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The Authority of Jesus Questioned

20 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders(A) and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?”(B) He answered them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” They discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”(C) So they answered that they did not know where it came from. Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants and went away for a long time.(D) 10 When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard, but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. 12 And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Heaven forbid!”(E) 17 But he looked at them and said, “What then does this text mean:

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone’?[a](F)

18 “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”(G) 19 When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.(H)

The Question about Paying Tribute

20 So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said and then to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.(I) 22 Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”(J) 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said, and being amazed by his answer they became silent.

The Question about the Resurrection

27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him(K) 28 and asked him a question: “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, the man[b] shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.(L) 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman and died childless; 30 then the second[c] 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.”

34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed, they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.(M) 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.(N) 38 Now he is God not of the dead but of the living, for to him all of them are alive.”(O) 39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him another question.(P)

The Question about David’s Son

41 Then he said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah[d] is David’s son? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand(Q)
43     until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’

44 “David thus calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?”

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

45 In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and who love respectful greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets.(R) 47 They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Footnotes

  1. 20.17 Or keystone (in an arch)
  2. 20.28 Gk his brother
  3. 20.30 Other ancient authorities add married the woman, and this one died childless,
  4. 20.41 Or the Christ

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

20 One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

“Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.” So they finally replied that they didn’t know.

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Parable of the Evil Farmers

Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. 10 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. 11 So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.

13 “‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’

14 “But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 15 So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.

“What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked. 16 “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”

“How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,” his listeners protested.

17 Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.’[a]

18 Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

19 The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

Taxes for Caesar

20 Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 21 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22 Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their trickery and said, 24 “Show me a Roman coin.[b] Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

26 So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

Discussion about Resurrection

27 Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. 28 They posed this question: “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.[c] 29 Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. 30 So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. 31 Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. 32 Finally, the woman also died. 33 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!”

34 Jesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. 35 But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36 And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.

37 “But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord[d] as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[e] 38 So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

39 “Well said, Teacher!” remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. 40 And then no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

41 Then Jesus presented them with a question. “Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David? 42 For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
    Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
43 until I humble your enemies,
    making them a footstool under your feet.’[f]

44 Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”

Footnotes

  1. 20:17 Ps 118:22.
  2. 20:24 Greek a denarius.
  3. 20:28 See Deut 25:5-6.
  4. 20:37a Greek when he wrote about the bush. He referred to the Lord.
  5. 20:37b Exod 3:6.
  6. 20:42-43 Ps 110:1.

20 · kai One heis · ho day hēmera, as Jesus autos was teaching didaskō the ho people laos in en the ho temple hieron and kai preaching euangelizō the gospel , the ho chief archiereus priests and kai the ho scribes grammateus, along with syn the ho elders presbyteros, came up ephistēmi and kai spoke legō to pros him autos, saying legō, “ Tell legō us hēmeis by en what poios authority exousia you are doing poieō these houtos things ; or ē who tis it is eimi who ho gave didōmi you sy · ho this houtos authority exousia?” He answered apokrinomai, · de saying legō to pros them autos, “ I kagō will also kagō ask erōtaō you hymeis a question logos, and kai you must give legō me egō the answer : The ho baptism baptisma of John Iōannēs, was it eimi authorized from ek heaven ouranos or ē did it come from ek men anthrōpos?” They ho · de reasoned syllogizomai among pros themselves heautou, saying legō, “ If ean we say legō, ‘ From ek heaven ouranos,’ then he will say legō, ‘ Why dia tis did you not ou believe pisteuō him autos?’ But de if ean we say legō, ‘ From ek men anthrōpos,’ all hapas the ho people laos will stone katalithazō us hēmeis to death , because gar they are eimi convinced peithō that John Iōannēs was eimi a prophet prophētēs.” So kai they replied apokrinomai that they did not know oida where pothen it was from . Then kai · ho Jesus Iēsous said legō to them autos, “ Neither oude will I egō tell legō you hymeis by en what poios authority exousia I do poieō these houtos things .”

