Luke 20

Chief priests again asking Jesus where He got His smichah (authority). Notice again the answering a question with a question. Jesus also tells them another parable involving a vineyard (reference to Isaiah 5:1-7). The point of the parable (explained in the NIV study Bible text note) is apparently not lost on the listeners as they exclaim, "May this never be!" Notice also in verse 19 that the Pharisees are not here included in the groups of people that want to have him arrested. Notice also that from verse 39 in this chapter that apparently some of the teachers of the law were not in this group either.

As we talked about in class, 20:25 is astonishing given that several of the disciples of Jesus (and the disciples of the disciples) died because they would not hail Caesar as Lord.

Also verses 34-38 is just a brilliant response on so many levels.
In verses 41-44, Jesus is really stretching their ontological understanding of who the Messiah is. Most if not all the people who believed Jesus was the Messiah did not understand His deity also.

Now it's time to take a look back at that remez I cited last time. Luke 19:40: "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." For stones crying out, check Habakkuk 2:9-11. When will the stones cry out? Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many people shaming your own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by crime! So more than appreciating the accalades of the crowd, Jesus is making a point of the lack of justice by the religious establishment. Quite a powerful condemnation.