Luke 20:1

Jesus' Authority Questioned

1 1On one of the days while 2He was teaching the people in the temple and 3preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders 4confronted Him,

Luke 20:1 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:1

And it came to pass, that on one of those days
According to the account of the Evangelist Mark, it must be the second day, or two days after his public entrance into Jerusalem; for on the evening of the day he made his entry, he went out to Bethany with his disciples; the next morning, as he returned from thence, he cursed the barren fig tree; and when he came to the temple cast out the buyers and sellers; at evening he went out again, either to Bethany, or the Mount of Olives; and the next morning, as he and his disciples returned, the fig tree was observed to be dried up; and when they were come to Jerusalem, as he was walking in the temple, he was attacked by the sanhedrim, and had the following discourse with them:

as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the Gospel;
for he taught them by preaching that, and which he did most clearly, faithfully, and publicly, being abundantly anointed and qualified for it, and sent to do it.

The chief priests, and the Scribes, came upon him, with the
elders.
The whole sanhedrim being purposely convened together, came upon him in a body; and it may be suddenly, and at an unawares, and came open mouthed against him, and attacked him with great warmth and vehemency.

Luke 20:1 In-Context

1 On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him,
2 and they spoke, saying to Him, "Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?"
3 Jesus answered and said to them, "I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me:
4 "Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?"
5 They reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why did you not believe him?'

Cross References 4

  • 1. Luke 20:1-8: {Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33}
  • 2. Matthew 26:55
  • 3. Luke 8:1
  • 4. Acts 4:1; Acts 6:12
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