sent him away empty-handed. 11 So27 he sent another slave. They beat this one too, treated him outrageously, and sent him away empty-handed.28 12 So29 he sent still a third. They even wounded this one, and threw him out. 13 Then30 the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my one dear son;31 perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir; let’s kill him so the inheritance will be ours!’ 15 So32 they threw him out of the vineyard and killed33 him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy34 those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”35 When the people36 heard this, they said, “May this never happen!”37 17 But Jesus38 looked straight at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?39 18 Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces,40 and the one on whom it falls will be crushed.”41 19 Then42 the experts in the law43 and the chief priests wanted to arrest44 him that very hour, because they realized he had told this parable against them. But45 they were afraid of the people.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 Then46 they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere.47 They wanted to take advantage of what he might say48 so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction49 of the governor. 21 Thus50 they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly,51 and show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.52 22 Is it right53 for us to pay the tribute tax54 to Caesar55 or not?” 23 But Jesus56 perceived their deceit57 and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius.58 Whose image59 and inscription are on it?”60 They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 So61 he said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”62 26 Thus63 they were unable in the presence of the people to trap64 him with his own words.65 And stunned66 by his answer, they fell silent.

Marriage and the Resurrection

27 Now some Sadducees67 (who contend that there is no resurrection)68 came to him. 28 They asked him,69 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, that man70 must marry71 the widow and father children72 for his brother.73 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman74 and died without children. 30 The second75 31 and then the third married her, and in this same way all seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally the woman died too. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be?76 For all seven had married her.”77

34 So78 Jesus said to them, “The people of this age79 marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are regarded as worthy to share in80 that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.81 36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are equal to angels82 and are sons of God, since they are83 sons84 of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses revealed that the dead are raised85 in the passage about the bush,86 where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.87 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living,88 for all live before him.”89 39 Then90 some of the experts in the law91 answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well!”92 40 For they did not dare any longer to ask93 him anything.

The Messiah: David’s Son and Lord

41 But94 he said to them, “How is it that they say that the Christ95 is David’s son?96 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

‘The Lord said to my97 lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

43 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’98

44 If David then calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”99

Jesus Warns the Disciples against Pride

45 As100 all the people were listening, Jesus101 said to his disciples, 46 “Beware102 of the experts in the law.103 They104 like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings105 in the marketplaces and the best seats106 in the synagogues107 and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They108 devour109 widows’ property,110 and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment.”

