Luke 20:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, [that] on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon [him] with the elders,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, that on {G1722} one {G3391} of those {G1565} days {G2250}, as he {G846} taught {G1321} the people {G2992} in {G1722} the temple {G2411}, and {G2532} preached the gospel {G2097}, the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} the scribes {G1122} came upon {G2186} him with {G4862} the elders {G4245},

Complete Jewish Bible

One day, as Yeshua was teaching the people at the Temple, making known the Good News, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers, along with the elders, came up to him

Berean Standard Bible

One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the scribes with the elders;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:1 initiates a pivotal series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities in Jerusalem during the final days of His earthly ministry. It sets the scene in the Temple, where Jesus is actively engaged in teaching the people and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God, highlighting His unwavering commitment to His mission even as the opposition, represented by the chief priests, scribes, and elders, strategically approaches Him to challenge His authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His powerful act of cleansing the Temple, where He declared it a "house of prayer" rather than a "den of robbers" ([Luke 19:45-46](/luke/19-45-46 "Luke 19:45-46 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). The events of [Luke 20](/luke/20 "Luke 20 - Jesus' Authority Challenged") unfold during the Passion Week, a period marked by escalating tension and direct challenges to Jesus' authority by the Jewish leadership. The question posed by the authorities in the subsequent verses ("By what authority are you doing these things?") directly flows from Jesus' public actions and teachings described in [Luke 19](/luke/19 "Luke 19 - Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem and Cleansing the Temple").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Jerusalem Temple, the epicenter of Jewish religious, social, and political life. During Passover, the city would have been teeming with pilgrims, making the Temple courts a highly public and influential forum for teaching and debate. The "chief priests and the scribes with the elders" represent the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish ruling council. The chief priests were primarily Sadducees, controlling the Temple operations and rituals, while the scribes were experts in the Mosaic Law, often Pharisees. The elders were respected leaders from prominent families. Their collective presence signifies an official, formidable delegation, indicating a coordinated effort to challenge Jesus, not a casual encounter. Their objective was to discredit Him before the people and find grounds for His arrest.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 20:1 introduces several crucial themes that permeate the subsequent chapters. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Authority versus Human Authority**, as Jesus' teachings are directly challenged by the established religious powers. Second, it highlights Jesus' **Unwavering Commitment to His Mission**, as He continues to teach and "preach the gospel" ([Luke 20:1](/luke/20-1 "Luke 20:1 - Jesus Teaches in the Temple")) despite the palpable threat. Third, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **Rejection of the Messiah**, as the very leaders who should have recognized and welcomed Him instead plot His downfall. This opposition foreshadows the ultimate rejection that leads to His crucifixion, a theme consistent throughout the Gospel of Luke, particularly in passages like [Luke 19:14](/luke/19-14 "Luke 19:14 - His Citizens Hated Him").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **didáskō (Greek, _didáskō'_):** Translated as "taught," this verb means to teach in a broad application. In this context, it signifies Jesus' authoritative instruction and imparting of spiritual truth to the people, not merely casual conversation. His teaching in the Temple demonstrated His role as a prophet and rabbi, yet one whose authority transcended that of the traditional teachers.
* **euangelízō (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** Rendered "preached the gospel," this word literally means "to announce good news" or "to evangelize." It emphasizes the joyful and transformative nature of Jesus' message, which centered on the good news of the Kingdom of God, repentance, and salvation. This was not just moral instruction but a proclamation of God's redemptive plan.
* **ephístēmi (Greek, _ephístēmi'_):** Translated as "came upon," this verb means "to stand upon" or "to be present." It often implies a sudden, decisive appearance, frequently with an intent to challenge, confront, or even assault. In this verse, it vividly portrays the abrupt and confrontational arrival of the religious leaders, underscoring their adversarial purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass, [that] on one of those days":** This opening phrase, common in Luke's narrative, serves as a transitional marker, connecting the current event to the preceding narrative. "One of those days" refers to the period immediately following Jesus' triumphal entry and Temple cleansing, signaling that these events occurred during the intense final week of Jesus' public ministry in Jerusalem.
* **"as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel":** This clause describes Jesus' primary activity. He was actively engaged in public ministry within the Temple precincts, the central hub of Jewish life. His actions involved both "teaching" (imparting instruction and truth) and "preaching the gospel" (proclaiming the good news of God's Kingdom), demonstrating His dual role as a wise teacher and a herald of salvation. The Temple setting made His message widely accessible to the crowds gathered for Passover.
* **"the chief priests and the scribes came upon [him] with the elders":** This final clause introduces the antagonists. The "chief priests," "scribes," and "elders" represent the full spectrum of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious and judicial body. Their collective arrival, described by "came upon him," suggests a deliberate, organized, and confrontational approach, indicating their intent to challenge Jesus' authority and disrupt His ministry. This marks the formal beginning of the direct, public interrogation of Jesus by the Jewish leadership.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:1 effectively uses **Foreshadowing** and **Juxtaposition**. The sudden appearance of the chief priests, scribes, and elders "coming upon" Jesus immediately foreshadows the escalating conflict and ultimate rejection that will lead to His crucifixion. Their intent is clearly adversarial, setting a tense tone for the events to follow. This is powerfully juxtaposed with Jesus' peaceful and purposeful activity of "teaching the people in the temple, and preached the gospel." The image of Jesus calmly proclaiming truth amidst the bustling Temple courts, while the powerful religious establishment converges on Him with hostile intent, highlights the clash between divine authority and human opposition, and the purity of Jesus' mission against the corrupt motives of His adversaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:1 serves as a critical juncture, highlighting the inevitable clash between the light of God's truth, embodied in Jesus, and the spiritual darkness of those who cling to human power and tradition. Jesus' steadfastness in proclaiming the gospel, even as His life is threatened, underscores the divine imperative of His mission. This encounter also reveals the blindness and hardness of heart among those who should have been the first to recognize and embrace the Messiah, choosing instead to reject the very truth they claimed to uphold. The scene sets the stage for a profound theological discourse on authority, truth, and the nature of God's kingdom, contrasting Jesus' divine mandate with the self-serving authority of the religious elite.

