Who Gave Jesus this Authority? - Luke 20:2

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him, and it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, ...”, and in chapter twenty and verse two of his book Luke shared how the religious leaders ask Jesus, “Tell us, by what authority do you these things? or who is he that gave you this authority?” where we read:

And spoke unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority do you these things?

or who is he that gave you this authority?

The verse reads, “And spoke unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority do you these things?” Luke began with the words, “and spoke unto him” or “and uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked Jesus”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and demanding”, “tell us” or “answer, bring word, grant and say to we religious leaders”, “by what authority” which means “with what sort or nature of power of choice and liberty of doing as one pleases both physically and mentally” “do you these things” or “do you, Jesus, perform, produce and make ready the things you are saying, declaring and doing”? Luke shared how the religious leaders desired for Jesus to answer what “power” gave Him the “choice and liberty” to do and say what He was doing and saying.

The verse continues, “or who is he that gave you this authority?” Luke added the words, “or who is he” or “or what person is the one” “that gave you this authority” which means “who granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied the power given to Him”? Luke shared how the “religious leaders” wondered who the person was that granted Jesus the “power” to do what He did and said.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “religious leaders” decided to ask Jesus about the “source” of His declarations and performances, and they wanted to know what person “granted” Him this “power”. Perhaps the “religious leaders” deemed themselves to be the only ones who could “grant” such power, and since they did not give Him the “authority” to do and say what He did, they wanted to know who did. God was the “source” of Jesus' authority, and those who understand this will know He sent His Son Jesus to be the “Savior and Lord” of all mankind. Only those who yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will fully appreciate the “power and authority” of Jesus' doings and sayings in this world. Let all who read these words yield their lives to Him.

Next time we see Luke share how Jesus answered, “I will also ask you one thing; and answer me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".