1tn Grk “Now it happened that one.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. 2tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 3tn Grk “the temple.” 4tn Or “preaching.” 5tn Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21. 6sn The chief priests and the experts in the law with the elders came up. The description is similar to Luke 19:47. The leaders are really watching Jesus at this point. 7tn Grk “and said, saying to him.” This is redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation. 8tn On this phrase, see BDAG 844 s.v. ποῖος 2.a.γ. 9sn The leadership is looking back to acts like the temple cleansing (19:45-48). How could a Galilean preacher do these things? 10tn Grk “answering, he said to them.” This is redundant in English and has been simplified in the translation. 11sn John, like Jesus, was not a part of the official rabbinic order. So the question “John’s baptism – was it from heaven or from men?” draws an analogy between John the Baptist and Jesus. See Luke 3:1-20; 7:24-27. The phrase John’s baptism refers to the baptism practiced by John. 12tn The plural Greek term ἀνθρώπων (anqrwpwn) is used here (and in v. 6) in a generic sense, referring to both men and women (cf. NAB, NRSV, “of human origin”; TEV, “from human beings”; NLT, “merely human”).sn The question is whether John’s ministry was of divine or human origin. 13tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ question. 14tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the dilemma Jesus’ opponents faced. 15sn Very few questions could have so completely revealed the wicked intentions of the religious leaders. Jesus’ question revealed the motivation of the religious leaders and exposed them for what they really were – hypocrites. They indicted themselves when they cited only two options and chose neither of them. The point of Luke 20:1-8 is that no matter what Jesus said in response to their question they were not going to believe it and would in the end use it against him. 16tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. 17sn Neither will I tell you. Though Jesus gave no answer, the analogy he used to their own question makes his view clear. His authority came from heaven. 18tn On this phrase, see BDAG 844 s.v. ποῖος 2.a.γ. This is exactly the same phrase as in v. 2. 19tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. The parable Jesus tells here actually addresses the question put to him by the leaders. 20tc ‡ There are several variants here, most of which involve variations in word order that do not affect translation. However, the presence or absence of τις (ti") after ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), which would be translated “a certain man,” does affect translation. The witnesses that have τις include A W Θ Ë13 1241 2542 al sy. Those that lack it include א B C D L Ψ Ë1 33 Ï it. Externally, the evidence is significantly stronger for the omission. Internally, however, there is some pause. A feature unique to Luke-Acts in the NT is to use the construction ἄνθρωπος τις (cf. 10:30; 12:16; 14:2, 16; 15:11; 16:1; 19:12; Acts 9:33). However, scribes who were familiar with this idiom may have inserted it here. In light of the overwhelming external support for the omission of τις, the shorter reading is preferred. NA27 places τις in brackets, indicating some doubts as to its authenticity. 21sn The vineyard is a figure for Israel in the OT (Isa 5:1-7). The nation and its leaders are the tenants, so the vineyard here may well refer to the promise that resides within the nation. The imagery is like that in Rom 11:11-24. 22sn The leasing of land to tenant farmers was common in this period. 23sn This slave (along with the next two) represent the prophets God sent to the nation, who were mistreated and rejected. 24tc Instead of the future indicative δώσουσιν (dwsousin, “they will give”), most witnesses (C D W Θ Ψ Ë1 Ï) have the aorist subjunctive δῶσιν (dwsin, “they might give”). The aorist subjunctive is expected following ἵνα ({ina, “so that”), so it is almost surely a motivated reading. Further, early and excellent witnesses, as well as a few others (א A B Ë13 33 579 1241 2542 al), have δώσουσιν. It is thus more likely that the future indicative is authentic. For a discussion of this construction, see BDF §369.2. 25tn Grk “from the fruit of the vineyard.” 26tn Grk “him”; the referent (the slave sent by the owner) has been specified in the translation for clarity.sn The image of the tenants beating up the owner’s slave pictures the nation’s rejection of the prophets and their message. 27tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the tenants’ mistreatment of the first slave. 28sn The slaves being sent empty-handed suggests that the vineyard was not producing any fruit – and thus neither was the nation of Israel. 29tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the tenants’ mistreatment of the first two slaves. 30tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. 31tn Grk “my beloved son.” See comment at Luke 3:22.sn The owner’s decision to send his one dear son represents God sending Jesus. 32tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the tenants’ decision to kill the son. 33sn Throwing the heir out of the vineyard pictures Jesus’ death outside of Jerusalem. 34sn The statement that the owner will come and destroy those tenants is a promise of judgment; see Luke 13:34-35; 19:41-44. 