And 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,

2And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

3And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

7And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

8And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

9Then 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.

10And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

11And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

12And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast himout.

13Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

14But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

16He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

17And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

19And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

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

22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

24Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

27Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

28Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

32Last of all the woman died also.

33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

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

35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

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

37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

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

39Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

40And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

41And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

44David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

45Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

46Beware 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;

47Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

And it came to passe, that on one of those dayes, as he taught the people in the Temple, and preached the Gospel, the chiefe Priests and the Scribes came vpon him, with the Elders,

2And spake vnto him, saying, Tell vs, by what authoritie doest thou these things? or who is hee that gaue thee this authoritie?

3And hee answered, and said vnto them, I will also aske you one thing, and answere me.

4The Baptisme of Iohn, was it from heauen, or of men?

5And they reasoned with themselues, saying, If wee shall say, From heauen, he will say, Why then beleeued yee him not?

6But and if we say, Of men, all the people will stone vs: for they be perswaded that Iohn was a Prophet.

7And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

8And Iesus said vnto them, Neither tell I you by what authoritie I doe these things.

9Then began hee to speake to the people this parable: A certaine man planted a vineyard, and let it foorth to husbandmen, and went into a farre countrey for a long time.

10And at the season, hee sent a seruant to the husbandmen, that they should giue him of the fruit of the vineyard, but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away emptie.

11And againe hee sent another seruant, and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away emptie.

12And againe he sent the third, and they wounded him also, & cast him out.

13Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I doe? I will send my beloued sonne: it may be they will reuerence him when they see him.

14But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselues, saying, This is þe heire, come, let vs kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard doe vnto them?

16Hee shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall giue the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

17And hee beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders reiected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18Whosoeuer shall fall vpon that stone, shalbe broken: but on whomsoeuer it shall fall, it will grinde him to powder.

19 And the chiefe Priests and the Scribes the same houre sought to lay hands on him, and they feared the people: for they perceiued that he had spoken this parable against them.

20And they watched him, and sent foorth spies, which should faine themselues iust men, that they might take holde of his words, that so they might deliuer him vnto the power and authoritie of the gouernour.

21And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truely.

22Is it lawfull for vs to giue tribute vnto Cesar, or no?

23But he perceiued their craftines, and said vnto them, Why tempt ye me?

24Shew me a peny: whose image and superscription hath it? They answered, and said, Cesars.

25And he said vnto them, Render therefore vnto Cesar the things which be Cesars, and vnto God the things which be Gods.

26And they could not take holde of his wordes before the people, and they marueiled at his answere, and helde their peace.

27 Then came to him certaine of the Sadduces (which denie that there is any resurrection) and they asked him,

28Saying, Master, Moses wrote vnto vs, If any mans brother die, hauing a wife, and hee die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise vp seede vnto his brother.

29There were therefore seuen brethren, and the first tooke a wife, and died without children.

30And the second tooke her to wife, and he died childlesse.

31And the third tooke her, and in like maner the seuen also. And they left no children, and died.

32Last of all the woman died also.

33Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife of them is she? for seuen had her to wife.

34And Iesus answering, said vnto them, The children of this world, marrie, and are giuen in marriage:

35But they which shall be accompted worthy to obtaine that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marrie, nor are giuen in marriage.

36Neither can they die any more; for they are equall vnto the Angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

37Now that the dead are raised, euen Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isahac, and the God of Iacob.

38For he is not a God of the dead, but of the liuing for all liue vnto him.

39 Then certaine of the Scribes answering, said, Master, Thou hast well said.

40And after that, they durst not aske him any question at all.

41And he said vnto them, How say they that Christ is Dauids sonne?

42And Dauid himselfe saith in the booke of Psalmes, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43Till I make thine enemies thy footestoole.

44Dauid therefore calleth him, Lord, how is he then his sonne?

45 Then in the audience of all the people, he said vnto his disciples,

46Beware of the Scribes, which desire to walke in long robes, and loue greetings in the markets, and the highest seates in the Synagogues, and the chiefe roumes at feasts:

47Which deuoure widowes houses and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receiue greater damnation.

 

1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple area and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, approached him 2 and said to him, "Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Or who is the one who gave you this authority?" 3 He said to them in reply, "I shall ask you a question. Tell me, 4 was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin?" 5 They discussed this among themselves, and said, "If we say, 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?' 6 But if we say, 'Of human origin,' then all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet." 7 So they answered that they did not know from where it came. 8 Then Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things." 9 Then he proceeded to tell the people this parable. "(A) man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and then went on a journey for a long time. 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenant farmers to receive some of the produce of the vineyard. But they beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. 11 So he proceeded to send another servant, but him also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. 12 Then he proceeded to send a third, but this one too they wounded and threw out. 13 The owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I shall send my beloved son; maybe they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenant farmers saw him they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him that the inheritance may become ours.' 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and put those tenant farmers to death and turn over the vineyard to others." When the people heard this, they exclaimed, "Let it not be so!" 17 But he looked at them and asked, "What then does this scripture passage mean: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls." 19 The scribes and chief priests sought to lay their hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people, for they knew that he had addressed this parable to them. 20 They watched him closely and sent agents pretending to be righteous who were to trap him in speech, in order to hand him over to the authority and power of the governor. 21 They posed this question to him, "Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is correct, and you show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?" 23 Recognizing their craftiness he said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius; whose image and name does it bear?" They replied, "Caesar's." 25 So he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." 26 They were unable to trap him by something he might say before the people, and so amazed were they at his reply that they fell silent. 27 Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to him, 28 saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, 'If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.' 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. 30 Then the second 31 and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her." 34 Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; 35 but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. 37 That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called 'Lord' the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; 38 and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." 39 Some of the scribes said in reply, "Teacher, you have answered well." 40 And they no longer dared to ask him anything. 41 Then he said to them, "How do they claim that the Messiah is the Son of David? 42 For David himself in the Book of Psalms says: 'The Lord said to my lord, "Sit at my right hand 43 till I make your enemies your footstool."' 44 Now if David calls him 'lord,' how can he be his son?" 45 Then, within the hearing of all the people, he said to (his) disciples, 46 "Be on guard against the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and love greetings in marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation."