Then de he began archō to tell legō the ho people laos · ho this houtos parable parabolē: “A man anthrōpos planted phyteuō a vineyard ampelōn and kai leased ekdidōmi it autos to tenants geōrgos; then kai he went apodēmeō away for quite some hikanos time chronos. 10 · kai When the season kairos came, he sent apostellō a servant to pros the ho tenants geōrgos so hina that they might give didōmi him autos his share of apo the ho produce karpos of the ho vineyard ampelōn; but de the ho tenants geōrgos beat derō him and sent exapostellō him autos away empty-handed kenos. 11 So kai he sent another prostithēmi servant; but de they ho beat derō that kakeinos one as kai well , treated atimazō him shamefully , and sent exapostellō him away empty-handed kenos. 12 So kai he sent a third prostithēmi; but de they ho wounded traumatizō this one houtos too kai, and threw ekballō him out . 13 Then de the ho owner kyrios of the ho vineyard ampelōn said legō, ‘ What tis shall I do poieō? I will send pempō · ho my egō son hyios, whom ho I love agapētos; perhaps isōs they will respect entrepō him houtos.’ 14 When the ho tenants geōrgos saw · de him autos, they reasoned dialogizomai among pros themselves allēlōn, saying legō, ‘ This houtos is eimi the ho heir klēronomos. Let us kill apokteinō him autos, so hina that the ho inheritance klēronomia may be ginomai ours hēmeis.’ 15 And kai they threw ekballō him autos out exō of the ho vineyard ampelōn and killed apokteinō him. What tis then oun will the ho owner kyrios of the ho vineyard ampelōn do poieō to them autos? 16 He will come erchomai and kai destroy apollymi · ho those houtos tenants geōrgos and kai give didōmi the ho vineyard ampelōn to others allos.” When they heard akouō · de this, they said legō, “ Surely not !” 17 But de looking straight at emblepō them autos he ho said legō, “ What tis then oun is eimi this houtos that ho is written graphō: “The stone lithos that hos the ho builders oikodomeō rejected apodokimazō this houtos one became ginomai eis the head kephalē of the corner gōnia’? 18 Everyone pas who ho falls piptō on epi that ekeinos · ho stone lithos will be broken synthlaō into pieces , and de on epi whomever hos it falls piptō, it will crush likmaō him autos.”

19 · kai The ho scribes grammateus and kai the ho chief archiereus priests tried zēteō to lay epiballō hands cheir on epi him autos · ho at en that autos very · ho hour hōra, for gar they perceived ginōskō that hoti he had spoken legō this houtos parable parabolē against pros them autos, but kai they feared phobeomai the ho people laos. · ho

20 So kai they watched paratēreō him closely and sent apostellō spies who heautou pretended hypokrinomai to be eimi righteous dikaios so hina they could catch epilambanomai him in his autos word logos, and in this way hōste deliver paradidōmi him autos to the ho jurisdiction archē and kai · ho authority exousia of the ho governor hēgemōn. 21 · kai They questioned eperōtaō him autos, saying legō, “ Teacher didaskalos, we know oida that hoti you speak legō and kai teach didaskō truthfully orthōs and kai show lambanō no ou partiality prosōpon, but alla truly epi alētheia teach didaskō the ho way hodos of ho God theos. 22 Is it lawful for us hēmeis to give didōmi tribute phoros to Caesar Kaisar, or ē not ou?” 23 But de he realized katanoeō their autos · ho duplicity panourgia, and said legō to pros them autos, 24  Show deiknymi me egō a denarius dēnarion. Whose tis image eikōn and kai inscription epigraphē does it have echō?” They ho · de said legō, “Caesar’ s Kaisar.” 25 He ho · de said legō to pros them autos, “Then give apodidōmi to Caesar Kaisar the ho things that are Caesar’ s Kaisar, and kai to ho God theos the ho things that are · ho God’ s theos.” 26 And kai they were unable ou to trap epilambanomai him autos in what he said rhēma in the presence enantion of the ho people laos, but kai, marveling thaumazō at epi · ho his autos answer apokrisis, they were reduced sigaō to silence .