35sn The warning that the owner would give the vineyard to others suggests that the care of the promise and the nation’s hope would be passed to others. This eventually looks to Gentile inclusion; see Eph 2:11-22. 36tn Grk “they”; the referent (the people addressed in v. 9) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 37sn May this never happen! Jesus’ audience got the point and did not want to consider a story where the nation would suffer judgment. 38tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 39tn Or “capstone,” “keystone.” Although these meanings are lexically possible, the imagery in Eph 2:20-22 and 1 Cor 3:11 indicates that the term κεφαλὴ γωνίας (kefalh gwnia") refers to a cornerstone, not a capstone.sn The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. The use of Ps 118:22-23 and the “stone imagery” as a reference to Christ and his suffering and exaltation is common in the NT (see also Matt 21:42; Mark 12:10; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet 2:6-8; cf. also Eph 2:20). The irony in the use of Ps 118:22-23 here is that in the OT, Israel was the one rejected (or perhaps her king) by the Gentiles, but in the NT it is Jesus who is rejected by Israel. 40tn On this term, see BDAG 972 s.v. συνθλάω. 41tn Grk “on whomever it falls, it will crush him.”sn This proverb basically means that the stone crushes, without regard to whether it falls on someone or someone falls on it. On the stone as a messianic image, see Isa 28:16 and Dan 2:44-45. 42tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. 43tn Or “The scribes” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21. 44tn Grk “tried to lay hands on him.” 45tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context. 46tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. 47tn Grk “righteous,” but in this context the point is their false sincerity. 48tn Grk “so that they might catch him in some word.” 49tn This word is often translated “authority” in other contexts, but here, in combination with ἀρχή (arch), it refers to the domain or sphere of the governor’s rule (L&N 37.36). 50tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the plans by the spies. 51tn Or “precisely”; Grk “rightly.” Jesus teaches exactly, the straight and narrow. 52sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question was specifically designed to trap Jesus. 53tn Or “lawful,” that is, in accordance with God’s divine law. On the syntax of ἔξεστιν (exestin) with an infinitive and accusative, see BDF §409.3. 54tn This was a “poll tax.” L&N 57.182 states this was “a payment made by the people of one nation to another, with the implication that this is a symbol of submission and dependence – ‘tribute tax.’” 55tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor). 56tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 57tn Or “craftiness.” The term always has negative connotations in the NT (1 Cor 3:19; 2 Cor 4:2; 11:3; Eph 4:14). 58tn Here the specific name of the coin was retained in the translation, because not all coins in circulation in Palestine at the time carried the image of Caesar. In other places δηνάριον (dhnarion) has been translated simply as “silver coin” with an explanatory note.sn A denarius was a silver coin worth approximately one day’s wage for a laborer. The fact that the leaders had such a coin showed that they already operated in the economic world of Rome. The denarius would have had a picture of Tiberius Caesar, the Roman emperor, on it. 59tn Or “whose likeness.”sn In this passage Jesus points to the image (Grk εἰκών, eikwn) of Caesar on the coin. This same Greek word is used in Gen 1:26 (LXX) to state that humanity is made in the “image” of God. Jesus is making a subtle yet powerful contrast: Caesar’s image is on the denarius, so he can lay claim to money through taxation, but God’s image is on humanity, so he can lay claim to each individual life. 60tn Grk “whose likeness and inscription does it have?” 61tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ pronouncement results from the opponents’ answer to his question. 62sn Jesus’ answer to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s was a both/and, not the questioners’ either/or. So he slipped out of their trap. 63tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ unexpected answer. 64tn On this term, see BDAG 374 s.v. ἐπιλαμβάνομαι 3. 65tn Grk “to trap him in a saying.” 66tn Or “amazed.” 67sn The Sadducees controlled the official political structures of Judaism at this time, being the majority members of the Sanhedrin. They were known as extremely strict on law and order issues (Josephus, J. W. 2.8.2 [2.119], 2.8.14 [2.164-166]; Ant. 13.5.9 [13.171-173], 13.10.6 [13.293-298], 18.1.2 [18.11], 18.1.4 [18.16-17], 20.9.1 [20.199]; Life 2 [10-11]). They also did not believe in resurrection or in angels, an important detail in v. 36. See also Matt 3:7, 16:1-12, 22:23-34; Mark 12:18-27; Acts 4:1, 5:17, 23:6-8. 68sn This remark is best regarded as a parenthetical note by the author. 69tn Grk “asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. 70tn Grk “his brother”; but this would be redundant in English with the same phrase “his brother” at the end of the verse, so most modern translations render this phrase “the man” (so NIV, NRSV). 71tn The use of ἵνα (Jina) with imperatival force is unusual (BDF §470.1). 72tn Grk “and raise up seed,” an idiom for procreating children (L&N 23.59). 