Luke 20

Luk 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,
Luk 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
Luk 20:3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
Luk 20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
Luk 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
Luk 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

These were men who were afraid just to speak out what they believed. It is like some modern day politicians who first try to discern what the crowd wants to hear before they speak. How many of us have the courage to answer truthfully no matter who is offended?

Luk 20:7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
Luk 20:8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Jesus' action spoke for Him. One who watched His ministry would know what authority He was under. Even today we may not always know by a person's words, what kind of person they are but if we watch the fruits of what they produce, we can better judge whether or not their words are true.

Luk 20:9 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.
Luk 20:10 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.
Luk 20:11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
Luk 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
Luk 20:13 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.
Luk 20:14 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.
Luk 20:15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
Luk 20:16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

Before Christ others were sent. Prophets were sent to warn the people that they had sinned. The prophets were persecuted and some killed.

The people who lived in that time of Christ, saw the miracles, heard His words and was visited by the Son of God. They rejected Him and the vineyard was given to Gentiles who gladly received Him.

This is why the nation of Israel ceased to exist for a time and why the Jewish people have suffered so much. It is a result for their own actions. This is no excuse for any to harm or be part of persecuting Israel or the Jewish people for God still has not forsaken them and God will punish those that harm them. Israel was cut off temporarily but they will in the latter days have a part in bible prophecy and will be grafted back into the vine they were cut off from.

Read Romans chapter 11 for further study on the olive tree of Israel.

Luk 20:17 And 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?

The very one they rejected here will be the very head of all. He will reign supreme. He will the ruler of all the earth. He will judge righteously. He will return at the appointed time. He will be all in all.

Luk 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Luk 20:19 And 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.
Luk 20:20 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.

They had Jesus followed so that someone might catch Him saying the wrong things or making a mistake. There are people that do that today and it is a crying shame. Even in politics. Reporters will sometimes flock around a presidential candidate to catch them at their words. Rarely do they listen to what anyone says to be enlightened but only to find a loop hole to cast the speaker in a bad light. Preachers are sometimes heard for the wrong reasons also.

This has worked for good at times. I remember hearing stories of people who read the bible just so they could find fault with it and try to prove it was not the word of God. Yet in doing so someone comes out believing and finding the Lord as their savior.

Luk 20:21 And 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:

Be very careful when someone starts out with a compliment when they begin to question something.

Luk 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
Luk 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
Luk 20:24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
Luk 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
Luk 20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Jesus knew their hearts and how to answer them. They hoped to catch Him at His words and be able to accuse Him of rebellion against the government of Caesar.

Luk 20:27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
Luk 20:28 Saying, 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.
Luk 20:29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
Luk 20:30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
Luk 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
Luk 20:32 Last of all the woman died also.
Luk 20:33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
Luk 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
Luk 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Life as we know it now will not be the same after the resurrection. Notice that Jesus spoke here of being worthy. He that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and resurrection from the dead. We have to be worthy to enter the future kingdom. Since we know that there is nothing we can do by ourselves to earn salvation, it has to be repenting of sin and accepting God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ that makes us worthy to enter into eternal life. After receiving Christ, it is important that we keep what we originally received and not fall away from our first love.  Read about the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 for further reference. 

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Luk 20:36 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.

Notice that humans do not turn into angels but are made equal to them in status. We inherit a new body and different yet equal to angels. Angels have never been flesh, never been redeemed and are different.

Luk 20:37 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.
Luk 20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

What a comfort to know that Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still living. Praise the Lord.

Luk 20:39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
Luk 20:40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
Luk 20:41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
Luk 20:42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Luk 20:43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Luk 20:44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
Luk 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

Jesus was indeed the son of David by being descended from David to fulfill prophecy. God promised David that an everlasting king would sit on his throne.

Psa 132:11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luk 20:46 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;
Luk 20:47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

You shall know them by their fruits. We must be careful not to follow after those that claim to be big in the sight of God but their works are not works of compassion but they are quick to fleece the flock of God.

How do we treat the widows who have little to give if anything? We should be giving to them instead of fleecing them. We should be trying to help the poor not always just take their offerings. 
 

Luke 21