The Gospel of Luke
The Authority of Jesus: Lk 20,1-19
By what authority? 20,1-8
In 20,1, Luke has added that Jesus is proclaiming good news. At the beginning of his teaching in the Temple, there is continuity with his early teaching in the synagogue (4,18).
Those who come on scene are those who would be associated with the Temple: priests, scribes, elders. Pharisees would not be associated with the Temple; they last appeared in 17,20.
As we have seen the people accept the authority of Jesus whereas the leaders do not (assuming at least some malice behind the question).
Jesus' return question recalls Jesus' comments about the John the Baptist in chapter 7, that John was more than a prophet (7,30). Jesus' stresses the divine origin of John's ministry. Even then, the Pharisees and scribes rejected John' authority (7,29-30).
Gamaliel (Acts 5,38-39) pointed out the self-destruct nature of the movement if it does not come from God.
The conclusion in 20,8 tells us that if John had authority from God, then even more so does Jesus.
We can now return to the main page.
The Vineyard: Lk 20,9-19
We begin by noting that Jesus is now speaking to the people rather than continuing to speak to the leaders as in Mark (Mk 12,1).
The people would have known Isaiah chapter 5, the song of the vineyard. There it is stated that the vineyard is the house of Israel (Is 5,7).
God is therefore the owner of the vineyard and the servants are prophets he sent.
The Son is Jesus, with echoes here of the voice at his baptism (3,22). There is also an echo of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Issac his only Son (Genesis 22).
Going through verse by verse, as we've noted Luke says that Jesus is speaking to the people, unlike the other two evangelists. This helps to highlight the gap between the people and their leaders, as will become clear.
Luke has also left out the description of the vineyard given by Mark and Matthew. Maybe he thought the extra details were unnecessary.
In the next three verses, Luke and Mark speak of a servant being sent whilst Matthew speaks of servants.
In verse 13, unlike Mark and Matthew, the lord of the vineyard discusses with himself - "what shall I do?" Whilst the tenants in verse 14 react and "reasoned amongst themselves". This may be good dramatic effect.
Audience reaction in Luke comes in verse 16, whereas Matthew makes their reply a response to the death of the son (Mt 21,41). Luke gives their reaction to the handing over the vineyard with "Let it not be so!" ("Heaven forbid" in the NRSV does not reflect the Greek.) Once again, the gap between people and leaders is clear.
In verse 17, only Luke says Jesus looked upon the people. Then he makes the quotation from Ps 118 into a question. That makes his point more provocative.
The stone in verse 18 recalls Is 8,14; the trap and snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem heightens the message.
Verse 19 reminds us of the audience listening. All three evangelists are clear about the reaction. This parable of rejection is one more step towards the passion.
We can return to the main page.