Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/29) Luke 22:47-53

May29

A 5-day per week study.

May 29 – Reading Luke 22:47-53

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”  Luke 22:48

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus had just spent hours in agonized prayer about His upcoming ordeal, to the point that He was sweating blood.  He despised the shame of the cross, but for the joy set before Him, He would endure it. (Hebrews 12:2)  He stands and awakens His disciples, scolding them for not praying too.  He knows the crowd was coming – not for His teaching or healing this time – but for His life.

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Vss. 22:47-48.

First to walk up the path from the Holy City to Gethsemane was Judas.  He had promised the Jewish religious leaders that he would betray Jesus to them “in the absence of a crowd.”

He knew the quiet place where Jesus often came to rest and be alone with His disciples. So, he led them, “a great crowd with torches, swords, and clubs,” to the place.

This crowd included a “cohort” of (600) Roman soldiers (the ones with swords) and armed temple guards from the Sanhedrin (with clubs). (The religious leaders had included the Roman soldiers because they needed permission to arrest a man for the death penalty.)

Judas had promised. Now he was delivering.

Judas had told them exactly how they would know which man to arrest.  He would go to Jesus and greet Him with a kiss. That would be the sign.  They could then move in and arrest Him.

But when Judas grew near to kiss Him, Jesus quietly asked his wayward disciple,

“Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Judas may have hesitated, but both Matthew and Mark tell us he followed through with an embrace and kiss on Jesus’ cheek, usually the most intimate and affectionate demonstration of love.

The guards moved in quickly after this “sign.”

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Vss. 22:49-51.

The other disciples were thoroughly awake now. They took in the situation and decided it was time to act, to defend their Master.

“Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

Surely this was Peter who spoke. He immediately withdrew his short sword and took a swing at the closest person.  It was the servant of the high priest (Caiaphas).  Peter missed lopping off his head, and instead, the man’s ear was sliced off.

“No more of this!”  Jesus cried. He then turned and healed the servant’s ear.

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Vss. 22:52-54.

This startling incident briefly paused the arrest as they stared at the healed man. Jesus turned to the chief priests and officers of the temple and the elders who’d come up from behind and said,

“Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me!”

Then it was as if Jesus sighed.

“But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

They could have arrested Him at any time while he was in the city, but they chose to do it in the night, reflecting the darkness of their hearts.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/28) Luke 22:39-46

May28

A 5-day per week study.

May 28 – Reading Luke 22:39-46

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”  Luke 22:42.

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus and His disciples celebrate Passover together for the last time.  Jesus begins instructing them on what the bread He breaks, and the wine He pours, mean – His body broken, and His blood poured out for them. The New Covenant – atonement for their sins and their salvation.  “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Jesus tells Judas to leave, and Peter that he will deny Him three times that night.

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Vss. 22:39-42.

After the Passover meal, Jesus and the eleven went out of the city, crossed the Kidron Brook, and, as was His custom, went to the Mount of Olives.

When they came to “the place” (the garden of Gethsemane, or olive press), Jesus told them to “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

He then went off a little way alone and knelt down to pray.

HIS prayer was quite different.

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.

Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”

His “cup” (or baptism as He called it yesterday) was full to the top with physical suffering, spiritual anguish, humiliation, bearing our sin, and experiencing the wrath and forsaking of God, His Father.

Jesus knew what was coming. His perfect, sinless self was about to be desecrated and abandoned … in our place.

Jesus prayed this request and submission three times, between returning to urge His three inner-circle disciples to “watch” with Him. (See Matthew 26 and Mark 14.)

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Vss. 22:42-46.

Only “doctor” Luke records the following.

And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

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(This is a dangerous condition known as hematidrosis, the infusion of a person’s blood and sweat. Deep capillaries dilate and burst, mingling the two. It can be caused by extreme anguish or physical strain. Jesus Himself said that His distress brought Him to the threshold of death. (Matthew 26:38, Mark 14:34) (Also Hebrews 12:3-4)

Even before the cross, Jesus shed His blood for us sinners.

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Finally, Jesus rose and went to his sleeping disciples.  Sure, it was late. Sure, they had just eaten a big meal that included 5 glasses of wine.  BUT THEIR LORD had not slept.

“Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation!”

