Luke 20:1-18
Jesus, acting like someone who thinks he is in charge, has entered Jerusalem triumphantly, thrown traders out of the Temple, and disrupted the Temple’s authority structure where the High Priest is the most senior figure and the religious leaders hold the power.* Who does Jesus think he is to come into these spaces? With what authority can he command and shake up these things?
This is just what the religious leaders, teachers, and elders ask as recorded by Luke. They were accustomed to doling out authority, and they certainly had not authorized this man from Galilee.
Jesus doesn’t skirt around the question, but answers through the storied event of his baptism by John. At his baptism, authority was given to Jesus with the descent of the dove and the voice from heaven (Mark 1:9-11).
Then Jesus follows his reply with a parable that distinguishes a new way of authority from an old way. He teaches, quite directly, that those who think they have authority are merely entrusted custodians of this vineyard. Ancient hearers, like us today, would clearly grasp that it is the landowner with the power and authority.* The tenants know this too, but here they act as if they are the ones with power. Is the landowner too naive, too benevolent? Why is he counting on the kindness of his tenants when their behavior has already proven poor? Why doesn’t the landowner come sooner to fix the scenario, restore justice, and judge the tenants?
Through Luke’s account, AJ teaches that Jesus is patient and merciful with us. Jesus has all power and authority, and Jesus uses all power and authority to lay his life down for the ultimate victory.
*Referenced:
N.T. Wright, Luke: For Everyone, 233-239.
Craig Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 2nd ed., 231-232.
