March 26, 2023

Luke 20:1-8

¹One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ² “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”

³ He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: ⁴ John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” ⁵ They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

⁷ So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” ⁸ Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Read Luke 20:1-2

1. How would you summarize the ‘good news’ that Jesus was proclaiming? Can you support your answer with anything from earlier in Luke’s account?
2. Why do you imagine the leaders were so focused on the issue of Jesus’ authority?
3. How would you describe the authority you have as a follower of Jesus? What does the Bible say about the power and authority that God gives to those who follow Jesus?

Read Luke 20:3-6

1. Why do you think Jesus chose not to answer their question directly? If he had answered directly, what do you think he would have said? Can you support that from scripture?
2. What does the Pharisees’ response to Jesus’ question reveal about their character, their motives, and their purpose?

Read Luke 20:7-8

1. How honest were those leaders in their answer to Jesus in verse 7? What does this suggest about the importance of dealing honestly with God?
2. What are some of the was that we can become a little ‘dishonest’ in our dealings with God? Why do you think we fall prey to these temptations?
3. Based on Jesus’ response in verse 8, how can we expect God to deal with us if we are less than forthright with Him?