Their lack of prayer, as Jesus had urged them, probably accounted for their behavior later when the mob came for Jesus.

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(Ah, Lord Jesus, we are so weak and fleshly. We are the sinners YOU came to experience such anguish and pain for. We deserve no such kindness and sacrifice!  Thank YOU for your mercy and grace!)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/27) Luke 22:7-38

May27

A 5-day per week study.

May 27 – Reading Luke 22:7-38

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Do this in remembrance of Me.”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke

Review – The Jews wanted Jesus dead, but they were afraid to act at Passover time for fear of the people.  Satan entered into Judas.  He went to the Jewish leaders and promised to betray Jesus to them … “in the absence of a crowd.”  They agreed and paid him.  They were thinking AFTER Passover week, but God had another timetable. Jesus was to be the ultimate Passover Lamb.

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Vss. 22:7-13.

“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.”

Jesus told Peter and John to prepare the meal so they could all eat the Passover together. When they asked about the location, Jesus gave them detailed instructions.  (This was kind of like when Jesus sent for the donkey colt to ride into Jerusalem.)  God had prepared hearts beforehand.

They were to look for the man carrying a water jug.  In a city packed with crowds of people, how would they find ONE MAN??  Easy.  It was a WOMAN’S job to go to the well to collect water.  A MAN doing it would certainly stand out.

They were to follow that man and ask the homeowner to show them the furnished upper guest room.  They did and found every detail as Jesus said.  They prepared all the necessary accouterments, besides the lamb, unleavened bread, and wine.

When the hour came, they were all there: Jesus and the twelve.

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Vss. 22:14-23.

Jesus really wanted to eat this Passover with His men, as it would be His last before the coming Kingdom … and before He was crucified.

After the meal, Jesus took the bread, and after giving thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given to you.  Do this in remembrance of me.

Then Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Jesus then made a chilling announcement.  “But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me at the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

And they turned to each other in distress, asking which of them could DO THIS THING!  The eleven never suspected Judas. To them, he looked like a true disciple. The other gospels have the disciples each asking, “Is it I?”  Finally, Peter signaled to John to ask Jesus, and Jesus indicated Judas.  Then the betrayer left.

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Vss. 22:24-30.

Then these “fleshly fools” turned to each other and disputed who was the “greatest.”  Not the traitor, but the greatest disciple. jSEROIUSLY??

Jesus (after probably sighing) told them not to act like the Gentiles.  Rather, let the greatest become as the least, and the leader become the one who serves.   “I am one among you as the one who serves.  And, I assign to you that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Whoa, that must have startled them.

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Vss. 22:31-34

Jesus must have noticed Peter looking pretty proud about then, and he said to his “big fisherman leader,”  “Simon, Simon, behold Satan demanded to HAVE you, that he might sift you like wheat…”  (WOW, was Judas the devil’s second choice??)

Jesus continued, “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have turned again (repented), strengthen your brothers.”  (Peter wouldn’t betray Jesus, but he would deny and curse Him.)

PETER:  “LORD, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!!”

Jesus answered his pledge kindly, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times… that you know me.”

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Vss. 35-38.

Jesus reminded them, when He sent them out on mission trips, that they were to take nothing extra but live on what was given to them.

But NOW, he said, “Let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in ME … ‘and He was numbered with the transgressors (criminals).’ 

“What is written about me has its fulfillment.”

Yes, the disciples were confused. (I certainly would be!) They had no idea what Jesus was talking about, or what was to happen, beginning in just a few hours.  A couple of them said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords!”

Knowing they did not understand, I imagine Him sighing again, then saying: “It is enough.”  (enough of such talk)

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(One of those swords will appear in the following verses, tomorrow.)

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/26) Luke 22:1-6

May26

A 5-day per week study.

May 26 – Reading Luke 22:1-6


Read and believe in Jesus.

“And the chief priests and scribes were seeking how to put Him to death…”  Luke 

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus foretold of wars, persecution, the destruction of Jerusalem, and His return in power and glory. He uses a fig tree to illustrate, and gives a final warning to “watch, stay awake, and pray for strength.”

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Vss. 22:1-2.

It’s Passover time. 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was seven days long, with the Passover meal taking place on the first day. 

