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• LESSON 21 (May 29) •Luke 20 • “Tell Us By What Authority You Do These Things”1. In Luke 20:1-2, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders said to Jesus, “Tell us by whatauthority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” Was this a reasonablerequest? Is it an expectation we should continue to have of preachers and teachers today?2. If indeed this was a reasonable request, what was the problem? Where were the chief priests,scribes, and elders falling short?3. Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John fromheaven or from man?” (20:4). Carefully read what Luke provides us in Luke 20:3-8. Why did Jesusask this question? What was the essence of the dilemma for the chief priests, scribes, and elders?And why did Jesus respond in the way that he did in Luke 20:8?4. Take the time to read and reflect on the parable of the wicked tenants (20:9-16). How does thisparable relate to what Luke told us in Luke 20:1-8? How would you summarize the parable inyour own words? Taking the “big picture” of the Bible into account, what is Jesus describing?5. What does Jesus intend for his audience to understand by quoting Psalm 118:22: “The stone thatthe builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (20:17)? What does he mean by the ominousstatement in Luke 20:18? Do his words still apply to humanity today?6. How does the context provided by Luke in 20:19-20 help us understand the heart behind thequestions asked in 20:21-22 and 20:27-33?7. “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (20:25).What does this mean?8. In a very real sense, Jesus gives us a brief glimpse in Luke 20:34-38 of existence beyond death.Why should we believe what he is telling us? What can we learn from his response?9. Jesus seems to be making a profound point in Luke 20:41-44. What is that point? How does itrelate to the rest of Luke 20?10. What is Jesus warning his followers about in Luke 20:45-47? Even though we don’t live in thathistorical and cultural context, is there a way that the warning still applies to us today?