Luke 19:47 – “Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus is shown teaching daily in the temple after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the temple. His teaching is bold, public, and direct, as He confronts the religious leaders and the crowds with the truth of God’s kingdom. However, while Jesus is faithfully teaching, the religious leaders—chief priests, teachers of the law, and other influential figures—are plotting to kill Him.
This moment is a turning point leading up to the events of the crucifixion. The religious leaders see Jesus as a threat to their authority and influence. His teachings expose their hypocrisy and corruption, and they fear that the people’s growing admiration for Him will weaken their control. Instead of humbling themselves and repenting, they choose to conspire against Him, seeking a way to silence Him permanently.
The contrast in this verse is striking: Jesus is offering life and truth through His teaching, but the leaders are plotting death. It highlights the conflict between God’s plan of salvation and human rejection of His message. Despite the threats against Him, Jesus remains committed to His mission, knowing that His death will ultimately bring salvation to the world.
Historical Context
The temple was the center of religious, social, and political life in Jerusalem, making it the ideal place for Jesus to teach. Large crowds would gather there, especially during Passover, which was a time when thousands of pilgrims came to the city. Jesus’ daily teaching in the temple was a direct challenge to the religious leaders, as He was publicly exposing their failure to lead the people according to God’s will.
The chief priests, teachers of the law, and other leaders held significant power and influence over the people. The chief priests were responsible for overseeing temple worship and sacrifices, while the teachers of the law interpreted and taught the Scriptures. However, many of these leaders were more concerned with maintaining their power than with genuinely following God. Jesus’ teachings often criticized their legalism, hypocrisy, and lack of compassion, which is why they saw Him as a threat.
By this point in His ministry, the religious leaders had already made up their minds to get rid of Jesus. His cleansing of the temple was the final straw, as it directly challenged their authority and disrupted their corrupt practices. They were determined to find a way to kill Him, but they had to do it carefully to avoid sparking a revolt among the people, many of whom admired Jesus.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the conflict between God’s truth and human sinfulness. Jesus, the embodiment of God’s truth and love, is teaching the way to salvation, but the religious leaders reject Him because of their pride and desire for control. Their rejection of Jesus demonstrates the hardness of the human heart and the reality of spiritual blindness. John 1:11 says, “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.”
The religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus also illustrates the danger of religious hypocrisy. They were experts in the Scriptures, yet they failed to recognize the very One the Scriptures pointed to. Their outward appearance of righteousness masked their inward corruption, showing that religious knowledge alone is not enough—true faith requires humility and a heart that is open to God’s truth. Isaiah 29:13 warns about this, saying, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
Despite the opposition, Jesus continues to teach, demonstrating His obedience to God’s plan and His commitment to sharing the truth, even in the face of danger. This reflects His role as the faithful Servant of God, who is willing to endure suffering for the sake of saving others. Philippians 2:8 says, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Literary Analysis
Luke’s writing emphasizes the contrast between Jesus’ faithfulness and the religious leaders’ rejection. The phrase “every day he was teaching” highlights the consistency and dedication of Jesus’ ministry, while the phrase “trying to kill him” shows the persistence of the opposition against Him. This contrast sets the stage for the events leading up to the crucifixion, where the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders will reach its climax.
Luke also presents the religious leaders as a unified group—chief priests, teachers of the law, and other leaders—showing that their opposition to Jesus was not just personal but institutional. This collective opposition underscores the seriousness of the conflict and the extent to which the religious establishment had become corrupt.
The mention of the temple as the location of Jesus’ teaching is significant. The temple was meant to be a place of worship and learning about God, but it had become a place of corruption and exploitation. Jesus’ presence in the temple, teaching the truth of God’s kingdom, symbolizes His role in restoring true worship and calling people back to God.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 1:11 – “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” This verse highlights the rejection of Jesus by His own people.
- Isaiah 29:13 – “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” The religious leaders’ outward appearance of righteousness concealed their inner corruption.
- Luke 22:2 – “And the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.” This verse shows the leaders’ fear of the crowd and their secret plotting.
- Matthew 23:27-28 – Jesus rebukes the religious leaders, saying, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
- Philippians 2:8 – “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” This verse highlights Jesus’ obedience to God’s plan, even in the face of suffering and death.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder that faithfully following Jesus may bring opposition. Just as Jesus faced rejection and hostility from those in power, His followers may face criticism or persecution for standing up for God’s truth. However, Jesus’ example encourages us to remain faithful and committed to sharing the gospel, even when it is difficult. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This verse also challenges believers to examine their own hearts. The religious leaders were blinded by pride and a desire for control, preventing them from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. We must guard against the same attitudes of pride, self-righteousness, or resistance to God’s truth. Instead, we are called to approach God with humility and a willingness to be transformed by His Word.
Additionally, this verse reminds us of the power of God’s Word. Despite the opposition, Jesus continued to teach daily, knowing that God’s truth would not be silenced. As Christians, we are called to be faithful witnesses of God’s Word, trusting that it has the power to change hearts and lives, even in the face of rejection. Isaiah 55:11 says, “My word… will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in Jesus’ persistence in teaching the truth, even when He knows that it will lead to His death. His love for humanity is so great that He is willing to face rejection, suffering, and death in order to bring salvation. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is also evident in His patience. The religious leaders had many opportunities to repent and accept Jesus, but they hardened their hearts. Even so, Jesus continued to teach, giving them the chance to respond to the truth. This shows that God’s love is persistent, reaching out even to those who oppose Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse highlights Jesus’ role as the faithful and obedient Servant of God, who is committed to His mission despite opposition. His teaching in the temple fulfills His role as the one who reveals God’s truth and calls people to repentance. His willingness to face rejection and death points to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He will provide salvation for all who believe.
Jesus’ conflict with the religious leaders also reveals His authority as the Son of God. They rejected Him because they saw Him as a threat to their power, but His authority came directly from God. This conflict ultimately leads to the cross, where His death will accomplish God’s plan of redemption.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does Jesus’ persistence in teaching, even in the face of opposition, teach you about faithfulness?
- Are there areas in your life where pride or self-righteousness may be preventing you from fully accepting God’s truth?
- How can you remain committed to sharing the gospel, even when it is difficult or unpopular?
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of humility in recognizing and responding to God’s Word?
- How can you show God’s love to those who oppose or reject your faith, following Jesus’ example?
This verse challenges us to follow Jesus’ example of faithfulness and humility, trusting that God’s truth will prevail even in the face of opposition. As we share His Word and live out our faith, we can be confident that His love and power will accomplish His purposes.