Luke 20:1-8 – The implication in the challenge as to where Jesus’ authority came from was that the chief priests were the ones who granted such authority. They certainly didn’t, so what was he doing here? Jesus asking the question about John’s baptism was to answer their challenge with his own. If you think you should have the power to remove my authority to speak, show me that you’re worthy of it. They could not, so Jesus wouldn’t answer to them.
Luke 20:16 – I don’t get it – Why were the people shocked when Jesus said that the owner would destroy the wicked tenants who beat and mistreated 3 of his servants and killed his son? To me, that’s justice and I would have thought the crowd would have thought so too.
Luke 20:17-18 – I also don’t understand the connection of this OT scripture to the parable.
The key is verse 19:
because they knew he had spoken this parable against them
The wicked tenants were either all the Jews, or just the Rabbis. Most likely, though, it was the nation of Israel as a whole, all the Jews. Therefore the people were begging that the horrible end not come to pass.
The nation was about to throw out the Stone that was the Head of the corner, but when they threw Him, He would boomerang around and crush the thrower.
NT Wright has written extensively about how the Jews could understand the parable in no other way than about themselves. They knew that Christ was foretelling their demise.
I guess that makes sense. If it was clearly about me, well sure, have mercy on the murderers. Hard to see, from my perspective, how I’d identify with the tenants. Then again, I’m not a 0-th century Jew either. 😛
I’ve been thinking I need to read something by NT Wright, what would you suggest I start with? Won’t be soon, mind you …
Actually, his teeny little book on the Lord’s Prayer is a great start. Then maybe one of his books on Paul. Then his honkin’ big book on the resurrection was great.
omg! i totally agree with all you!!