(NOTE: On the first day, the lambs were killed and then eaten that evening. For the next six days, NO LEAVEN could be eaten or even be found in the house.  This was to remember Israel’s hurried escape from Captivity after the firstborn of Egypt were killed, while the blood of the lamb on the doorposts caused the Death Angel to “pass over” their homes.  They then had to escape Egypt THAT NIGHT.  There was no time to let the bread rise and bake.  They took dough without leaven (carried in bowls on their backs), which could be baked quickly on an open fire. These later would become what we know as Matso crackers.)

Anyway, the Jewish religious leaders wanted Jesus dead, but NOT at Passover. They preferred for the deed to be done AFTER the seven days, when Jerusalem was not filled with people, many of whom thought Jesus was the soon-to-be king.

Nevertheless, when Judas offered to betray Jesus, they were glad and gave him money to do it. (Matthew says 30 pieces of silver.)  Judas then sought an opportunity to betray Jesus “in the absence of a crowd.”   The Jews meant AFTER Passover, but God had a different plan. Jesus was to become THE Passover Lamb, who would save whoever trusted in Him from the curse of death.

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Vss. 12:3-6

“Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.”

(Iscariot, or Ish Kerioth, simply means “a man of the town of Kerioth in Judea.” Judas was not from Galilee like the others.)

Judas was possessed by Satan himself, not by a demon. Satan actually entered into Judas here, and later at the Passover meal (Last Supper), when Jesus excused him and said, “What you are going to do, do it quickly.”

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And so begins the “hour” Jesus had anticipated throughout His ministry.  The very reason He left Heaven.  To redeem mankind from the curse of death.  Our Salvation. 

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense = GRACE.

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/25) Luke 21:20-37

May25

A 5-day per week study

Read and Believe in Jesus

“But stay awake at all times, praying….” Luke 21:36

The Gospel according to Luke.

REVIEW – Jesus commended the offering of a poor widow while condemning the ruthlessness of the scribes for “devouring widows’ houses.” Then Jesus told about the signs of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., which also mingle with events of the great tribulation.

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Vss. 21:21:24.

Jesus foretells the dark future of Jerusalem, both in 70 A.D. and when the final “abomination of desolation” comes in the end times. It will be a horrible time for the Jews. Titus introduced the “times of the Gentiles” with his destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying away of millions of Jewish slaves. It begins a time when Israel is temporarily set aside. It is also a time of grace for Gentiles who believe and trust in Jesus. They will be “grafted into the stock of Israel. These “times” will end when Jesus returns with power and establishes the promised Millennial Kingdom on earth.

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Vss. 21:25-28.

Signs in the sun, moon, and stars, as well as distress and perplexity on earth, are signs of Jesus’ second coming. People will faint with fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world.

(Sounds like these days we are living in, right?)

But Jesus tells the faithful that when they begin to see these things take place… “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.)

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Vss. 21:29-36.

Jesus then gives an example of the fig tree. (Actually, all trees). When they see trees begin to leaf out, they KNOW that summer is near. So also, when they see the signs Jesus spoke about, they will KNOW that His coming is about to happen.

Indeed, Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, THIS generation (the one who sees these signs) will not pass away until all has taken place.

(Could this be OUR generation?)

Did His listeners look at Him (and the great stones of the temple) and feel skeptical? Jesus responds. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will NOT pass away.”

Jesus then gives a stern warning to them … and to us …

“Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. (For it WILL come upon ALL who dwell on the face of the WHOLE earth!) “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have STRENGTH to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

How did the people who heard Him react to these words? Probably like people today, when we tell them that Jesus is coming soon, and to prepare! Come to Jesus and be saved!

Did they shrug and think, “Oh, that can’t happen in my lifetime. That’s way far off. I have things to do … places to go… people to see… I’ll think of this another time.”

Oh, LORD, save us!

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Vss. 21:37-38.

“Every day, He was teaching in the temple. (Jesus will remind the Jewish leaders of this when they arrest Him.)

“But at night, He went out and lodged on the Mount of Olives.

Then every morning, early, Jesus went to the temple. And all the people came to hear Him teach.

