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Luke chapter 20

English Standard Version

1One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
9And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
19The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24“Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
27There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30And the second 31and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32Afterward the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”
34And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” 39Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40For they no longer dared to ask him any question.
41But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? 42For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
43until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 44David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
45And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
New International Version

1One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,' they said. 'Who gave you this authority?'
3He replied, 'I will also ask you a question. Tell me: 4John's baptism--was it from heaven, or of human origin?'
5They discussed it among themselves and said, 'If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Why didn't you believe him?' 6But if we say, 'Of human origin,' all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.'
7So they answered, 'We don't know where it was from.'
8Jesus said, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'
9He went on to tell the people this parable: 'A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. 10At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.
13Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.'
14But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. 'This is the heir,' they said. 'Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'
15So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 'What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?
16He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.' When the people heard this, they said, 'God forbid!'
17Jesus looked directly at them and asked, 'Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ''The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?
18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.'
19The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.
20Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21So the spies questioned him: 'Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'
23He saw through their duplicity and said to them,
24Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?' 'Caesar's,' they replied.
25He said to them, 'Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.'
26They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
27Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28Teacher,' they said, 'Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30The second 31and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32Finally, the woman died too. 33Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?'
34Jesus replied, 'The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.'
39Some of the teachers of the law responded, 'Well said, teacher!' 40And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
41Then Jesus said to them, 'Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David?
42David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: ''The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand 43until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.''
44David calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?'
45While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.'
New American Standard Bible

1On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, 2and they declared, saying to Him, 'Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?' 3But He replied to them, 'I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: 4Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?' 5They discussed among themselves, saying, 'If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, since they are convinced that John was a prophet.' 7And so they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8And Jesus said to them, 'Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.'
9But He began to tell the people this parable: 'A man planted a vineyard and leased it to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time. 10At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11And he proceeded to send another slave; but they beat him also and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12And he proceeded to send a third; but this one too they wounded and threw out. 13Now the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What am I to do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14But when the vine-growers saw him, they discussed with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let’s kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ 15And so they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and put these vine-growers to death, and will give the vineyard to others.' However, when they heard this, they said, 'May it never happen!'
17But Jesus looked at them and said, 'Then what is this statement that has been written: ‘A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE’?
18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will crush him.'
19The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and yet they feared the people; for they were aware that He had spoken this parable against them. 20And so they watched Him closely, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could hand Him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. 21And the spies questioned Him, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God on the basis of truth. 22Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' 23But He saw through their trickery and said to them, 24Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?' They said, 'Caesar’s.' 25And He said to them, 'Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.' 26And they were unable to catch Him in a statement in the presence of the people; and they were amazed at His answer, and said nothing.
27Now some of the Sadducees (who maintain that there is no resurrection) came to Him, 28and they questioned Him, saying, 'Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife, and he is childless, that his brother is to marry the wife and raise up children for his brother. 29So then, there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; 30and the second 31and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. 32Finally the woman also died. 33Therefore, in the resurrection, which one’s wife does the woman become? For all seven married her.'
34Jesus said to them, 'The sons of this age marry and the women are given in marriage, 35but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36for they cannot even die anymore, for they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37But as for the fact that the dead are raised, even Moses revealed this in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord THE God OF ABRAHAM, 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 to Him.' 39Some of the scribes answered and said, 'Teacher, You have spoken well.' 40For they did not have the courage to question Him any longer about anything.
41But He said to them, 'How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son?
42For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘THE Lord SAID TO MY Lord, 'SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, 43UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.'?’
44Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and so how is He his son?'
45And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, 46Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 47who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.'
Christian Standard Bible

