The Authority of Jesus Challenged

20 (A)One day, (B)as Jesus[a] was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, (C)the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us (D)by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John (E)from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, (F)‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was (G)a prophet.” 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.”

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(H)And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted (I)a vineyard and (J)let it out to tenants and (K)went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant[b] to the tenants, so that (L)they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. (M)But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 (N)And (O)he sent another servant. But they also beat and (P)treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 (Q)And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my (R)beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, (S)‘This is the heir. (T)Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they (U)threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 (V)He will (W)come and destroy those tenants and (X)give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he (Y)looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

(Z)“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone’?[c]

18 (AA)Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls (AB)on anyone, it will crush him.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 (AC)The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 (AD)So they (AE)watched him and sent spies, who (AF)pretended to be sincere, that they might (AG)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of (AH)the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and (AI)show no partiality,[d] but truly teach (AJ)the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give (AK)tribute to (AL)Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their (AM)craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me (AN)a denarius.[e] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then (AO)render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people (AP)to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

27 There came to him (AQ)some Sadducees, (AR)those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us (AS)that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man[f] must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

34 And Jesus said to them, (AT)“The sons of this age (AU)marry and (AV)are given in marriage, 35 but those who are (AW)considered worthy to attain to (AX)that age and to the resurrection from the dead (AY)neither marry (AZ)nor are given in marriage, 36 for (BA)they cannot die anymore, because they are (BB)equal to angels and (BC)are (BD)sons of God, being (BE)sons[g] of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, (BF)even Moses showed, in (BG)the passage about the bush, where he calls (BH)the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all (BI)live to him.” 39 Then some of the scribes (BJ)answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For (BK)they no longer dared to ask him any question.

Whose Son Is the Christ?

41 (BL)But he said to them, “How can they say that (BM)the Christ is (BN)David's son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,

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

44 David thus calls him Lord, so (BQ)how is he his son?”

Beware of the Scribes

45 (BR)And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and (BS)the places of honor at feasts, 47 (BT)who devour widows' houses and (BU)for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow's Offering

21 (BV)Jesus[h] looked up and saw the rich (BW)putting their gifts into (BX)the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two (BY)small copper coins.[i] And he said, “Truly, I tell you, (BZ)this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her (CA)poverty put in all (CB)she had to live on.”

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

(CC)And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, (CD)the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, (CE)when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, (CF)“See that you are not led astray. For (CG)many will come in my name, saying, (CH)‘I am he!’ and, (CI)‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be (CJ)terrified, for these things (CK)must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”

Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution

10 Then he said to them, (CL)“Nation will rise against nation, and (CM)kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great (CN)earthquakes, and in various places (CO)famines and pestilences. And there will be (CP)terrors and great (CQ)signs from heaven. 12 But before all this (CR)they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to (CS)the synagogues and (CT)prisons, and you (CU)will be brought before (CV)kings and (CW)governors for my name's sake. 13 (CX)This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds (CY)not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for (CZ)I will give you a mouth and (DA)wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or (DB)contradict. 16 You will be delivered up (DC)even by parents and brothers[j] and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 (DD)You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But (DE)not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your (DF)endurance you will gain your lives.

Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem

20 “But (DG)when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that (DH)its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are (DI)days of (DJ)vengeance, to fulfill (DK)all that is written. 23 (DL)Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and (DM)wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and (DN)be led captive among all nations, and (DO)Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, (DP)until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “And (DQ)there will be signs in sun and moon (DR)and stars, and on the earth (DS)distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For (DT)the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see (DU)the Son of Man coming in a cloud (DV)with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and (DW)raise your heads, because (DX)your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see (DY)for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 (DZ)Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 (EA)Heaven and earth will pass away, but (EB)my words will not pass away.

Watch Yourselves

34 “But watch yourselves (EC)lest (ED)your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and (EE)cares of this life, and (EF)that day come upon you suddenly (EG)like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But (EH)stay awake at all times, (EI)praying that you may (EJ)have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and (EK)to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And (EL)every day he was teaching in the temple, but (EM)at night he went out and lodged on (EN)the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning (EO)all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 (EP)Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called (EQ)the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes (ER)were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Judas to Betray Jesus

(ES)Then (ET)Satan entered into (EU)Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and (EV)officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to (EW)betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

The Passover with the Disciples

(EX)Then came (EY)the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus[k] sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, (EZ)‘The Teacher says to you, Where is (FA)the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you (FB)a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it (FC)just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord's Supper

14 (FD)And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it[l] (FE)until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and (FF)when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 (FG)For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine (FH)until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 (FI)And he took bread, and (FJ)when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, (FK)“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, (FL)“This cup that is poured out for you is (FM)the new (FN)covenant in my blood.[m] 21 (FO)But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is (FP)with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes (FQ)as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Who Is the Greatest?

24 (FR)A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 (FS)And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles (FT)exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 (FU)But not so with you. Rather, let (FV)the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, (FW)one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But (FX)I am among you as the one who serves.

28 “You are those who have stayed with me (FY)in my trials, 29 and (FZ)I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 (GA)that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and (GB)sit on thrones judging (GC)the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, (GD)Satan demanded to have you,[n] (GE)that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but (GF)I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, (GG)strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter[o] said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both (GH)to prison and (GI)to death.” 34 (GJ)Jesus[p] said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus

35 And he said to them, (GK)“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that (GL)this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: (GM)‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For (GN)what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two (GO)swords.” And he said to them, (GP)“It is enough.”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 (GQ)And he came out and went, (GR)as was his custom, to (GS)the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 (GT)And when he came to (GU)the place, he said to them, (GV)“Pray that you may not (GW)enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and (GX)knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, (GY)“Father, if you are willing, remove (GZ)this cup from me. (HA)Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him (HB)an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And (HC)being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.[q] 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and (HD)pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 (HE)While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called (HF)Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike (HG)with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant[r] of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and (HH)officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When (HI)I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is (HJ)your hour, and (HK)the power of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 (HL)Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, (HM)and Peter was following at a distance. 55 (HN)And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of (HO)the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another (HP)insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and (HQ)looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, (HR)“Before the rooster crows today, you will (HS)deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus Is Mocked

63 (HT)Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 (HU)They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, (HV)“Prophesy! (HW)Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, (HX)blaspheming him.

Jesus Before the Council

66 (HY)When day came, (HZ)the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their (IA)council, and they (IB)said, 67 (IC)“If you are (ID)the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated (IE)at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you (IF)the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, (IG)“You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:1 Greek he
  2. Luke 20:10 Or bondservant; also verse 11
  3. Luke 20:17 Greek the head of the corner
  4. Luke 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
  5. Luke 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
  6. Luke 20:28 Greek his brother
  7. Luke 20:36 Greek huioi; see Preface
  8. Luke 21:1 Greek He
  9. Luke 21:2 Greek two lepta; a lepton was a Jewish bronze or copper coin worth about 1/128 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
  10. Luke 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters
  11. Luke 22:8 Greek he
  12. Luke 22:16 Some manuscripts never eat it again
  13. Luke 22:20 Some manuscripts omit, in whole or in part, verses 19b-20 (which is given… in my blood)
  14. Luke 22:31 The Greek word for you (twice in this verse) is plural; in verse 32, all four instances are singular
  15. Luke 22:33 Greek He
  16. Luke 22:34 Greek He
  17. Luke 22:44 Some manuscripts omit verses 43 and 44
  18. Luke 22:50 Or bondservant

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