Knowing The Word in Luke 20:1-8

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

20:1 One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Comments

Jesus’ enemies, the leaders of the people—the social, political, and academic elite who comprised the Sanhedrin—approached him in the temple. There was intense irony in this official inquiry, probably in response to his cleansing of the temple days before, that God’s authorized delegates, whom he should be questioning were questioning him! They were not concerned with the facts but with appearances and the consequences of appearance. They had an entrapping question on authority for Jesus. Jesus knew he had authority. That was not in question, but he would not answer to men who could not even answer a simple question with honesty. Instead, he backed them into a corner by asking them a question about John the Baptist, who had been a very popular figure among the people. They had never accepted John’s baptism, so they cannot possibly say now that it came from heaven, and if they said from man, the people would rebel.

Application

Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. Old Testament prophecies talk about bad shepherds, those whom God appointed to take care of his flock, his people. In these leaders we find the true, ungodly shepherds who will bring death and destruction, not only to Jesus, but to their city and its people.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, assist me today in following my Good Shepherd, walking in his ways.