Luke 20:19-26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 20:9-19

Christ spoke this parable against those who were resolved not to own his authority, though the evidence of it was ever so full and convincing; and it comes very seasonably to show that by questioning his authority they forfeited their own. Their disowning the lord of their vineyard was a defeasance of their lease of the vineyard, and giving up of all their title. I. The parable has nothing added here to what we had before in Matthew and Mark. The scope of it is to show that the Jewish nation,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 20:20-26

We have here Christ's evading a snare which his enemies laid for him, by proposing a question to him about tribute. We had this passage before, both in Matthew and Mark. Here is, I. The mischief designed him, and that is more fully related here than before. The plot was to deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor, Luke 20:20. They could not themselves put him to death by course of law, nor otherwise than by a popular tumult, which they could not depend upon; and, since they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 20:19-26

20:19-26 The scribes and chief priests tried to lay hands on Jesus at that very hour; and they feared the people, for they realized that he spoke this parable to them. They watched for an opportunity, and they despatched spies, who pretended that they were genuinely concerned about the right thing to do, so that they might fasten on what he said and be able to hand him over to the power and the authority of the governor. They asked him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 20:19

And the chief priests, and the Scribes, that same hour ,.... As soon as he had delivered the above parable, together with that of the two sons: sought to lay hands on him ; they had a good will to it, being exceedingly gravelled with the question he put to them concerning John's baptism, which confounded them, and put them to silence; and with the parables he delivered, in which they were so manifestly pointed at: and they feared the people ; lest they should rise and stone them, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 20:20

And they watched him ,.... What he said, and what he did, and where he went, that they might take an advantage against him, or know where he was, to send to him, as they should think fit, and take the best opportunity of so doing. The Syriac and Persic versions leave out this clause: and sent forth spies which should feign themselves just men : of virtue and religion, conscientious men, that would do nothing but what was just and right, and were desirous of being exactly informed of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 20:21

And they asked him, saying, master ,.... Rabbi, or doctor; hoping, by this flattering title, and the flattering words used by them, to work him up to an openness and freedom of conversation with them: we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly ; rightly dividest the word of God, and deliverest out sound doctrine according to it: and this he certainly did, though they spoke these words hypocritically, not believing what they themselves said; at least, they did not care that others... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 20:22

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? The Syriac and Persic versions here, as in the other evangelists, render it, "head money". The phrase, "for us", is here added, and on it lies the emphasis, and stress of the question; for the doubt pretended, was not whether it was lawful for the Romans to pay tribute to Caesar, but whether it was lawful for them who were Jews, were Abraham's seed, and, as they boasted, were never in bondage, but were the Lord's free people, to pay... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 20:23

But he perceived their craftiness ,.... Knowing what was in them, and being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of their hearts, he clearly saw that their view was either, that they might have a charge against him to the Roman governor, should he declare against payment of tribute; or that they might expose him to the people of the Jews, should he assert the lawfulness of it: and said unto them, why tempt ye me ? with this ensnaring question. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 20:24

Show me a penny ,.... A Roman denarius, value seven pence halfpenny of our money. The Persic version adds, "they showed it, he asked of them"; and the Ethiopic version, "and they brought it, and he said unto them", as follows; whose image and superscription hath it ? for the penny had an head upon it, with something written, as the name of the emperor, whose image it was, his titles, the date of the coin, or some motto on it: they answered and said, Caesar's ; very likely Tiberius... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 20:25

And he said unto them, render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's ,.... The Arabic version renders it, "give to the king what is the king's"; the tribute that was due to him; since they were under his government, and were protected by him, and traded with his money; the currency of which among them was an acknowledgment of him as their sovereign: and unto God the things which be God's ; which relate to his worship, honour, interest, and kingdom; See Gill on Matthew 22:21 ... read more

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