BY WHAT AUTHORITY? 20:1-8: Matthew 21:23-27

 

v 1-8. Jesus as confronted by the religious leaders as to where He got authority to do what He had done the last two days, He had not received it from them. Jesus answered that He would answer only if they answered a question from Him, Jesus' question was the baptism of John from heaven or from men. They dare not say of men because the people believed John, or of heaven or Jesus would say why didn’t you believe him. They refused to answer so He refused to answer them.

PARABLE OF VINEYARD 20:9-20: Matthew 21:33-46

v 9-20. Jesus gave another parable of a landowner who made a vineyard at great expense and leased it to tenants, but when he sent servants to collect the income, the tenants beat and killed the servants. Last he sent his son, thinking they would revere him, but they killed the son so they could get the inheritance. They answered that those tenants should be killed and the vineyard leased to worthy tenants. Predication of the Savior concerning setting and them want more to kill Him, but they dared not for the people believed Him a prophet. Lk. 20:18 adds that those who fell on that stone, often pyramid shaped, stumbled over and rejected in building, would be broken, but the one it fell on would be crushed to powder.

This illustrated how Israel had beaten and killed prophets and were now about to kill the Son, so the kingdom would be taken from them at that time, but will be given back to future generations when they truly repent and turn to God. These leaders had rejected Christ, the Stone, but, quoting from Ps. 118:22, He would become head of the corner (more correctly the capstone).

TRIBUTE TO CAESAR 20:21-26: Mark 12:13-17

v 21-26. The Pharisees hated Rome while the Herodians supported it, but they were called upon for support in trapping Jesus. They used flattering hypocrisy before asking him if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar. However He knew their hypocrisy, and however He answered, one of the two groups would condemn Him. 22:16 THEIR DISCIPLES: Jewish nationalists opposed to Rome occupation and rule over Palestine. Jesus asked for a coin which would have Caesar’s image on it. 22:19 A COIN: A "denarius" was a coin used to pay tax that had a profile portrait of Tiberius Caesar, The Roman Emperor (AD 14-37) To the Jews this was especially offensive because they knew that God forbade graves images in the likeness of any created thing (EX 20:4)Showing that they were under Rome, they were obligated to pay, but they also had spiritual responsibility to God. The answer amazed and silenced both groups.

THE RESURREDTION 20:27-40: Mark 12:18-27

v 27-28. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, angels or spirit, and thought they had the perfect question to make Jesus and resurrection look ridiculous. Jewish law required the next son in line to raise up an heir for the one who died childless, so which of the seven brothers would she be wife to in heaven?

v 29-38. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, angels or spirit, and thought they had the perfect question to make Jesus and resurrection look ridiculous. Jewish law required the next son in line to raise up an heir for the one who died childless, so which of the seven brothers would she be wife to in heaven? Jesus bluntly told them they erred. Mk. 12:25 adds that in heaven they will neither marry or be given in marriage, but are like the angels (whom Sadducees deny, Acts 23:8). He did not say they were sexless, but being immortal they have no need to perpetuate their race. Then he showed from Scripture that God was still God of Abraham and others. Even though they had died they yet lived. The Sadducees were silenced, but the crowds enjoyed it.

DAVID'S SON 20:41-44: Mark 12:35-37

v 39-44. Jesus used this to take the initiative and asked the Pharisees a doctrinal question, “Whose son is Christ?” They quickly replied Messiah would be Son of David. Jesus then asked how Messiah could be just an earthy son of David, because David called Him Lord. They were stumped, and unwilling to acknowledge the deity of Jesus by admitting He was David’s Lord. So they would not ask Him any more questions.

SCRIBES DENOUNCED 20:45-47 Matthew 23

v 45-47 Jesus described the actions of the scribes and Pharisees and gave the multitude gathered warning about them. They taught the law of Moses hypocritically, not following it correctly themselves. They made the rules a burden and made their phylacteries larger than normal and put long tassels on their prayer shawls to attract attention (See comments on borders, v 5 in Mal. 4:2., where they are expressed as wings.). They sought prominent seats in the synagogues, titles and positions. Jesus warned against calling religious leaders Father and Rabbi, because only Christ was their master. One who humiliates himself to serve is the greatest. Mk. 12:38-40 and Lk. 20:45-47 add that they exploit generous, but poor, widows and make long prayers.

PHYLACTERIES: They wrote the ten commandments on parchments and carried them on their foreheads before their eyes: The Pharisees affected to wear broader than other men, so to seem more zealous for the law.

CALL NONE YOUR FATHER UPON EARTH: Neither be ye called masters. The meaning is that our Father in heaven is incomparably more to be regarded than any father upon earth, and no master to be followed, who would lead us away from Christ. But this does not hinder but that we are by the law of God to have a due respect both for our parents and spiritual father, (1st Cor 4. 156) and for our master and teachers.