The final chapters of the Gospel of Luke (chapters 20 to 24) in the King James Bible depict the last days of Jesus’ ministry, His confrontations with religious leaders, His arrest and crucifixion, and His glorious resurrection. These chapters are crucial to understanding Jesus’ mission, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the hope of eternal life through His resurrection. Let’s explore these key events and their significance.
Luke 20: Jesus Faces the Religious Leaders
In Luke 20, Jesus finds Himself under intense scrutiny by the religious leaders in Jerusalem. They question His authority, looking for ways to trap Him in His words. The chief priests and scribes ask Jesus by what authority He teaches and performs miracles. In response, Jesus poses a question about John the Baptist’s authority, putting them in a difficult position, which they fail to answer. This exchange illustrates how the religious leaders, though knowledgeable in the law, lacked true spiritual insight.
Jesus then tells the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (vineyard tenants), where a landowner sends servants to collect the fruit of his vineyard, but they are mistreated and killed. Finally, the landowner sends his son, whom the tenants also kill. This parable is a direct indictment of the Jewish leaders who rejected God’s prophets and would ultimately reject His Son, Jesus. Jesus warns them that “the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner” (Luke 20:17 KJV), pointing to Himself as the foundation of God’s plan of salvation.
Next, the religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus by asking whether it is lawful to pay tribute to Caesar. Jesus famously responds, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” (Luke 20:25 KJV), teaching that His kingdom is spiritual and not of this world.
The chapter closes with a question about the resurrection and marriage, where Jesus explains that in the resurrection, people “neither marry, nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:35 KJV) but are like angels. He affirms the reality of the resurrection and the eternal nature of God’s people.
Luke 21: Signs of the End and the Second Coming
In Luke 21, Jesus speaks about the future, delivering a prophecy concerning the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the signs that will accompany the end of the age. He warns His disciples to be on guard for false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, and famines. He also predicts the persecution that His followers will face, but assures them that endurance will lead to their salvation: “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19 KJV).
Jesus then speaks of the coming of the Son of Man with great power and glory. He urges His followers to be watchful and prepared, saying, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28 KJV). This chapter serves as a reminder that while believers may face trials and challenges, their hope is in the ultimate return of Christ.
Luke 22: The Last Supper and Betrayal
Chapter 22 begins with preparations for the Passover, during which Jesus gathers with His disciples for what would become known as the Last Supper. Jesus institutes the practice of communion, breaking bread and sharing wine as symbols of His body and blood, which would be sacrificed for the sins of humanity. He tells His disciples, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19 KJV).
During the meal, Jesus reveals that one of His disciples will betray Him. Judas Iscariot soon leaves to fulfill this dark prophecy. Jesus also predicts that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows, despite Peter’s insistence that he would follow Jesus to the end.
After the supper, Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asks His Father, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42 KJV). This powerful moment reveals Jesus’ humanity and His complete submission to God’s will.
The chapter ends with Jesus’ arrest. Judas betrays Him with a kiss, and Jesus is taken to the high priest’s house, where He is mocked and beaten. True to Jesus’ prediction, Peter denies knowing Him three times before fleeing in sorrow.
Luke 23: The Crucifixion of Jesus
Luke 23 recounts the trial, crucifixion, and death of Jesus. After being brought before Pilate, the Roman governor, Jesus is accused by the religious leaders of claiming to be the King of the Jews. Though Pilate finds no fault in Him, the crowd demands His crucifixion, and Pilate reluctantly agrees.
Jesus is led to Golgotha, where He is crucified between two thieves. As He hangs on the cross, Jesus prays for His executioners, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 KJV). One of the thieves, in his final moments, repents and asks Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. Jesus replies, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 KJV), showing that salvation is available even in a person’s last moments if they turn to Christ in faith.
At about noon, darkness covers the land, and the veil of the temple is torn in two, symbolizing that the separation between God and humanity has been removed through Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus dies after saying, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46 KJV). His body is taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb, guarded by soldiers to prevent any tampering.
Luke 24: The Resurrection of Jesus
The final chapter of Luke recounts the resurrection of Jesus. Early on the first day of the week, a group of women goes to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two angels appear and tell them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5-6 KJV). The women rush to tell the disciples, but their words seem like nonsense to them.
Later, two disciples on the road to Emmaus encounter a man who explains the Scriptures to them, revealing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again. As they break bread together, the disciples realize that the man is Jesus, and He vanishes from their sight. They hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the others that they have seen the risen Lord.
Jesus then appears to all the disciples, showing them His hands and feet as proof that He is alive. He opens their understanding of the Scriptures and commissions them to be witnesses of His death and resurrection, proclaiming repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations. He promises that they will soon be empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out this mission.
The Gospel of Luke concludes with Jesus’ ascension into heaven. As He is taken up, the disciples worship Him and return to Jerusalem with great joy, ready to continue the work He began.
Conclusion
Luke chapters 20 to 24 (KJV) cover some of the most pivotal moments in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, from His confrontations with religious leaders to His sacrificial death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection. These chapters reveal the depth of God’s love for humanity, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the hope of eternal life through faith in Christ. Through Jesus’ resurrection, believers are assured that death is not the end, and the power of God’s kingdom is made manifest in the world.
