📖 Luke — Chapter 20 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Luke 20:1 And it came to pass, Rthat 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,
Luke 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, RTell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
Luke 20:3 And he answered and said unto them, RI will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
Luke 20:4 The Rbaptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
Luke 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, RWhy then believed ye him not?
Luke 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; Rall the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
Luke 20:7 And they answered, Rthat they could not tell whence it was.
Luke 20:8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Luke 20:9 Then began he to speak to the people Rthis parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
Luke 20:10 And at Rthe 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.
Luke 20:11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and Rentreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
Luke 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
Luke 20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, RWhat shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
Luke 20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they Rreasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
Luke 20:15 So Rthey cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
Luke 20:16 He shall come and Rdestroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
Luke 20:17 And he Rbeheld 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?
Luke 20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Luke 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes Rthe same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
Luke 20:20 And Rthey 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.
Luke 20:21 And they asked him, saying, RMaster, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
Luke 20:22 RIs it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
Luke 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, RWhy tempt ye me?
Luke 20:24 Shew me Ra penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s.
Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, RRender therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
Luke 20:26 And Rthey could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Luke 20:27 Then came to him certain of Rthe Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
Luke 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.
Luke 20:29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, Rand died without children.
Luke 20:30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
Luke 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
Luke 20:32 Last of all the woman Rdied also.
Luke 20:33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, RThe children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
Luke 20:35 But they which shall be Raccounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Luke 20:36 Neither Rcan they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Luke 20:37 Now that the dead are raised, Reven Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
Luke 20:38 For he is not Ra God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
Luke 20:39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, Rthou hast well said.
Luke 20:40 RAnd after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
Luke 20:41 And he said unto them, RHow say they that Christ is David’s son?
Luke 20:42 And David Rhimself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Luke 20:43 RTill I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Luke 20:44 David therefore calleth him Lord, Rhow is he then his son?
Luke 20:45 RThen in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
Luke 20:46 RBeware 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;
Luke 20:47 Which Rdevour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 20:1–19 — Authority and the rejected son confront the leaders
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The leaders challenge Jesus, whose question about John exposes their evasiveness. The vineyard husbandmen reject servants and kill the beloved son; the rejected stone and judgment sayings show the seriousness of rejecting him.
Key Truth: Receive the Son and handle entrusted responsibility faithfully.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And it ____ to pass, that on one of those days, as he …” (Luke 20:1)
Find it in Luke 20:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And again he sent another ____ : and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, …” (Luke 20:11)
Find it in Luke 20:11 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay …” (Luke 20:19)
Find it in Luke 20:19 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 20:20–40 — Questions about tribute and resurrection expose inadequate assumptions
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus answers a tax trap with God’s claim alongside Caesar’s dues. The Sadducees’ marriage puzzle is answered through resurrection life and the word concerning the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Key Truth: Read Scripture with attention to God’s authority and power.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And they could not take hold of his ____ before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and …” (Luke 20:26)
Find it in Luke 20:26 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ took her to wife, and he died childless.” (Luke 20:30)
Find it in Luke 20:30 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And after that they ____ not ask him any question at all.” (Luke 20:40)
Find it in Luke 20:40 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 20:41–47 — David’s Lord and exploitative religious display are addressed
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus asks how the Christ is David’s son when David calls him Lord. He then warns against scribes who pursue honors and devour widows’ houses while making long prayers for appearance.
Key Truth: Do not use religious standing to gain honor or exploit the vulnerable.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his ____ ?” (Luke 20:44)
Find it in Luke 20:44 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… he said unto them, How say they that Christ is ____ ’s son?” (Luke 20:41)
Find it in Luke 20:41 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Which ____ widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the …” (Luke 20:47)
Find it in Luke 20:47 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 110:1 — Jesus cites David’s words concerning his Lord when asking about the Christ.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where should honest obedience replace evasive reasoning or concern for public honor?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Luke 20:1–19 (Authority and the rejected son confront the leaders) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Luke 20:20–40 (Questions about tribute and resurrection expose inadequate assumptions) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Luke 20:41–47 (David’s Lord and exploitative religious display are addressed) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How does Jesus avoid the false choice in the tribute question?
5. What does Jesus' description of God support in the resurrection discussion?
Notes
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