Luke 20:1 - Meaning and Application

In this account, Luke does not add anything new to what the other Gospel writers already recorded, except for the first verse. There we are told that Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel. Christ was a preacher of his own good news. He not only won salvation for us, he also announced it to us. That gives strong proof of the truth of the gospel and great encouragement to receive it, because it shows how much Christ wanted it to be heard and believed.

This also honors the work of gospel preachers, even if the world looks down on them. It especially honors those who preach to ordinary people. Christ met people where they were and taught them in a way they could understand. Notice, too, that while he was preaching the gospel, this interruption came. Satan and his servants do all they can to block the gospel from reaching people, because nothing weakens Satan’s kingdom more.

Luke says that Jesus’ enemies came upon him. The word suggests two things. First, they hoped to catch him off guard with their question. They came suddenly, thinking they would find him unprepared, as if he had never considered the matter himself. Second, they tried to alarm him by coming together in a group and acting forcefully. But how could he be shaken by human anger, when it was fully in his power to restrain it and turn it to his own glory?

From this scene we can learn several things. First, we should not be surprised when something that is clear beyond doubt is still denied by people who close their eyes to the light. Christ’s miracles plainly showed by what authority he acted and proved his commission, yet that very point was now being challenged. Second, those who question Christ’s authority may be embarrassed by the simplest truths of religion if they are tested with them. Jesus answered the priests and scribes with a question about John the Baptist’s baptism, a question even common people could answer: was it from heaven or from men? They all knew it was from heaven. Nothing in it was earthly in spirit or purpose, it was wholly heavenly and from God. That question trapped them and exposed their folly before the people.

Third, when people are ruled by reputation and selfish interests, they can hide plain truth and suppress strong convictions. These priests and scribes did that. To protect their own standing, they would not admit that John’s baptism was from heaven. The only reason they did not say it was from men was that they feared the people. What good can be expected from people with that kind of spirit? Fourth, those who bury the truth they already have are rightly denied further light. It was fair for Christ to refuse to answer them about his authority, since they knew John’s baptism was from heaven, yet would not believe in him or admit what they knew. (Luke 20:7-8)