27 Now de some tis · ho Sadducees Saddoukaios ( who ho deny legō there is eimi a resurrection anastasis) came up proserchomai and questioned eperōtaō him autos, 28 saying legō, “ Teacher didaskalos, Moses Mōysēs wrote graphō for us hēmeis that if ean someone’ s tis brother adelphos dies apothnēskō, having echō a wife gynē, but kai is eimi childless ateknos, then hina his autos brother adelphos must take lambanō · ho the ho widow gynē and kai raise exanistēmi up offspring sperma for ho his autos brother adelphos. 29 Now oun there were eimi seven hepta brothers adelphos. · kai The ho first prōtos, having taken lambanō a wife gynē, died apothnēskō childless ateknos. 30 Both kai the ho second deuteros 31 and kai the ho third tritos took lambanō her autos, and de likewise hōsautōs also kai the ho seven hepta: they left kataleipō no ou children teknon and kai died apothnēskō. 32 Later hysteros on the ho woman gynē also kai died apothnēskō. 33 So oun the ho woman gynē in en the ho resurrection anastasis of which tis of them autos will she be ginomai wife gynē? For gar all ho seven hepta had echō her autos as wife gynē.”

34 And kai Jesus Iēsous said legō to them autos, · ho The ho sons hyios of ho this houtos age aiōn marry gameō and kai are given gamiskō in marriage , 35 but de those ho who are considered kataxioō worthy to attain tynchanō to · ho that ekeinos age aiōn and kai to the ho resurrection anastasis · ho from ek the dead nekros neither oute marry gameō nor oute are given gamizō in marriage . 36 In fact gar, they can dynamai no oude longer eti die apothnēskō, since gar they are eimi like angels isangelos and kai are eimi sons hyios of God theos, being eimi sons hyios of the ho resurrection anastasis. 37 But de that hoti the ho dead nekros are raised egeirō, even kai Moses Mōysēs made known mēnyō, in the passage about epi the ho bush batos, for hōs he calls legō the Lord kyrios, ‘ the ho God theos of Abraham Abraam and kai the God theos of Isaac Isaak and kai the God theos of Jacob Iakōb.’ 38 He is eimi not ou God theos · de of the dead nekros, but alla of the living zaō! For gar to him autos they are all pas alive zaō.”

39 In response apokrinomai · de some tis of the ho scribes grammateus said legō, “ Teacher didaskalos, you have spoken legō well kalōs!” 40 For gar no ouketi longer did they dare tolmaō to question eperōtaō him autos about anything oudeis.

41 Then de he said legō to pros them autos, “ How pōs can they say legō that the ho Messiah Christos is to be eimi a son hyios of David Dauid? 42 For gar David Dauid himself autos says legō in en the book biblos of Psalms psalmos, ‘The Lord kyrios said legō to ho my egō Lord kyrios, “ Sit kathēmai at ek my egō right dexios hand , 43 until heōs an I make tithēmi · ho your sy enemies echthros a footstool hypopodion for ho your sy feet pous.”’ 44 David Dauid thus oun calls kaleō him autos Lord kyrios.’ So kai how pōs could he be eimi his autos son hyios?”

45 As all pas the ho people laos were listening akouō, · de he said legō to ho his autos disciples mathētēs, 46  Beware prosechō of apo those ho scribes grammateus, who ho like thelō to walk peripateō around in en flowing robes stolē, and kai love phileō greetings aspasmos in en the ho marketplaces agora and kai the most important seats prōtokathedria in en the ho synagogues synagōgē and kai the places of honor prōtoklisia at en · ho feasts deipnon, 47 who hos devour katesthiō the ho houses oikia of ho widows chēra and kai for the sake of appearance prophasis make lengthy makros prayers proseuchomai. These houtos will receive lambanō the greater perissoteros condemnation krima.”