ELL Bible Study: Luke 20:1-8 — Who Gave Jesus Authority?

This Bible study lesson is for people who are learning English (ELL or ESL students). It is made for advanced beginner and intermediate English learners. Children who speak English or adults who prefer easy English may also enjoy it and learn from it.

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Luke 20:1-8 Printable Discussion Questions

Lesson Icebreaker Question

Have you ever had someone question if you were allowed to do something? What happened?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will hear a story about some leaders asking Jesus a hard question. We will see how Jesus answered them with wisdom. We will later learn that God gives Jesus his power.

Vocabulary List (GNT)

Argue — To speak to others in a strong way because you do not agree.
Authority — The right or power to do something.
Baptize — To dip a person in water to show they belong to God.
Chief Priests — Important religious leaders in the Temple.
Crowd — A large group of people.
Elders — Older men who were leaders in the community.
Good News — The message that God loves people and sent Jesus to save them.
Human Beings — Another way to say “people.”
Preaching — Speaking about God to teach people.
Prophet — A person who speaks messages from God.
Right — Permission or power to do something.
Stone — A small rock.
Temple — The special place where Jewish people worshipped God.

Summary of the Passage

This passage takes place when Jesus was teaching people in the Temple. The Temple was a very important place where people came to pray and worship God. As Jesus spoke, some leaders (called the chief priests), teachers of the Law, and elders came to him. These leaders did not like that Jesus was teaching and healing people.

They asked Jesus a hard question. They wanted to know who gave him the right to do these things. Jesus knew they did not really want to believe in him. So, he asked them a question too. He asked them if John the Baptist’s work came from God or from people.

The leaders started to argue with each other. They were afraid of the people because the crowd believed that John was a prophet from God. The leaders did not want to say “from God,” because then Jesus would ask why they did not believe John. But if they said “from people,” the crowd might get angry and throw stones at them.

So, the leaders told Jesus they did not know. Then, Jesus said he would not tell them by what right he did his work.

This passage teaches us that Jesus is wise and knows what is in people’s hearts. It shows us that some people did not believe Jesus, but he still kept teaching about God’s love.

Read The Passage

Most English learners should use the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV), or the Good News Translation (GNT). If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions.

Text from the ERV Bible Translation

Jewish Leaders Doubt Jesus’ Authority
20 One day Jesus was in the Temple area teaching the people.
He was telling them the Good News.
The leading priests, teachers of the law, and older Jewish leaders came to talk to Jesus.
2 They said,
“Tell us what authority you have to do these things.
Who gave you this authority?”
3 Jesus answered,
“I will ask you a question too.
Tell me:
4 When John baptized people, did his authority come from God or was it only from other people?”
5 The priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish leaders all talked about this.
They said to each other,
“If we answer,
‘John’s baptism was from God,’
then he will say,
‘Then why did you not believe John?’
6 But if we say that John’s baptism was from someone else, the people will stone us to death.
They all believe that John was a prophet.”
7 So they answered,
“We don’t know the answer.”
8 So Jesus said to them,
“Then I will not tell you who gave me the authority to do these things.”
Luke 20:1-8 (ERV)

Text from the GNT Bible Translation

The Question about Jesus’ Authority
1-2 One day when Jesus was in the Temple teaching the people and preaching the Good News, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law, together with the elders, came and said to him, “Tell us, what right do you have to do these things? Who gave you such right?”
3-4 Jesus answered them, “Now let me ask you a question. Tell me, did John’s right to baptize come from God or from human beings?”
5 They started to argue among themselves, “What shall we say? If we say, ‘From God,’ he will say, ‘Why, then, did you not believe John?’
6 But if we say, ‘From human beings,’ this whole crowd here will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
7 So they answered, “We don’t know where it came from.”
8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you, then, by what right I do these things.”
Luke 20:1-8 (GNT)

Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 20:1-8 (ERV)
Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 20:1-8 (NIRV)
Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 20:1-8 (GNT)
Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 20:1-8 (NLT)
Hard: New International Version: Luke 20:1-8 (NIV)
Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 20:1-8 (ESV)

Luke 20:1-8 Printable ERV Passage

Luke 20:1-8 Printable GNT Passage

Luke 20:1-8 Printable Discussion Questions

Comprehension Questions

Where was Jesus teaching in this story?
Who came to ask Jesus a question?
What did the leaders want to know from Jesus?
What question did Jesus ask them first?
Why were the leaders afraid to answer Jesus’ question?
What did the leaders finally say to Jesus?
What did Jesus say back to them?

Application Questions

Have you ever been afraid to answer a hard question?
Why do you think some people do not believe in Jesus?
How does this story show us that Jesus is wise?
What does this story teach us about trusting God even when others question us?

Theological Insights

God gives authority to Jesus.
Jesus teaches us with wisdom.
Some people do not believe in Jesus, but God’s plan still happens.
We should be careful to listen to God’s message and not reject it.
Even when people try to stop Jesus, God’s word keeps going.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to teach us about you. Help us to believe your words and trust you each day. Give us wisdom when people ask us hard questions. Amen.