201 And it came to pass, on one of those days, as he is teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came upon 'him', 2 and spake unto him, saying, 'Tell us by what authority thou dost these things? or who is he that gave to thee this authority?' 3 And he answering said unto them, 'I will question you—I also—one thing, and tell me: 4 the baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?' 5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying—'If we may say, From heaven, he will say, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him? 6 and if we may say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet.' 7 And they answered, that they knew not whence 'it was', 8 and Jesus said to them, 'Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.'
9 And he began to speak unto the people this simile: 'A certain man planted a vineyard, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time, 10 and at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that from the fruit of the vineyard they may give to him, but the husbandmen having beat him, did send 'him' away empty. 11 'And he added to send another servant, and they that one also having beaten and dishonoured, did send away empty; 12 and he added to send a third, and this one also, having wounded, they did cast out. 13 'And the owner of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my son—the beloved, perhaps having seen this one, they will do reverence; 14 and having seen him, the husbandmen reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir; come, we may kill him, that the inheritance may become ours; 15 and having cast him outside of the vineyard, they killed 'him'; what, then, shall the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come, and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others.' And having heard, they said, 'Let it not be!' 17 and he, having looked upon them, said, 'What, then, is this that hath been written: A stone that the builders rejected—this became head of a corner? 18 every one who hath fallen on that stone shall be broken, and on whom it may fall, it will crush him to pieces.'
19 And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him in that hour, and they feared the people, for they knew that against them he spake this simile.
20 And, having watched 'him', they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor, 21 and they questioned him, saying, 'Teacher, we have known that thou dost say and teach rightly, and dost not accept a person, but in truth the way of God dost teach; 22 Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?' 23 And he, having perceived their craftiness, said unto them, 'Why me do ye tempt? 24 shew me a denary; of whom hath it an image and superscription?' and they answering said, 'Of Caesar:' 25 and he said to them, 'Give back, therefore, the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;' 26 and they were not able to take hold on his saying before the people, and having wondered at his answer, they were silent.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 20:1-26
Commentary on Luke 20:1-8
(Read Luke 20:1-8)
Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give account of his authority, to those who knew the baptism of John to be from heaven, yet would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge.
Commentary on Luke 20:9-19
(Read Luke 20:9-19)
Christ spake this parable against those who resolved not to own his authority, though the evidence of it was so full. How many resemble the Jews who murdered the prophets and crucified Christ, in their enmity to God, and aversion to his service, desiring to live according to their lusts, without control! Let all who are favoured with God's word, look to it that they make proper use of their advantages. Awful will be the doom, both of those who reject the Son, and of those who profess to reverence Him, yet render not the fruits in due season. Though they could not but own that for such a sin, such a punishment was just, yet they could not bear to hear of it. It is the folly of sinners, that they persevere in sinful ways, though they dread the destruction at the end of those ways.
Commentary on Luke 20:20-26
(Read Luke 20:20-26)
Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and will teach our duty to God, to our rulers, and to all men, so clearly, that opposers will have no evil to say of us.