“The stone the builders rejected”

Read Luke 20:1-26

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Jesus teaching daily in the temple led to ever-increasing tension as this dispute over his authority shows (1-2). It was a valid question but what they had seen of his ministry should have been enough to convince them that his authority came from God (3-8; 4:32). “Rejection of revelation already given is a slender basis on which to ask for more.” (Carson)

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That controversy leads on to the parable of the tenants. The vineyard bearing bad fruit is a clear reference to faithless Israel (9; Is.5:1-7). Having previously rejected the prophets that God had sent to them (10-12), now they were about to kill God’s “beloved son” (13-15). Despite the uniqueness of Jesus they would reject him emphatically, leading inevitably to God’s judgement and the giving of their privileged position to others who will be more fruitful (16), with Jesus himself vindicated (17-18; Ps.118:22).

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So the priests had even more reason to want to arrest him (19), hence their next question (20-23). But Jesus neatly avoided the trap, by affirming that duties to God and the state are not incompatible (24-26; Rom.13:1-8), providing Caesar doesn’t try to take the things that belong to God (Rom.14:9).