Luke 20: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Luke 20 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The priests and scribes challenge Jesus' authority while he teaches in the temple (vv. 1-8). They ask him by what authority he acts, but he counters with a question about John's baptism.

Key verse

“He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Luke 20:25 (WEB)

Outline

Luke 20:1–8 Challenge to Jesus' Authority
Luke 20:9–18 The Parable of the Tenants
Luke 20:19–26 Trap About Taxes
Luke 20:27–40 Question on Resurrection
Luke 20:41–47 David's Son and Scribes' Hypocrisy

Discussion questions

In v2, what do the priests and scribes ask Jesus about?
What does Jesus say about the baptism of John in v4?
In vv. 15-16, what does the lord of the vineyard's reaction suggest about judgment?
In v38, how does Jesus’ reference to Moses influence the discussion about resurrection?
When have you felt pressure to answer a challenging question like in v22?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Luke 20: Mark 12, Matthew 22, Matthew 21.

Before next time: read Luke 21.