The big picture
Luke 20 opens in verse 1 with “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 24 with “Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said…”, and closes in verse 47 with “Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive…” Repeated or prominent terms include children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Luke · King James Version · 47Luke 20:1-8
1–8: It came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in…
Luke 20:1–8 opens with “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and…” and reaches “And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 20 develops its own movement around children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife, with particular weight carried by authority, tell, heaven.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
Luke 20:1-8
King James Version1And 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.
Luke 20:9-16
9–16: Began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a…
Luke 20:9–16 opens with “Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it…” and reaches “He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 20 develops its own movement around children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife, with particular weight carried by vineyard, husbandmen, beat.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen…” The line’s distinctive content terms include began, certain, country. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
“And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.” The line’s distinctive content terms include beat, empty, entreated. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.
Luke 20:9-16
King James Version9Then 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 him out.
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.
Luke 20:17-24
17–24: He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone…
Luke 20:17–24 opens with “And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders…” and reaches “Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar’s.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 20 develops its own movement around children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife, with particular weight carried by fall, perceived, stone.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 4 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include chief, feared, hands. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.
Luke 20:17-24
King James Version17And 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 Cæsar, 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, Cæsar’s.
Luke 20:25-32
25–32: He said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be…
Luke 20:25–32 opens with “And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the…” and reaches “Last of all the woman died also.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 20 develops its own movement around children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife, with particular weight carried by died, wife, brother.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be…” Naming Render keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,” Naming Sadducees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Luke 20:25-32
King James Version25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’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.
Luke 20:33-40
33–40: Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had…
Luke 20:33–40 opens with “Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.” and reaches “And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 20 develops its own movement around children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife, with particular weight carried by children, dead, resurrection.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Luke 20:33-40
King James Version33Therefore 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.
Luke 20:41-47
41–47: He said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?
Luke 20:41–47 opens with “And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?” and reaches “Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 20 develops its own movement around children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife, with particular weight carried by LORD, David, long.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Luke 20:41-47
King James Version41And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son?
42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The \+nd LORD\+nd 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Luke 20:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Luke 20:24 forms a natural hinge: “Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar’s.”
The final note
Luke 20:47 leaves the reader with “Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words children, LORD, people, vineyard, wife, husbandmen help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What assumption drives Abraham's deception?
He assumes there is no fear of God in the place and that he will be killed.
How does the chapter expose that assumption?
Abimelech responds seriously to God's warning and confronts Abraham about wrongdoing.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.