Luke 20:5 – They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, we see the religious leaders huddling together, trying to figure out how to respond to Jesus’ question about John the Baptist’s authority. They’re caught in a dilemma: if they say that John’s authority was from God (“from heaven”), Jesus will immediately confront them with their own inconsistency. After all, if they believed John’s message was from God, they should have accepted John’s testimony that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:29-34). But they hadn’t.
Their hesitation shows their fear of being exposed. They weren’t concerned about finding the truth—they were worried about how their answer would affect their reputation and power. By not acknowledging that John’s authority was from God, they revealed their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to submit to God’s authority.
Historical Context
This conversation took place during Jesus’ final week before His crucifixion, inside the temple courts, where the religious leaders held great influence. They were the gatekeepers of religious authority, and their job was to teach and guide the people in spiritual matters. However, they had failed to do so because they prioritized their own power over God’s truth.
John the Baptist had preached repentance and prepared the way for Jesus, but the religious leaders largely rejected him because his message was a threat to their authority. By asking them to take a stance on John’s authority, Jesus forced them to confront their rejection of God’s messengers, a pattern that stretched back through Israel’s history.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals an important theological truth: rejecting God’s messengers is ultimately a rejection of God Himself. The religious leaders weren’t just rejecting John the Baptist—they were rejecting God’s call to repentance and, by extension, Jesus as the Messiah.
It also shows how pride and fear can blind people to the truth. The leaders knew that admitting John’s authority was from heaven would expose their failure to believe and obey God. Rather than humbling themselves and repenting, they chose to protect their image. This highlights the danger of valuing human approval over God’s approval (John 12:43).
Literary Analysis
Luke builds tension in this narrative by showing the internal struggle of the religious leaders. The phrase “they discussed it among themselves” indicates that they were not united in their response and were more focused on avoiding embarrassment than answering truthfully.
The structure of the dialogue is important. Their reasoning—“If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’”—shows that they were aware of their guilt. But instead of confessing it, they tried to find a way to avoid being exposed. Luke’s presentation of this dialogue exposes their hypocrisy and sets up Jesus’ ultimate victory over them in this confrontation.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 3:1-3 – John the Baptist’s role as the one who prepared the way for the Lord.
- John 1:29-34 – John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Luke 7:29-30 – The people, including tax collectors, acknowledged John’s message, but the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for them by rejecting John’s baptism.
- John 12:42-43 – Some religious leaders believed in Jesus but wouldn’t confess it openly because they feared losing the approval of others.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a warning against letting pride or fear of others’ opinions keep us from following God’s truth. The religious leaders were more concerned with protecting their status and avoiding public humiliation than they were with seeking the truth. Christians are called to stand for the truth, even when it’s inconvenient or when it challenges our comfort.
This verse also challenges believers to reflect on areas where they might be resisting God’s authority. Are there teachings in Scripture that we avoid because they’re difficult or unpopular? Just like the religious leaders, we can sometimes avoid confronting the truth if it means we’ll have to change.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in His patience, even with those who oppose Him. Instead of condemning the religious leaders immediately, Jesus engages them in conversation and gives them an opportunity to reflect and repent. God doesn’t want anyone to perish but desires that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
This verse also shows God’s love in how He consistently sends messengers to call His people back to Him. From John the Baptist to Jesus and beyond, God continually reaches out in love, even when people reject Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse ties directly to Jesus’ role as the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Messiah, but the religious leaders’ refusal to believe John led to their rejection of Jesus. Despite their opposition, Jesus continued to proclaim the truth and fulfill His mission to save humanity.
Jesus’ question about John’s authority ultimately points to His own authority. After His resurrection, Jesus declared that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). He wasn’t just another teacher—He was the Son of God, and His authority remains today as the foundation of the Christian faith.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why were the religious leaders so hesitant to acknowledge that John’s authority came from God?
- What does this verse teach us about the dangers of pride and fear in spiritual matters?
- Are there areas in your life where you struggle to admit the truth because it would require you to change?
- How can we prioritize God’s approval over the approval of others in our daily lives?
- How does knowing that Jesus’ authority comes from God give you confidence in your faith?