Bible Commentaries
Luke 20

Verse 1

20:1 And {1} it came to pass, [that] 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,

(1) The Pharisees, being overcome with the truth of Christ’s doctrine, propose a question about his outward calling, and are overcome by the witness of their own conscience.

Verse 9

20:9 {2} Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

(2) It is nothing new for those who are knowledgable of the very sanctuary of God’s holy place to be the greatest enemies of Christ, but in due time they will be punished.

Verse 20

20:20 {3} And they {a} watched [him], and sent forth {b} spies, which should feign themselves just men, {c} that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and {d} authority of the governor.

(3) The last refuge the false prophets have to destroy the true prophets is to charge them with rebellion and treason against the state.

(a) An appropriate time to take him in.

(b) Whom they had hired deceitfully.

(c) That they might latch on to something he said, and by this forge some false accusation against him.

(d) Put him to death.

Verse 21

20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the {e} person [of any], but teachest the way of God truly:

(e) You are not moved by favour of any man: and by "person" he means outward circumstances, for if a man judges according to these, there will be those who are truly alike whom he will judge to be different.

Verse 23

20:23 But he perceived their {f} craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

(f) Craftiness is a certain diligence and subtle knowledge to do evil, which is achieved by much use and great practise in matters.

Verse 27

20:27 {4} Then came to [him] certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

(4) The resurrection of the flesh is affirmed against the Sadducees.

Verse 34

20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The {g} children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

(g) "The children of this world" refers here to those who live in this world, and not those that are wholly given to the world (and therefore contrary to the children of light), as above in Lu 16:8 .

Verse 36

20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the {h} children of the resurrection.

(h) That is, men who partake in the resurrection: for as we truly say that they will indeed live who will enjoy everlasting bliss, so do those indeed rise who rise to life; though if this word "resurrection" is taken generally, it refers also to the wicked, who will rise to condemnation, which is not properly life, but death.

Verse 38

20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all {i} live unto him.

(i) That is, before him: a saying to take note of, for the godly do not die, though they die here on earth.

Verse 41

20:41 {5} And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?

(5) Even though Christ is the son of David according to the flesh he is also his Lord (because he is the everlasting Son of God) according to the spirit.

Verse 46

20:46 {6} Beware 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;

(6) We must avoid the example of the glory-seeking and covetous pastors.

Verse 47

20:47 Which devour widows’ {k} houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

(k) By the figure of speech metonymy, "houses" is understood to mean the goods and substance.