Luk 20:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 20:1-47: 20:1-47 In this series of controversies between Jesus and the religious leaders of Jerusalem, they repeatedly questioned and challenged him, and he repeatedly outmatched them with his spiritual wisdom, insight, and authority. 20:1 the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders: The most influential Jewish leaders in Jerusalem converged against Jesus, who threatened their authority.

a20:1-47►

b20:1►

c20:2►

d20:4-6►

e20:5-6►

f20:6►

gLev 24:14-15►

hLev 20:2►

iDeut 13:10►

j20:7-8►

‏ Luke 20:1-8

Summary for Luke 20:1-47: 20:1-47 ^a In this series of controversies between Jesus and the religious leaders of Jerusalem, they repeatedly questioned and challenged him, and he repeatedly outmatched them with his spiritual wisdom, insight, and authority. 20:1 ^b the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders: The most influential Jewish leaders in Jerusalem converged against Jesus, who threatened their authority.
20:2 ^c By what authority are you doing all these things? Since these groups were the recognized Jewish authorities in Jerusalem, they wanted to know how Jesus could claim authority to enter Jerusalem as a king and drive the merchants from the Temple.
Summary for Luke 20:4-6: 20:4-6 ^d Jesus’ question put the religious leaders in a double bind (see 20:5-6 ^e), as either answer would indict them.
20:6 ^f the people will stone us: Stoning was the penalty for blasphemy (Lev 24:14-15 ^g), idolatry (Lev 20:2 ^h; Deut 13:10 ⁱ), and other sins of defiance against God. The people might have regarded rejection of an authentic prophet as blasphemy deserving of stoning.
Summary for Luke 20:7-8: 20:7-8 ^j The Jewish authorities refused to answer Jesus’ question, so Jesus had no obligation to answer their question. Both their question and their refusal were guided by self-interest rather than integrity.