1One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came 2and said to him, "Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority? "
3He answered them, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin? "
5They discussed it among themselves: "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why didn't you believe him? ' 6But if we say, 'Of human origin,' all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet." 7So they answered that they did not know its origin.
8And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
9Now he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went away for a long time. 10At harvest time he sent a servant to the farmers so that they might give him some fruit from the vineyard. But the farmers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11He sent yet another servant, but they beat that one too, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12And he sent yet a third, but they wounded this one too and threw him out.
13"Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What should I do? I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.'
14"But when the tenant farmers saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, 'This is the heir. Let's kill him, so that the inheritance will be ours.'
15So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him."What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?
16He will come and kill those farmers and give the vineyard to others."But when they heard this they said, "That must never happen! "
17But he looked at them and said, "Then what is the meaning of this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone?
18Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it will shatter him."
19Then the scribes and the chief priests looked for a way to get their hands on him that very hour, because they knew he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.
20They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they could catch him in what he said, to hand him over to the governor's rule and authority. 21They questioned him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and you don't show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God. 22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not? "
23But detecting their craftiness, he said to them,
24"Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have? ""Caesar's," they said.
25"Well then," he told them, "give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
26They were not able to catch him in what he said in public, and being amazed at his answer, they became silent.
27Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up and questioned him: 28"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother has a wife, and dies childless, his brother should take the wife and produce offspring for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. 30Also the second 31and the third took her. In the same way, all seven died and left no children. 32Finally, the woman died too. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For all seven had married her."
34Jesus told them, "The children of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36For they can no longer die, because they are like angels and are children of God, since they are children of the resurrection. 37Moses even indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38He is not the God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to him."
39Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." 40And they no longer dared to ask him anything.
41Then he said to them, "How can they say that the Messiah is the son of David?
42For David himself says in the Book of Psalms:The Lord declared to my Lord,'Sit at my right hand 43until I make your enemies your footstool.'
44David calls him 'Lord.' How, then, can the Messiah be his son? "
45While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, 46"Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows' houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment."
New Living Translation

1One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 2They demanded, 'By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?'
3Let me ask you a question first,' he replied. 4Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?'
5They talked it over among themselves. 'If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 6But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.' 7So they finally replied that they didn’t know.
8And Jesus responded, 'Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.'
9Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: 'A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. 10At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. 11So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. 12A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.
13‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’
14But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’
15So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him. 'What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?' Jesus asked.
16I’ll tell you — he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.' 'How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,' his listeners protested.
17Jesus looked at them and said, 'Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
18Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.'
19The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them — they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
20Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 21Teacher,' they said, 'we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22Now tell us — is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'
23He saw through their trickery and said,
24Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?' 'Caesar’s,' they replied.
25Well then,' he said, 'give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.'
26So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.
27Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees — religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. 28They posed this question: 'Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. 29Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. 30So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. 31Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. 32Finally, the woman also died. 33So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!'
34Jesus replied, 'Marriage is for people here on earth. 35But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.
37But now, as to whether the dead will be raised — even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.'
39Well said, Teacher!' remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. 40And then no one dared to ask him any more questions.
41Then Jesus presented them with a question. 'Why is it,' he asked, 'that the Messiah is said to be the son of David?
42For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 43until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’
44Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?'
45Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.'
King James Version

1And 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: 4The 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.
9Then 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. 10And 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. 11And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13Then 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. 14But 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. 15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16He 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? 18Whosoever 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.
20And 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? 24Shew 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.
27Then 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: 35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37Now 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. 38For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
39Then 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? 42And 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 thy footstool. 44David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? 45Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46Beware 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; 47Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

What does Luke chapter 20 mean?

In Luke's account, Jesus has spent the last several chapters teaching the disciples about the kingdom of God (Luke 9:51—19:27). Then He entered Jerusalem like a king (Luke 19:28–40). At that time, He also lamented that His people will not accept Him (Luke 19:40–44). Jesus cleared the Court of the Gentiles so devout non-Jews who had come for the Passover could worship God at the temple, and He taught at the temple daily (Luke 19:45–48).

