In | Hostile Q and A in the Temple Courts

The ministry of a prophet included miracles of compassion, even for outsiders, but hard words of judgment for those in political power. Jesus lived out this prophetic role by challenging Jerusalem’s religious rulers. Their responses were predictable. 

The outer temple courts were a place where Jewish religious leaders were likely to encounter popular teachers like Jesus. Over the course of Luke 20 a number of challenges are made to Jesus’ authority and in each case, He calmly disarms questions meant to entrap Him. The opening exchange is outlined below.

Chief priests, scribes and elders:
“Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority?” 
Luke 20:2 (ESV)

Jesus:
“I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”
Luke 20:3-4 (ESV)

Chief priests, scribes and elders:
They answered that they did not know where it came from. 
Luke 20:7 (ESV)

Jesus:
“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Luke 20:8 (ESV)

Later the Sadducees try to bring Him into conflict with civil authority by asking Him about taxes to Caesar. Jesus again deftly handles what is meant to be a trap.

Paying Taxes to Caesar (20:20-26)

Sadducees:
“Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”
Luke 20:22 (ESV)

Jesus:
“Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”
Luke 20:24 (ESV)

Sadducees:
”Caesar’s” 
Luke 20:24 (ESV)

Jesus:
“Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 
Luke 20:25 (ESV)

After this exchange Luke tells us, “And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent” (Luke 20:26, ESV). After his response to more questions on marriage in the afterlife, some of the teachers of the law responded, “’Teacher, you have spoken well.’ For they no longer dared to ask him any question” (27:39, ESV). But Jesus took their silence as an opportunity to ask a question of his own.

David and the Messiah (20:41-44)

Jesus:
“How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? … David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
Luke 20:41, 44 (ESV)

Teachers of the law:

[no reply] 

To this last question, those who came to interrogate Jesus make no reply. After fielding a series of challenges to His authority Jesus holds the floor. By beating the religious hierarchy at their own game Jesus has demonstrated His authority to His audience rather than simply telling them about it.