* [Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - Jesus' Authority Questioned")
* [Mark 11:27](/mark/11-27 "Mark 11:27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged")
* [John 7:45-48](/john/7-45-48 "John 7:45-48 - Officers Report to the Chief Priests")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:1 offers profound insights for believers today. Jesus' unwavering commitment to teaching and preaching the gospel, even in the face of formidable opposition and imminent danger, serves as a powerful model of faithfulness. It reminds us that proclaiming God's truth is not always met with acceptance; often, it provokes resistance, especially from those whose established systems or comfort are challenged. For us, this means cultivating courage to share the good news of Jesus Christ, even when it is unpopular or met with skepticism. It also calls us to examine our own hearts: do we seek to control or manipulate truth for personal gain, or do we humbly submit to and proclaim the authentic authority of God's Word? The passage encourages us to prioritize the divine mission over personal safety or societal approval, trusting that God's truth will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to compromise the truth of the gospel for the sake of comfort or acceptance?**
* **How does Jesus' example of teaching and preaching amidst opposition encourage me in my own witness?**
* **What "authorities" in my life or culture might be challenging the true authority of Christ, and how should I respond?**

### FAQ
**Why were the chief priests, scribes, and elders so opposed to Jesus?**

Answer: Their opposition stemmed from several factors. Primarily, Jesus' teachings and actions directly challenged their authority, interpretations of the Law, and established religious traditions. His popularity among the common people threatened their power and influence. Furthermore, Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and self-righteousness, calling them out for their spiritual blindness and love of worldly honor. They feared that His movement could provoke a Roman crackdown, jeopardizing their positions and the fragile peace they maintained. This deep-seated animosity is evident throughout the Gospels, particularly as Jesus' ministry culminates in Jerusalem, as seen in passages like [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:1, with Jesus teaching and proclaiming the gospel in the Temple, while being confronted by the religious authorities, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate role as the authoritative Teacher and the Christ who fulfills all righteousness. His teaching in the Temple, the heart of Jewish worship, signifies that He is the true embodiment of divine wisdom, surpassing all previous prophets and teachers. The gospel He preaches is the good news of God's kingdom, which He Himself inaugurates through His life, death, and resurrection. The opposition from the chief priests, scribes, and elders, representing the old covenant's failing leadership, highlights the necessity of a new covenant, established through Christ's perfect sacrifice. Their challenge to His authority ultimately leads to His crucifixion, which, far from being a defeat, is the very means by which God's redemptive plan is fulfilled, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Jesus, the Lamb of God, willingly submits to their unjust judgment to become the atoning sacrifice, demonstrating His supreme authority over sin and death, thereby ushering in the new era of salvation for all who believe, as proclaimed by Peter in [Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:23

¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Matthew 21:27

And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

1 Chronicles 24:1

¶ Now [these are] the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:31

These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.

Acts 6:12

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,

John 18:20

Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

Acts 4:1

¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,