Luke 20:5
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 20:5
5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
Chapter Context
Luke 20 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, judgment, salvation. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-47: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it foreshadows Christ's work through typology and prophetic elements. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 20:5
5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
Analysis
If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? The leaders' private deliberation (συνελογίσαντο, synelogisanto, "they reasoned together") reveals political calculation, not pursuit of truth. They recognize the logical trap: acknowledging John's divine commission requires explaining why they rejected his ministry and refused his baptism of repentance.
The phrase "believed ye him not" (οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε, ouk episteusate) exposes the heart issue. Belief (πιστεύω, pisteuō) means trust, commitment, acceptance—not mere intellectual acknowledgment. They didn't believe John because accepting his message would require repentance, and repentance would mean admitting their religious system needed fundamental reform. Their rejection of John wasn't theological but moral—they loved their position more than truth. This same resistance now blinds them to Jesus, whom John testified about.
Historical Context
Luke 7:29-30 records that "all the people that heard [John], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." The religious establishment's rejection of John was deliberate and public. They couldn't now claim he was God's prophet without admitting they'd rejected God's messenger—an intolerable admission for those claiming to represent God's authority on earth.
Reflection
- How does political calculation about religious truth reveal a heart that has already rejected God?
- What does the leaders' reasoning process teach about the difference between seeking truth and protecting position?
- In what ways do believers today sometimes reject clear divine authority because accepting it would require uncomfortable change?
Word Studies
- Believe: πιστεύω (Pisteuo) G4100 - To believe, trust, have faith