Luke does not give us a day-by-day chronology of Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem. He tells us only that Jesus was teaching daily. He does not follow Mark and Matthew where Jesus goes out every evening to the Mount of Olives.[1] Today’s gospel lesson is part of a long passage that is Jesus’ last public teaching. The passage begins with the words, “One day, as Jesus was teaching in the temple.”[2] Luke follows Mark, as does Matthew, with what comes next. There are questions to Jesus about the source of his authority. Then come the story where the owner of a vineyard sends his “beloved son” to collect the rent that is due, but whom the tenants kill; the famous question and answer about paying taxes to Caesar; and last Sunday’s gospel about a widow who, in turn, was married to her first husband’s six brothers.[3]
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