In this passage, Luke describes how Jerusalem's religious leaders fight with Jesus over His authority. Among these critics are scribes, priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees. The chapter has a subtle chiastic structure, meaning its themes are mirrored around a midpoint:
A. The religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority (Luke 20:1–8).
B. Jesus uses a parable to compare His authority to that of the religious leaders (Luke 20:9–18).
C. The scribes and chief priests use the Law to try to discredit Jesus (Luke 20:19–26).
C' The Sadducees use the Law to try to discredit Jesus (Luke 20:27–40).
B' Jesus uses Scripture to compare His authority to that of the King David (Luke 20:41–44).
A' Jesus challenges the religious leaders' authority (Luke 20:45–47).
A: A group of chief priests, elders, and scribes challenge Jesus' authority to alter their traditional religious practices. Jesus had cast merchants and money changers out from the temple courtyard (Luke 19:45–46). The chief priests and elders, who likely benefited from those merchants, bring lawyers to challenge Jesus' authority to do so. Jesus turns the challenge around; John the Baptist told them where His authority comes from; do they believe John? If they say yes, they validate Jesus. If they say no, the crowd, who still thinks John is a prophet, will stone them. Rather than having courage in their convictions, the religious leaders claim they don't know. Since they're insincere, Jesus has no reason to give them an answer (Luke 20:1–8).

B: Jesus compares His authority as the Son of God to the authority of the religious leaders. The message of the parable of the wicked tenants is clear. God gave religious leaders the authority to lead His people in worship to Him. When they failed, He sent prophets to get them back on track. But they beat and killed the prophets. Now, God sends His Son. They will kill Him, too. So, God will remove their authority, destroy them, and replace them with better leaders. Jesus' audience knows He is claiming to be the Son of God (Luke 20:9–18).

C: The scribes and chief priests challenge Jesus' authority to teach the Mosaic law. They plant spies to ask loaded questions, hoping to catch Jesus in a mistake. One of the spies asks Jesus whether Jews should pay the Roman tax. If Jesus says yes, He will seem to support the Romans over the Jews. If He says no, the Romans can arrest Him for insurrection. Jesus deftly points out that they need to pay Caesar what is due him, but they also need to give God what is due Him (Luke 20:19–26).

C': Sadducees use the Mosaic law to challenge Jesus' authority to teach doctrine. The Sadducee sect held to only the first five books of the Old Testament. They also rejected the idea of resurrection of the dead. Attempting to trip up Jesus, they present a puzzle about death and marriage. Jesus responds by saying there is no marriage in death, so their hypothetical situation doesn't apply. He then uses verb tenses in the Old Testament to show that the patriarchs still exist—they are still "alive"—and God is still their God. With that, the leaders stop challenging Him (Luke 20:27–40).

B': Jesus compares His authority as the Christ to the authority of Israel's kings, using a psalm of David. Again, the religious leaders know He's talking about Himself. In Psalm 110, David seems to speak of both God and someone who ranks above David but not above God; who is this mystery person? How can David call someone both his Lord and his son? Jesus uses this reference to show that there's nothing irrational about the concept of God's "Son" being associated with the Messiah. (Luke 20:41–44).

A': Jesus again challenges the authority of Jerusalem's scribes: experts in Old Testament law. They are vain, proud, and corrupt. They will be seriously judged. The people should beware of them (Luke 20:45–47).

The religious leaders' challenges have one purpose: to try to "catch [Jesus] in something he might say" (Luke 11:54). They hope for one of several outcomes. Perhaps they can justify arresting Jesus for breaking the Mosaic law. Or they might trick Him into breaking Roman law. At the very least, they want to humiliate Him in front of the crowds. They learn this is impossible (Luke 20:26). In the end, these enemies resort to false testimony and extortion to destroy Jesus (Mark 14:55–59; John 19:12).

The next chapter begins with a foil for the religious leaders: a faithful, poor, honorable widow (Luke 21:1–4). Then Jesus prepares His disciples for the future, both the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the end times. Luke chapter 22 covers the Last Supper, Jesus' arrest, and the first of His trials. Luke chapter 23 completes the trials—including one before Herod Antipas—and describes the crucifixion. In Luke chapter 24, the risen Christ stuns the disciples and ascends to heaven.
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