Stewards and Shepherds

Luke 20  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Listen from:
Luke 20
As Jesus was teaching in the temple, the elders came and asked by what authority He did these things who gave Him the authority. Jesus answered, 'The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" Fearing the people who were for John the Baptist, they said they could not tell. Jesus said, "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things."
The Vineyard
Before leaving for a long stay in a far country, a certain man planted a vineyard and let it out to farmers to care for it. At harvest time he sent a servant to receive the fruits of the field, but the servant was beaten and sent away. Another servant was sent whom they treated shamefully before sending him away. The third servant was wounded and cast out.
Supposing that the farmers would reverence his son, he sent him to them. The farmers, seeing the son, said, 'This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours." So they killed him; what shall the owner of the vineyard do? He will destroy the farmers and give possession of the vineyard to others.
Herodians, Sadducees and Pharisees: the Three Shepherds
The Herodians ask, "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no?" Jesus answered, "Show Me a penny. Whose image, and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar. And He said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's." Marveling at His answer, they held their peace.
The Sadducees, who deny there is any resurrection, asked what would happen if seven brothers, one after another, upon the death of the one before them, had the same wife-whose wife would she be in the resurrection? Jesus said that there would be no marriage in heaven. They are like the angels.
He reminded them that Moses called the Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God does not regard Himself the God of the dead but of the living. They answer, "Master, Thou hast well said." From then on they dared not ask Him any more questions.
Jesus asked them, How can it be said that Christ is David's son? David had said in the Psalms, "The Lord said unto My Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." David called Him Lord. "How is He then," Jesus asked, "his son?" By these questions he showed them that He, who was this person, must be God come in the flesh.
Jesus warned the people to beware of the scribes with long robes who love greetings in the market, the highest seats in the synagogue and chief rooms at feasts, who devour widow's houses, and for a show make long prayers. These shall receive the greater judgment.