Close Enough to Question
Luke 20
Tim Nay

Part of Closer - A Study in Luke

May 19, 2024

One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” —Luke 20:1-8

Question:

“Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” —Luke 20:2And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. —John 2:15

Answer:

“Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” —Luke 20:4

Luke 20:9-16

Jesus has authority over our worship.

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. —Luke 20:19-20

Question:

“Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” —Luke 20:22

Answer:

“Render to Caesar the things that Caesar’s and to God the things that are God.” —Luke 20:25 
So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin. —John 29:10-11

Jesus has authority over our politics.

Question:

“In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife…” —Luke20:27-33

Answer:

“But Jesus answered them, ‘you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage…” —Matthew 22:29-30

Jesus has authority over our eternity.

Takeaway: Have I submitted to God’s authority over my life?