73sn A quotation from Deut 25:5. Because the OT quotation does not include “a wife” as the object of the verb, it has been left as normal type. This practice is called levirate marriage (see also Ruth 4:1-12; Mishnah, m. Yevamot; Josephus, Ant. 4.8.23 [4.254-256]). The levirate law is described in Deut 25:5-10. The brother of a man who died without a son had an obligation to marry his brother’s widow. This served several purposes: It provided for the widow in a society where a widow with no children to care for her would be reduced to begging, and it preserved the name of the deceased, who would be regarded as the legal father of the first son produced from that marriage. 74tn Grk “took a wife” (an idiom for marrying a woman). 75tc Most mss (A W Θ Ψ Ë1,13 33 Ï lat) have the words, “took the wife and this one died childless” after “the second.” But this looks like a clarifying addition, assimilating the text to Mark 12:21. In light of the early and diverse witnesses that lack the expression (א B D L 0266 892 1241 co), the shorter reading should be considered authentic. 76sn The point is a dilemma. In a world arguing a person should have one wife, whose wife will she be in the afterlife? The question was designed to show that (in the opinion of the Sadducees) resurrection leads to a major problem. 77tn Grk “For the seven had her as wife.” 78tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ response is a result of their framing of the question. 79tn Grk “sons of this age” (an idiom, see L&N 11.16). The following clause which refers to being “given in marriage” suggests both men and women are included in this phrase. 80tn Grk “to attain to.” 81sn Life in the age to come is different than life here (they neither marry nor are given in marriage). This means Jesus’ questioners had made a false assumption that life was the same both now and in the age to come. 82sn Angels do not die, nor do they eat according to Jewish tradition (1 En. 15:6; 51:4; Wis 5:5; 2 Bar. 51:10; 1QH 3.21-23). 83tn Grk “sons of God, being.” The participle ὄντες (ontes) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle here. 84tn Or “people.” The noun υἱός (Juios) followed by the genitive of class or kind (“sons of…”) denotes a person of a class or kind, specified by the following genitive construction. This Semitic idiom is frequent in the NT (L&N 9.4). 85tn Grk “But that the dead are raised even Moses revealed.” 86sn See Exod 3:6. Jesus used a common form of rabbinic citation here to refer to the passage in question. 87sn A quotation from Exod 3:6. 88sn He is not God of the dead but of the living. Jesus’ point was that if God could identify himself as God of the three old patriarchs, then they must still be alive when God spoke to Moses; and so they must be raised. 89tn On this syntax, see BDF §192. The point is that all live “to” God or “before” God. 90tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. 91tn Or “some of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21. 92sn Teacher, you have spoken well! The scribes, being Pharisees, were happy for the defense of resurrection and angels, which they (unlike the Sadducees) believed in. 93sn The attempt to show Jesus as ignorant had left the experts silenced. At this point they did not dare any longer to ask him anything. 94sn If the religious leaders will not dare to question Jesus any longer, then he will question them. 95tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 2:11. 96sn It was a common belief in Judaism that Messiah would be David’s son in that he would come from the lineage of David. On this point the Pharisees agreed and were correct. But their understanding was nonetheless incomplete, for Messiah is also David’s Lord. With this statement Jesus was affirming that, as the Messiah, he is both God and man. 97sn The Lord said to my Lord. With David being the speaker, this indicates his respect for his descendant (referred to as my Lord). Jesus was arguing, as the ancient exposition assumed, that the passage is about the Lord’s anointed. The passage looks at an enthronement of this figure and a declaration of honor for him as he takes his place at the side of God. In Jerusalem, the king’s palace was located to the right of the temple to indicate this kind of relationship. Jesus was pressing the language here to get his opponents to reflect on how great Messiah is. 98sn A quotation from Ps 110:1. 99tn Grk “David thus calls him ‘Lord.’ So how is he his son?” The conditional nuance, implicit in Greek, has been made explicit in the translation (cf. Matt 22:45). 100tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 101tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 102tn Or “Be on guard against.” This is a present imperative and indicates that pride is something to constantly be on the watch against. 103tn Or “of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21. 104tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun by the prior phrase. 105sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1642; H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498. 106sn See Luke 14:1-14. 107sn See the note on synagogues in 4:15. 108tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun in v. 46. 109sn How they were able to devour widows’ houses is debated. Did they seek too much for contributions, or take too high a commission for their work, or take homes after debts failed to be paid? There is too little said here to be sure. 110tn Grk “houses,” “households”; however, the term can have the force of “property” or “possessions” as well (O. Michel, TDNT 5:131; BDAG 695 s.v. οἶκια 1.a).
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