Luke 20 Devotional: Witness Jesus’ authority challenged by religious leaders in the Temple. Explore the Parable of the Tenants, the question of taxes to Caesar, and the reality of the resurrection as Jesus reveals Himself as the Lord of David.
Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to Luke Chapter 20. We are now in the final days before the Cross. The atmosphere in Jerusalem is tense, and the religious leaders are looking for any reason to trap Jesus in His words. As we read today, notice how Jesus doesn't just win an argument—He reveals the heart of God’s truth. Let us listen closely to the One who speaks with an authority that heaven and earth must obey.
The Cornerstone and the Question of Authority
Luke 20 is a masterclass in divine wisdom. The chapter begins with the chief priests demanding to know by what authority Jesus acts. Jesus responds with the Parable of the Tenants, a sobering warning to those who reject God’s messengers and eventually His own Son. As the day continues, the leaders try to trap Him with questions about politics (taxes to Caesar) and theology (the resurrection). In every instance, Jesus pierces through their hypocrisy, culminating in His own question about the Messiah being both David’s son and David’s Lord.
What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see the Final Authority of Christ. As your Statement of Faith affirms, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God and fully man. When Jesus quotes Psalm 110 to show that the Messiah is David’s Lord, He is claiming His rightful place as Deity. We also see the certainty of the Resurrection . Jesus silences the Sadducees by reminding them that God is the God of the living, not the dead. This chapter reminds us that Jesus is the "Cornerstone"—the foundation upon which our entire life and faith must be built. To those who reject Him, He is a stone that causes stumbling, but to those who believe, He is our sure and eternal foundation.
20 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,
2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
3 And 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?
5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
8 And 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.
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?
18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
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.
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.
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:
22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
23 But 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.
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.
26 And 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,
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.
29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
32 Last of all the woman died also.
33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
34 And 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.
40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
41 And 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?
45 Then 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.
Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." As we enter into prayer, let us offer to God what truly belongs to Him: our hearts, our worship, and our full allegiance.
Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You for the wisdom and authority of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We believe that He is the Cornerstone of our salvation and the final authority for our lives. Thank You for the clarity of Your Word, which guides us through the difficult questions of this world and points us toward eternal life.
Lord, I ask that You would be the foundation of everything I do today. Forgive me for the times I have questioned Your authority or tried to trap You in my own "fine print" instead of simply obeying Your commands. Help me to live as a faithful citizen of this world while keeping my heart fully devoted to Your Kingdom. Strengthen my faith in the reality of the Resurrection; may the truth that You are the God of the living give me hope in the face of loss and courage in the face of uncertainty. Holy Spirit, guide me and teach me to honor Jesus as my Lord, just as David did.
We pray for our local church, that we would never reject the Cornerstone, but build everything we do upon the person and work of Christ. We lift up those who are confused by the conflicting authorities of this world; may they find the "Peace of God" by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus. We pray for a world that often tries to silence the Gospel; may Your Church continue to speak with the boldness and wisdom of Christ, showing everyone that there is salvation in no one else. Amen.
Jesus warned against the religious leaders who "devoured widows' houses" while making long prayers for show. Is there any area of your life where your outward religious "performance" is covering up a heart that isn't fully surrendered to God’s authority?
What is the meaning of the "Cornerstone" in verse 17? A cornerstone was the most important stone in a building, aligning and supporting the entire structure. Jesus is saying that while the religious leaders rejected Him, God has made Him the essential foundation of the Church and of salvation.
Why did the Sadducees not believe in the resurrection? The Sadducees only accepted the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch) as authoritative and claimed they did not find the resurrection taught there. Jesus corrected them by quoting from Exodus (the burning bush) to prove that God is currently the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
How can Jesus be both David’s Son and David’s Lord? This points to His two natures: as a human, He is a descendant (Son) of David; as God, He is the eternal Lord whom David worshipped. This aligns with our belief that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
Thank you for joining us for Luke 20. May you build your life on the Cornerstone today, standing firm in the wisdom of Christ. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the widow’s mite and the signs of the end times in Luke Chapter 21.
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