Luke 20:1-26
Q.1. How did Jesus outwit the religious leaders? Why didn’t He give them a direct answer? – (Lk.20:1-8)
Once again the Scribes and Pharisees challenged the authority of Jesus. He knew that John’s call to repent and be baptised had been widely accepted by the people but rejected by the leaders. He used this knowledge to expose their hypocrisy. He asked a simple question: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? (Lk.20:4). A response either way would have them in trouble. They were caught out, so refused to answer Christ’s question (Lk.20:5-7). The source of His authority was obvious (Lk.20:8).
Q.2. What message did this parable of Jesus imply to His hearers? What did Jesus prophecy about the future? – (Lk.20:9-18)
This parable of Jesus revealed the brilliance and insight you would expect from God alone. (c.f. Lk.20:2 & 8). In the story, He alluded to the shameful way the nation of Israel had treated God’s servants (Lk.20:9-12). God’s answer to the rejection of His servants was to send His beloved Son (Lk.20:13). Jesus predicted their response in the allegory – This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours. So, they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him … (Lk.20:14-15). He gave a clear prediction about Himself, by quoting a well-known Psalm about the Messiah. He warned them – 17 … “What then is this that is written: `The stone which the builders rejected this became the chief corner stone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” (Lk.20:17-18 c.f. Ps.118:22 & 23). Jesus knew what was to happen to Him, because of what had been written in the Scriptures.
Q.3. How did the religious leaders try to trap Jesus? What does the incident teach us about our responsibilities to God and the authorities? – (Lk.20:19-26)
The leaders understood that the rebellious vine-growers in the story represented Israel. They knew this story applied to them – 19 … for they understood that He spoke this parable against them. 20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor (Lk.20:19-20 c.f. Is. 5:1-7). The stage was set for a contest. They had to gain evidence of Christ’s opposition to Caesar, even though they hated everything for which Rome stood. They approached Jesus with flattery and a trick question – Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? (Lk.20:22). Jesus asked for a coin. He outsmarted their treachery, when He told them – Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Lk.20:25). Jesus’ amazing way of handling these questions was more evidence that He was and is God.