Day 99

Luke 20:41–21:4 (NIV)

⁴¹ Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? ⁴² David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand ⁴³ until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ ⁴⁴ David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

⁴⁵ While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁷ They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

¹ As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Helpful Info

‎vs 45-46 Like their Greek counterparts, some Jewish teachers wore a special identifying garb, in this case a long, white linen robe, similar to those of priests and temple officials. People normally greeted teachers with titles of honor; marketplaces, which were full of people, would provide many opportunities for teachers to receive such recognition. Seating at banquets marked one’s rank in society. (remember 14:7- 11) Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

vs 21:1-Thirteen trumpet-shaped receptacles in the temple forecourt by the Court of Women served to collect freewill offerings that were used to underwrite temple worship. Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What point is Jesus making in saying that the Christ is Lord of King David?

What are the things Jesus accuses the teachers of the law of doing against God? How would we see these types of things today?

What do we learn about how God values gifts given to Him? What is most important in giving according to Jesus?

Notes

vs 41-44 Jesus comments on Ps 110. Jesus denotes David as the author of the Psalm and thus how it starts out refers to God saying to David's Lord (the one with authority over David) that He will be sitting at the right hand of God. This means it is a position of power and prestige. It is a permanent position based on recognizing this one as sitting.

The point Jesus is making is that David, considered the beginner of the royal line of the Messiah, is saying that he has lower standing than this Messiah figure. This would be unusual because the elder is normally considered greater than his offspring. The Davidic line of Jesus has already been established by Luke in Luke 2:4. So Jesus is making an implied statement about His authority being over David

Also based on his conversation about afterlife it is another proof in there being one. David wouldn't have a Lord come after him if there was no resurrection from the dead.

This statement of the Christ's rule, sitting at the right hand of God and how He fulfills it is something He comes back to in 22:67

45-46 Remember it is the teachers of the law who enjoyed Jesus' rebuke of the Sadducees in 20:27-39.(see vs 39) Jesus makes it clear here that the teachers of the Law also fall short as authority figures. It becomes clear that Jesus is now the only one speaking with the authority of God.

The rebuke reminds us of the woe statements in 11:46-49 focused on the same group. This group was responsible for interpreting the law in everyday life. Jesus points out that these teachers of law have become more interested in their social position than in helping people live for God.

vs 47 In fact not only are they interested in their social position but they are taking advantage of the very people they are suppose to protect.

devouring widows’ houses- There were widows who worked in the temple courts. The property of the widows was suppose to be managed by the temple officials. It appears that the teachers of the law used their power to harm the interest of the widows in their rulings of law.

make lengthy prayers- it is not the length of the prayer as much as it is that the prayer is long to impress people, not pray to God.

Jesus once again notes that there is severe punishment for those who use religion for themselves and not to honor God.

vs 1-4 Where Jesus was teaching in the temple was where money was collected to help offset temple worship expenses. It would be readily seeable what people would put in. Some comment on why Jesus would be looking at those depositing their offering. First of all as God He has that right. Secondly it allows Him to make at point. Don't show favoritism to those who give a lot. It is not about the amount of the gift; rather it is about the sacrifice of the giver.