Explanation: In Luke 20 the Jewish rulers challenged his authority as he was teaching in the Temple. Jesus countered by asking them where John got his authority. This put them in a dilemma. If they said that John's authority was from God, Jesus would ask them why they did not obey him. If they said that John's authority was not from God, the people would stone them. They said they could not answer; and Jesus therefore refused to answer (1-8).
      Instead, Jesus told them the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. In the parable, a vineyard owner leases his vineyard to tenants who humiliate, beat, and kill servants who come to collect proceeds for the owner. They also killed the owner's son, thinking that they could seize the inheritance. But Jesus said that the owner would destroy the wicked tenants when he returned. His hearers were horrified by the implications of the parable, thinking that such things could never happen. But Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." The point of the quote was that God accepted the thing which man rejected; and instead he gave him (Christ) first place. As in the parable, so in the Scripture quoted, God would have his way; man would not. The rulers who were against Christ would be crushed (9-18).
     The leaders then sent spies to try to trap him in his words. In an effort to get Jesus to speak against Caesar, or God,told Jesus or both, they asked him if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar. Jesus answered that they had obligations to both (19-26).
     In an effort to make Jesus' teaching look foolish, the Sadducees told a story about a woman who had seven husbands, each of whom died without having children by her. They asked him whose wife she would be in the resurrection. Jesus pointed out that they reasoned on the wrong premise. In the resurrection people become like angels who never die and do not marry. Moreover, he quoted Exodus 3:6 in which God calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is the God of the living, not of the dead. In other words, God is not a God of those who do not exist; therefore, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob must be alive in the presence of God, "for all live unto him." This answer amazed and silenced his critics (27-40).
     Jesus then presented them with a question from Scripture which they could not answer. He quoted Psalm 110:1 which contained a reference to Christ, the Messiah: "The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' " Jesus asked how the Messiah, who was David's son, could also be his Lord. This, of course, was by the incarnation of the Second Person of the Trinity, into the line of David (41-44).
     Jesus then warned all who were listening to beware of the scribes who loved to be admired but devoured the houses of widows. He said that they would receive a greater condemnation (45-47).

     [Sermons: Eric Alexander. John Stott. John Macarthur. Various. ]

     [Illustration: Today's painting depicts Jesus teaching in the Temple as the Jewish leaders look on, an incident which occurs at the beginning of today's chapter. ]

     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.

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