Kevin Siddle
Jesus was a gifted and passionate teacher. And teaching is exactly what he did in his last week on earth. “Every day he was teaching in the temple.” Luke 19:47 On Tuesday of Holy week, we see most of Luke focus on Jesus teachings. The teachers of the law, looking for a way to trap Jesus, question his authority. They want to try and get Jesus into saying something blasphemous or treasonous. After all, the religious leaders themselves are not endorsing Jesus, so who is? Ironically, throughout Luke 20, Jesus spins the question back on the leaders and questions their authority. Luke 20:19, “When the teachers of religious law and the leading priests heard this story, they wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was pointing at them…” The questioning continues, not for any true desire to learn, but to try and trap Jesus. However, after all the questions have been asked, and after Jesus offers his parables, wisdom, and rebukes, the religious leaders are left speechless. Luke 20:39-40 “Well said, Teacher! Remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. And that ended their questions; no one dared to ask any more.” At this point Jesus turns to the offensive. He has an opportunity to call out the evil like he did in clearing the Temple. Luke 20:45-47 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, ‘Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they love to parade in flowing robes and to have everyone bow to them as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. But they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property, and then, to cover up the kind of people they really are, they make long prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be the greater. The painting pictured is by James Tissot titled The Pharisees and the Saduccees Come to Tempt Jesus.
*Adapted from the Life Application Bible Commentary of Luke