Luke 20

The One whose authority is from heaven

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, Luke 20:1–8

The leaders demand to know who gave Jesus His authority. He answers by asking about John's baptism, because John came from heaven and testified of Him; if they accepted John, they would know where Jesus' authority comes from.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 11:27-33 — Mark's account of the question of authority.
• a parallel account in Matthew 21:23-27 — Matthew's account.

The Beloved Son and Heir

Beloved Son — the Father's own title for Jesus

Then 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. Luke 20:9–16

The lord of the vineyard is the Father, the servants are the prophets, and the beloved son and heir is Jesus, who tells the leaders to their faces that they will kill Him. Casting the son out of the vineyard foreshadows His death outside Jerusalem's walls.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Luke 3:22 — The Father's voice: Thou art my beloved Son.
• alludes to Isaiah 5:1-7 — The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel.
• alludes to Genesis 37:20 — Joseph's brothers: Come now therefore, and let us slay him (Joseph as a type of Christ).
• fulfilled by Hebrews 13:12 — Jesus suffered without the gate.
• the same title in Hebrews 1:2 — His Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things.
• a parallel account in Mark 12:1-9 — Mark's account of the parable.
• a parallel account in Matthew 21:33-41 — Matthew's account of the parable.

The Stone the builders rejected, head of the corner

Head of the corner — the chief cornerstone that holds the whole building together

And 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? Luke 20:17–18

Jesus applies Psalm 118 to Himself: the leaders reject Him, but He becomes the cornerstone of God's house. Anyone who stumbles on Him is broken, and the stone that falls in judgment grinds to powder, echoing Daniel's stone kingdom.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• interprets Psalm 118:22 — The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
• alludes to Isaiah 8:14-15 — A stone of stumbling; many shall stumble, and fall, and be broken.
• alludes to Daniel 2:34-35 — The stone cut out without hands breaks the image in pieces.
• the same title in Acts 4:10-11 — Peter: Jesus Christ is the stone set at nought of you builders, become the head of the corner.
• the same title in Jacob 4:15-17 — The stone the Jews reject becomes the only sure foundation.

Children of the resurrection

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: Luke 20:34–36

Against the Sadducees, Jesus teaches that the dead truly rise and can never die again. That resurrection comes through Him, whose own rising is days away. (Latter-day Saints read the marriage statement alongside D&C 132:15-17.)

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 12:24-25 — Mark's account of His answer to the Sadducees.
• a parallel account in Matthew 22:29-30 — Matthew's account.

The God of Abraham at the burning bush

Now 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. Luke 20:37–38

Jesus proves the resurrection from the burning bush, where the Lord named Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Latter-day Saints know that God at the bush was Jehovah, Jesus Himself before His birth, so He is quoting His own words to Moses.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Exodus 3:6 — I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
• alludes to Exodus 3:2 — The angel of the LORD appeared in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — The risen Christ: I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel.
• the same title in John 8:58 — Before Abraham was, I am.

Christ, David's Son and David's Lord

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son? Luke 20:41–44

Jesus shows from Psalm 110 that the Messiah is more than a human descendant of David: David calls Him 'my Lord,' and the Father invites Him to sit at His right hand. Christ is both David's son by birth and David's Lord.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 110:1 — The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand.
• alludes to 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — The promised seed of David whose throne is established for ever.
• a parallel account in Mark 12:35-37 — Mark's account.
• a parallel account in Matthew 22:41-45 — Matthew's account.
• fulfilled by Acts 7:55-56 — Stephen sees the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.