Luke 20:1–26 Jesus’ Authority: Give God What Belongs to God

September 22, 2026 

The Ten Signposts of the Bible

CAMDE—400—CALY

Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

We are in the final section of Luke, following Jesus to the cross. Our Savior knows that his days on earth are numbered, but he did not go into hiding. He entered Jerusalem as a triumphant king riding on the colt of a donkey. And each day he was at the temple “teaching the people…and preaching the gospel” (Luke 20:1). 

The leaders of the religious establishment had joined forces to eliminate what they saw as a troublemaker and a threat. On this day, the chief priests, scribes, and elders came to Jesus with a question: “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority?” (Luke 20:1). 

As Jesus often did, he replied with a question: “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” (Luke 20:3–4). His question created a dilemma for the religious leaders. If they admitted that John had been sent by God, Jesus could ask, “Why did you not believe in him?” (Luke 20:5). But if they refused to acknowledge John as a prophet, they feared the people, who were convinced that John was a prophet from God (Luke 20:6). So, “they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things’” (Luke 20:7–8). 

The religious authorities were proud and pompous, and they lorded it over the people. No doubt the crowds were glad to see them put in their place. However, Jesus had more to say, so he told them a parable to make his point. The story is about a man who planted a vineyard, rented it to tenants, and traveled to another country, where he stayed for a long time. 

Part of the agreement was that the vineyard owner would share in the produce. So, at the proper time, he sent a worker to collect some of the fruit, “but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed” (Luke 20:10). The owner sent another servant, who was beaten, and the tenants “treated him shamefully.” He, too, returned empty-handed. A third servant was wounded and rejected as well (Luke 20:12). 

The owner said: 

Luke 20:13–16

“What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, “This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.” And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?  He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 

The Pharisees and scribes knew this story was about them. They were the ones entrusted with tending God’s vineyard. Throughout Israel’s history, God had sent prophets to confront his people’s disobedience, but the leaders rejected his messengers. Now God had sent his Son, and they were plotting to kill him. The vineyard would be given to others—the Gentiles. When they heard this, they said, “‘Surely not!’ But [Jesus] looked directly at them and said, ‘What then is this that is written: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?’” (Luke 20:17). 

This quotation from Psalm 118 points to the Messiah. The stone the religious leaders rejected—Jesus himself—would become the cornerstone of the church. For many Jews, Jesus and his death were a stumbling block, and rejecting him leads to judgment, while accepting him brings peace and eternal security.

The chief priests and scribes “sought to lay hands on [Jesus] at that very hour…but they feared the people” (Luke 20:19). So they 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” (Luke 20:20). These spies began their interaction with false flattery, saying, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” (Luke 20:21–22). 

Jesus “perceived their craftiness” and said to them, “‘Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?’ They replied, ‘Caesar’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s’” (Luke 20:24–25). 

Jesus taught that we should pay the taxes we owe while giving God our full worship, allegiance, and honor. His words invite us to examine whether our priorities reflect that obedience. 

More challenges would come. But on this day, the spies “were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent” (Luke 20:26). 

Read and reflect on Luke 20:1–26: Jesus’ authority was challenged because the religious leaders did not want to submit to him. Where are you tempted to question, limit, or resist Jesus’ authority in your own life?

Talking to God: What would it look like to submit to God’s authority every day?

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