(And the ruthless Jewish leaders’ hands were tied. But the “people” didn’t stop their murderous intentions, as they supposed. It was God, the Father, who was perfectly orchestrating everything. Jesus, the Lamb of God, would die at Passover. And His blood applied to all who believed and obeyed would save them (and us) from death. Eternal death.

Thank You, Jesus.

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(I use the 2010 MacArthur Study Bible, English Standard Version, for my studies.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/22) Luke 21:1-19.

May22

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“…you will be brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”  Luke 21:12b-13

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – While Jesus taught at the Temple, the Sadducees, Pharisees, and others tried to trick Him with their questions. But His answers stumped them, and when He asked THEM a question, they silently went away,

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Vss. 21:1-4.

At the end of chapter 20, Jesus warned the people to beware of the ways of the scribes (Pharisees), because, among other ridiculous things, they “..devour widows’ houses..” This was a practice in which pious religious leaders would visit newly widowed and vulnerable women and persuade them to give all their inherited possessions to the “religious community.” It would be a “donation to God,” and “what their husbands would have wanted.” This usually left the new widows bankrupt, and the temple coffers bulging. Jesus hated the practice of “devouring widows’ houses.”

Now, it seems that when Jesus lifted His eyes, there, in front of them, was just such a desperately poor widow. (Righteous anger for her must have burned in Him for what those scribes had done. But for the woman, herself, noting but love and tenderness and admiration.

As this widow dropped two tiny copper coins into the temple offering box (ALL that she had, says Mark 12:42), Jesus commended her. “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them (the rich). For they all contributed out of their ABUNDANCE, but she out of her POVERTY, put in all she had to live on.”

(This makes me feel convicted. When I drop 10% or even 20% into the offering box, I often feel so “righteous.” But I would be giving out of “my abundance.” LORD, help me to be generous (even till it hurts) with all You’ve given me!”)

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Vss. 21:5-6.

While Jesus continued to sit in the temple courtyard, watching the people with His disciples, He heard a comment about how beautiful the temple was and how it was adorned with noble stones and decorations (donations from the wealthy). And although this temple was not as grand as Solomon’s, Herod had done a pretty amazing job at renovating the old one. It was almost gaudy-beautiful.

Still, Jesus knew its future was less than 40 years….

“As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will ot be thrown down.”

Shocking words. It would be like someone saying this about the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House. Unimaginable. Still, the God of the universe knew everything from eternity past to eternity future, and Jesus spoke the truth.

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Vss. 21:7-19.

Horrified, the disciples and people around Jesus wanted to know WHEN this would happen and WHAT the warning signs of imminent destruction would be.

Jesus listed a few “signs of the times,” mingling the horrors of 40 A.D. and Titus’ destruction of Jerusalem, with the signs of the Great Tribulation, still future to us.

  1. Many would come, claiming to be the Messiah.
  2. They would hear of wars and tumults.
  3. Nations fighting nations would be common.
  4. Earthquakes would be everywhere.
  5. Famines and plagues (viruses) would come.
  6. Terrible signs in the sky would appear.
  7. Severe persecution would come.
  8. Family betrayals unto death would be common.
  9. Martyrdom.

Then Jesus says some amazing words that speak to a believer’s ETERNAL SECURITY even in the face of martyrdom.

“But not a hair of your head will PERISH. By your endurance, you will GAIN your lives.

John 10:28-29 makes this even clearer. “I (Jesus) give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

True believers are double-protected, in the hands of Christ underneath, and the hands of God Almighty above. Completely covered and protected FOR ETERNITY, though we may suffer loss and death in the horrific times to come (as many Jews did in 40 A.D.).

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(I use the 2010 MacArthur Study Bible, English Standard Version, for my studies.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/21) Luke 20:21-47.

May21

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“They were not able in the presence of the people to catch Him in what He said, but marveling at His answers, they became silent.”  Luke 20:26

The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – In the temple, Jesus taught and told a parable that infuriated the religious leaders. A vineyard owner, his tenants, his servants, and his son are all in the story. THEY know it’s about their faulty oversight of Israel. And they hate Jesus even more.

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Vss. 20:21-26.

After that scathing parable, the Jewish leaders tried even harder to catch Jesus. They sent “spies” who seemed “honest” but who asked Him controversial questions in hopes Jesus would say something indictable.

#1. The first was so obvious.

“Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”

(In other words, should godly people pay taxes to an ungodly government. (A good question for today, too.)

Of course, Jesus saw right through their craftiness. “Show me a denarius. (They did.) “Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”

They knew, but they looked anyway. “Caesar’s.”

“Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

(And the first set of spies left, defeated and silent.)

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Vss. 20:27-

#2. The second came from a delegation of Sadducees (or chief priests), who did NOT believe in a bodily resurrection. (This made them … Sad, you see!)

‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.”

This WAS a provision given by Moses to help carry on the line of ownership for Israel in a new land. It was not compulsory, but a single brother sharing an estate might be looked down upon if he refused to do this for his brother’s line. (See Deuteronomy 25:5-10)

But these Sadducees carried the example to absurdity, suggesting that this poor widow went through seven brothers without producing an heir, leaving them all dead. (We might call her a “black widow!”) “In the resurrection (if there IS one) whose wife would she be?” they asked, believing they’d “caught” Jesus.

You can almost see Jesus rolling His eyes. Matthew’s account begins with Jesus correcting them, “You are wrong because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.” Here, in Luke, Jesus merely explains that there is no marriage in the resurrection. Those who have attained heaven are equal to angels. There is also no death, because God is the God of the living, and all the resurrected live in Him.

The Sadducees were stumped. But some of the scribes (Pharisees, who did believe in bodily resurrection) thought Jesus had “spoken well.” And they no longer tried to trick Him with their questions.

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Vss. 20 41-47.

But Jesus had a question of His own, one that left them speechless, fearful of answering either way.

“How can they say that the Christ (Messiah) is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, (110:1) ‘The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ “David thus calls ‘LORD,’ so how is He his son?“

Then Jesus, in the hearing of ALL the people, said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes (Pharisees), who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.“

This is not the first time Jesus warned His disciples about the Pharisees – not the men themselves, but their hypocrisy – teaching extreme righteousness but acting entirely differently.

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(I use the 2010 MacArthur Study Bible, English Standard Version, for my studies.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/20) Luke 20:1-20.

May20

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Tell us, by what authority do you do these things… who gave you this authority?”  Luke 20:2

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus rode triumphant into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the cheers of the crowds and wild expectations of His disciples … and the terror of the religious leaders. He cleansed the Temple and then taught there, and the temple authorities could do NOTHING against Him….yet.

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Vss. 20:1-8.

Smarting at having lost all their income from the marketplace in the Temple courtyard, these three groups of religious leaders accosted Jesus while He was teaching and preaching the gospel … in that very Temple courtyard.

“WHAT authority do you have to do this? WHO gave you this authority? They said, fists on hips, evil in their eyes.

“I’ll ask YOU a question,” said Jesus calmly. “Was the baptism of John from heaven (God) or from man?

The accusers muttered among themselves, seeing that Jesus had them over a barrel. No matter which way they answered His question, they were in trouble. So … “We do not know where it came from,” they finally spat out.

Jesus knew their dilemma. If they said John’s ministry was God-given, then the question was, why didn’t they heed it? If they said it was by John’s own doing, the people would attempt to stone them because they believed (rightly) that John was a prophet of God.

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Vss, 20 9-15.

Jesus then tells a parable to those religious leaders (about themselves – would they understand?) The people around Jesus also listened intently.

“A man planted a vineyard…”

Right away, the song in Isaiah 5:1-7 must have come to mind, at least to these teachers of the Law. It is the story of Israel portrayed as a vineyard. The men (and maybe the general people) would know what this story was going to be about.

A vineyard = Israel. But who are the characters? Jesus would make that plain.

In Jesus’s parable, He tells of the landowner (representing God) going to a far country for a long while, leaving his vineyard in the care of the tenant farmers.

(Who, but the Jewish leaders, could be represented by the tenants? THEY knew, and so did the people listening to the parable.)

Jesus continues. Harvest time came, and the landowner sent his servant to collect the crop (money earned). But these tenants beat up the servant and sent him away empty-handed.

The landowner sent another servant, perhaps a more forceful one, but the greedy tenants treated him shamefully and sent him packing as well.

The landowner sent a third servant to collect his due. The now-confident tenants wounded him and threw him out without the landowners’ wages.

