Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryLuke 20

It came to pass. [The Leaders Challenge Jesus’ Authority, Luke 20:1–8=Matt. 21:23–27=Mark 11:27–33. Major comment: Matthew.]

Stone us. That is, stone us to death.

Could not tell. Literally, ―did not know.‖

A certain man. [The Wicked Husbandmen, Luke 20:9–19=Matt. 21:33–46=Mark 12:1–12. Major comment: Matthew.] For a long time. A detail noted only by Luke.

Again he sent another. Literally, ―he added to send another,‖ a strictly Hebrew idiom carried over into the Greek (see on ch. 19:11).

Wounded. Gr. traumatizō, from the noun trauma (see on ch. 10:34).

What shall I do? Another detail preserved only by Luke.

God forbid. Literally, ―may it not happen,‖ meaning, as it were, ―away with the thought.‖ The word ―God‖ does not appear in the Greek. This strong exclamation was uttered when the Pharisees recognized in the parable a picture of their own fate (see COL 295).

Grind him to powder. Or, ―crush him to pieces.‖

Chief priests. For comment see on Matt. 21:23. The same hour. They were ready to force the issue with Jesus (see Matt. 21:46). They perceived. Here was the reason for their immediate anger.

Watched. [Paying Tribute to Caesar, Luke 20:20–26=Matt. 22:15–22=Mark 12:13–17. Major comment: Matthew.] Spies. Probably these were, in this case, theological students from the seminary in Jerusalem (see DA 601). For previous encounters between Jesus and spies commissioned by the Sanhedrin see on ch. 11:54. Feign. Or, ―pretend.‖ Take hold of his words. They were ―watching‖ for something that would hold in court, so that Jesus would not be able to escape their sinister designs against His life.

Tribute. Gr. phoros, the annual fixed tax, levied either on property or on persons.

A penny. A Roman denarius (see p. 49; see on Matt. 20:2).

Could not take hold. They were unable to find a word of evidence against Jesus (see on v. 20). He slipped through their hands, and as He did so, He uttered the fundamental principle that governs the Christian‘s responsibilities to civil authorities.

Certain of the Sadducees. [Marriage and the Resurrection, Luke 20:27–38=Matt. 22:23–33=Mark 12:18–27. Major comment: Matthew.]

To obtain. That is, ―to reach,‖ or ―to attain to.‖

Children of the resurrection. A Hebrew idiomatic expression carried over into the Greek, and here parallel with the expression ―the children of God.‖ ―Children of the resurrection‖ means, simply, those raised from the dead. They have been given life again by the same power that originally gave them life. Their entire being has been reconstituted for life in a new world.

Certain of the scribes. [The Great Commandment, Luke 20:39, 40=Matt. 22:34– 40=Mark 12:28–34. Major comment: Mark.]

He said unto them. [Jesus Silences His Critics, Luke 20:41–44=Matt. 22:41– 46=Mark 12:35–37. Major comment: Matthew.]

In the book of Psalms. Only Luke remarks that the quotation is from the book of Psalms.

In the audience. [Woes Upon Scribe and Pharisee, Luke 20:45–47=Matt. 23:1– 39=Mark 12:38–40. Major comment: Matthew.] That is, ―in the hearing‖; in other words, while the scribes and the Pharisees were listening to Him.