Luke 20:17-47 ▼

17 then Jesus looking upon them, said, what is the meaning then of that expression, "the stone, which the builders rejected, is become the chief stone of the angle."

18 whoever falls upon that stone shall be bruised, but on whom it falls, it will crush him to pieces.

19 The chief priests, and the Scribes perceiving that he had applied this parable to them, were eager to seize upon him at that very time; but they were afraid of the people.

20 they watch'd then, and suborn'd spies, who under pretence of their tender consciences, might ensnare him in his discourse, and so betray him to the civil power and jurisdiction of the governor.

21 they address'd him therefore in this manner; master, we know that what you say and teach is all right, you are not influenc'd by the quality of men, but explain the divine law with sincerity:

22 should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no?

23 but Jesus perceiving their malicious design, said to them, why do you practise upon me?

24 show me a penny: whose image and inscription is this? they answer'd, Cesar's.

25 render then, said he, to Cesar, what belongs to Cesar, and to God, what belongs to God.

26 so not being able to take any advantage from his words, before the people, they said no more, being surpriz'd at his answer.

27 Afterwards some of the Pharisees, who deny there is any resurrection, accosted him with this question,

28 master, said they, Moses left it in writing, if any man has a brother, who dies in marriage without leaving children, he is obliged to take the widow, to perpetuate his brother's line.

29 now there were seven brothers, the first of which marry'd, and died without children.

30 the second after marrying the widow, died likewise without children.

31 then the third took her, and so she was married to all seven, who all died without leaving any children.

32 at last the woman died too.

33 at the resurrection therefore, to which of them will she be wife? for she had been married to all the seven.

34 Jesus answered, in this life men and women marry.

35 but they, who shall be accounted worthy to obtain the resurrection to an eternal life, shall have no concern in marriage, as being immortal:

36 for by the resurrection they will inherit a nature truely angelical and divine.

37 now that the dead are raised, may be inferr'd from Moses's relation concerning the bush, where he stiles the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

38 for he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, they are all then alive with respect to him.

39 which some of the Scribes approving, said to him, master, what you maintain is very just:

40 and after that they did not venture to ask him another question.

41 But Jesus said to them, you affirm the Messiah must be descended from David, how can that be?

42 for in the book of Psalms David himself says, "the Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand,

43 till I make thine enemies thy footstool."

44 if then David stiles the Messiah his Lord, how can he be descended from David?

45 then in the audience of all the people, he said to his disciples,

46 beware of the Scribes, who are fond of appearing in their long robes, affect to be saluted in publick, to have the upper hand in the synagogues, and at all entertainments.

47 who under the pretext of their long prayers devour the fortunes of widows, wherefore they shall be punish'd with greater severity.