These servants the landowner sent represented the prophets God sent to Israel, hoping to turn them from their wicked ways and give Him the worship due to Him. Often, the religious leaders in Israel’s history disregarded and often tortured and killed God’s prophets.

Was the crowd around Jesus “getting the picture?”

Jesus continued, “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” WHO but Jesus Himself was Jesus portraying?

But the murderous tenants threw the son out of the vineyard and killed him, believing that now the vineyard would be THEIRS.

Did Jesus gaze at those religious leaders standing around? Of course, He knew their murderous hearts, plotting HOW they might catch Him and kill Him.

Jesus asks a question to the people and those religious leaders, “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? His answer shocked them.

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Vss. 20:16-20.

Jesus said forcefully, “He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others!”

Whoa, did that ever cause a reaction!

“SURELY NOT!” Exclaimed the crowd. Yes, they understood very well what Jesus was saying. Israel without their priests and teachers!

But Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:13-15. HE was the “stone” that the builders rejected. But HE would become the Cornerstone of the new order.

“The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces.” And, “When this stone falls on anyone, it will crush him.” Whether a vase falls on a rock or a rock falls on a vase, the result is the same. Both those who are not interested in Christ and those who hate Him… the result is the same. They will be crushed.

Okay, the scribes and chief priests knew that Jesus told this parable against them.

They sought to lay hands on Jesus that very hour, but … they feared the people. So they watched Him. And they sent spies who pretended to be sincere to “catch Him” in something He said. They wanted to deliver Jesus up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor (Pilate).

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In tomorrow’s reading, we will see some of these attempts by quasi-sincere questioners. Jesus knows. He always gets the better of them.

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(I use the 2010 MacArthur Study Bible, English Standard Version, for my studies.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/19) Luke 19:28-48.

May19

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus told a parable about a nobleman, his servants, and his citizens, that, if the disciples and religious leaders were truly listening, would have explained just how and when Jesus would set up His Kingdom on earth. It would be in the future, not during the coming Passover in Jerusalem, which the disciples eagerly anticipated and the religious leaders desperately wanted to prevent.

Today’s lesson would ramp up the disciples’ hopes and terrorize the religious leaders.

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Vss. 28-35.

After telling the parable, Jesus left Jericho and traveled up the road towards Jerusalem. When He came to Bethphage and Bethany on the Eastern brow of the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples on a mission.

“Go into the village in front of you, where, upon entering, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'”

The two disciples went into the village, found the colt, and answered the questioning owner just as Jesus told them. They brought the young donkey to Jesus, threw their cloaks on its back, and set Jesus on it.

(Now this was a miracle in itself. If you have ever been around horses or donkeys, you know that an unbroken animal would not stand still as a person perched on its back, but would shy away and even buck. AND, besides that, flapping cloaks thrown over its back would have totally spooked it. — BUT, this was Jesus. This young donkey was as chosen for this task as the disciples were for the ministry He had for them. Like the wind and sea, the colt knew its Creator. Perhaps it even knew its destiny to carry the King of the Jews into the Holy City, NOT for coronation, but for execution.)

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Vss. 36-40.

As Jesus rode along the descending Mount of Olives, over the Kidron Brook, and then into the City of God, the growing crowd spread their cloaks on the road. The other Gospels tell of them cutting palm branches and waving them before Jesus, calling “Hosannah.”

Luke tells us Jesus’ disciples really got “into” the rejoicing too. YES!! THIS WAS IT! JESUS WOULD NOW DECLARE HIMSELF KING!

They and the crowds began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

And Jesus allowed it. He WAS their King, but His time to set up the kingdom was not now. He had to “go away” for a time, just as the nobleman did in yesterday’s parable. But the day would come when He would return to set up His kingdom.

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd, in a panic, called to Jesus. “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” This was a strong claim to deity, and perhaps reflected Habakkuk 2:11.

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Vss. 41-44.

Luke is the only one who recorded Jesus weeping over Jerusalem at this point. They had been calling out, “peace and glory,” but Jesus longed for them to know what/who could truly bring them peace. “But now, the things are hidden from your eyes.”

