Read the Passage: Luke 20:27–21:4

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Luke 20:27-21:4

Sadducees’ Question (20:27–38)

This chapter narrates various groups’ questioning of Jesus, including the chief priests and scribes (cf. Luke 20:1–8), the Herodians (cf. Luke 20:19–26), and the Sadducees (cf. Luke 20:27–38). Christ is not afraid to receive these public questions, and He capably answers each inquiry. Note that each group asked Jesus a question relating to their own area of interest, with the chief priests asking about authority, the Herodians asking about money, and the Sadducees asking about theology. The present passage, which covers the Sadducees’ question to Jesus, is interesting, for it is the only time that Luke mentions this group in his Gospel. In fact, in the Gospels, with the exceptions of Mark 12:18 and Luke 20:27, the Sadducees are only referenced by Matthew. The Sadducees, who ruled the temple, were known for their denial of the supernatural, including the idea of resurrection.

In order to test Jesus, the Sadducees concocted a story about a woman who had seven successive brothers as husbands, each of whom died. This preposterous narrative seems designed: (1) to show that the Sadducees affirmed the Pentateuch, for these marriages were in accord with the law of levirate marriage (cf. Deut. 25:5–10); (2) to move Jesus to openly affirm their own theological position, for they denied the resurrection (cf. Luke 20:27), and (3) to cause Christ public embarrassment, for most of the crowd believed in the resurrection (cf. John 11:24). In response, Jesus does not enter a lengthy theological debate with the Sadducees. Rather, Christ explains that human marriage is an earthly institution, not a heavenly one; therefore, their question rested upon faulty assumptions. Further, Jesus quotes Exod. 3:6 to show the Sadducees erred in denying the idea of resurrection.

Jesus’ Question (20:39–47)

It is perhaps understandable that after Jesus’ ably answered the difficult questions from the religious leaders, they “kept silent” (Luke 20:26) and “after that they dared not question Him anymore” (Luke 20:40). In fact, a scribe who was present—part of the group that had just tested Jesus (cf. Luke 20:1)—even said, “Teacher, you have spoken well” (Luke 20:39). Given that many of the scribes were Pharisees, part of this man’s commendation of Christ was likely motivated by the fact that Jesus had just verbally bested the Sadducees, who were the Pharisees’ theological opponents. In any event, the leaders were forced to accept the fact that they would not be able to overcome Christ in a public debate, nor make Him stumble via interrogation. This is one reason why these leaders began to plan Jesus’ demise by other means, such as slander, perjury, and false accusations.

After entertaining questions from the religious leaders, Christ finally asked them a question as is recorded in Luke 20:41–43. In His inquiry Jesus quotes Ps. 110:1 to ask the leaders a question about the identity of Christ. In short, Jesus asks, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David?” (Luke 20:41). With this question, Jesus was pointing out that the religious leaders believed that Christ would be merely a man. Yet, Jesus quotes David to teach that Christ would be divine, saying, “The LORD said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (Ps. 110:1; Luke 20:42–43). Next, Jesus followed this citation with the rhetorical question, “[If] David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He then his Son?” (Luke 20:44). With this line of inquiry Jesus was highlighting the religious leaders’ error about Christ, as well as alluding to His own divine identity.

Widow’s Mites (21:1–4)

In Luke 20:45–47 Jesus concludes His interaction with the religious leaders by once again warning the crowds about the leaders’ hypocrisy. Next, in Luke 21:1–4 Christ teaches about giving as He observes “a certain poor widow putting in two mites” (Luke 21:2) to the temple treasury. While many would likely view this unnamed widow’s offering to be inconsequential, Jesus surprisingly teaches “that this poor widow has put in more than all” (Luke 21:3). Note the following observations: first, in contrast to many modern leaders, Jesus knew exactly how much this woman gave; second, God does not evaluate financial gifts based upon the amount of the gift, but upon the intent of the giver; and third, in this narrative Christ does nothing to remedy the financial disparity between those who had much (and gave abundantly) and this widow who had little (and gave lavishly).

Application Questions:

1. Why was Jesus so willing to publicly entertain questions from the religious leaders? How well do you receive being questioned by others?
2. Can you deny the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead and still be a Christian (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12–14)?
3. How can Christians best handle criticism from the world? How should believers answer false charges related to their faith?
4. In light of clear evidence that contrasts your own beliefs, how hard is it for you to admit that you are wrong?
5. How much money should Christians give to the church? Is the Old Testament tithe a New Testament requirement?