Then (and WERE THEY LISTENING??) Jesus foretold of the time in less than 40 years, when “enemies would set up a barricade around the city and tear down its walls to the ground, not leaving one stone upon another.” Why would this happen? Because Jerusalem and her people did NOT recognize their Messiah. Not a king to ruin Rome, but a Messiah to rule their hearts in righteousness. No wonder Jesus wept.

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Vss. 45-48.

Later, with the donkey returned, Jesus is drawn to the Temple, His Father’s House, the place where Israel was “supposed” to meet with their God. Instead, the courtyard is again filled with noise, filth, and buying and selling, with no sense of holiness or worship. Yes, it is Passover, and lambs needed to be purchased. The temple tax was due, and coins of other lands needed to be exchanged for shekels. BUT, in the House of the Living God???

Jesus began to drive out those who sold, crying, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!“

Then, with it cleansed, Jesus came there daily to teach. And the people were all hanging on His words.

But the chief priests (Sadducees, rulers of the temple), scribes (Pharisees, experts in the law and traditions), and the principal men of the people (prominent Jewish laymen with influence in temple affairs) were seeking to destroy Him. And although Jesus was now in the very heart of the opposition … they did not find anything they could do.

(I use the 2010 MacArthur Study Bible, English Standard Version, for my studies.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/18) Luke 19:11-27.

May18

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“.”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Last time was the wonderful story of the “short” Tax Collector, Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree to see Jesus.  But Jesus saw him first and desired to fellowship with him.  Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus into his home and heart.  The evidence of his true conversion was the abundance of giving back and restitution. (Unlike the rich, young ruler, Jesus meant much more to Zacchaeus than all he possessed, even though he was also very rich.  (Oh, for such a hungry heart!)

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Vs. 11.

  1. Because of who Zacchaeus was and what he had done with all his MONEY after meeting Jesus, and …
  2. Because Jesus was getting close to Jerusalem, and his followers “supposed” He would now take the Kingdom NOW, overthrow Rome, and rule (and they would be by His side) …
  3. And because the Jews were “circling” Jesus, like beasts of prey …
  4. Because of these things … Jesus told this parable about a Nobleman who went away to a FAR country to receive his kingdom, and then returned to settle his affairs.

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Vss. 12-15.

There are three main characters in this parable: the Nobleman, His servants, and His citizens. See if you can guess who each represents.

The nobleman, of course, illustrates Jesus, who would soon depart to receive His kingdom … and ONE DAY return to rule.

  • (Kings in Roman provinces like Galilee actually went to Rome to receive their kingdoms from the Emperor. This was true of the Herodian dynasty. The listening audience would know about this.)

Before the Nobleman left, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.  (A mina was worth about 100 days of salary.)  He told His servants to “Engage in business until I come.”  (The KJV says, “occupy until I come.”)

These are those who are left to represent Jesus on earth – true and false followers.

Then Jesus introduced another group of characters in the parable.  The “citizens” of his land HATED the nobleman and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to reign over us.”

  • (Actually, this happened in the case of Herod. The Jews sent a delegation to Rome saying they did NOT want him to reign over them.  But they were denied, and he returned as king for a while.)

These “citizens” represented the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day, who rejected Him as their Messiah, and were plotting even then to kill Him.

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Eventually, the Nobleman returned, having gained His Kingdom, and He called His servants to account, rewarding them in His Kingdom.

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Vss. 16-26.

In this accounting, the nobleman addresses only THREE servants, but let’s consider them representatives of the others.

The first came and presented ten minas for the one he was given. “Well done, good servant!  Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.”

The second came and presented five minas for the one he was given.  “And you are to be over fivc cities.”

Then another came with  “such an excuse!!”  “Here is your one mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man.  You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” 

Ah-oh!

  • (Could this servant represent those who profess to be followers of Jesus, but who are afraid to witness, and never mention His name or share the good news with someone? The “least” this servant could have done was to support those who DID spread the Gospel)

The nobleman answered, “You wicked servant!  I will condemn you with your own words.  If you knew I was that kind of man … why did you not put my money in the bank, and I would (at least) get it back with interest?”

And the nobleman gave this servant’s mina to the servant who had earned ten.

THEN, the nobleman dealt with his citizens (enemies), who hated him and didn’t want him to reign over them.   “Bring them here and slaughter them before me.”

WHOA!!

This is the end for those who reject Jesus.