The atmosphere of hostility and intrigue in ch 19-20. Jesus intervenes with the Parable of the Tenants, to illustrate what the Chief Priests, teachers of the law and elders were doing to Jesus - they were 'killing Him softly with their words' and attitudes. Jesus turns the table and kills their attitudes powerfully with His words. The Parable clearly points to Jesus as being the One whom the builders have rejected who will become the capstone.
Jesus answers the spies' question by placing the question back on them and making them responsible to both God and Caesar. It was a genius answer! I need to pay what I owe to both God and government.
Jesus often turns the tables on those asking 'clever' questions by showing He is above them all. He plays them at their own game and in the process answers their question - He is truly God - wiser than the wisest of humanity.
The Sadducees' question was a hypothetical story that went from the sublime to the ridiculous. Jesus doesn't answer it directly, but instead tells truth of who He is and what He has come to do. Jesus knows the Sadducees didn't believe life after death because it didn't appear in the 5 books of Moses - Jesus responds by talking of Moses' beliefs, and He also responds by dealing with their concerns about the practicalities of life after death. Jesus is supreme, even in answering questions!
21:1-4 God isn't looking at how much we give to Him, but rather what we keep back. Do we give our all, or just a little bit? If we have wealth, the percentages don't change - how much do we give? cf 2 Cor 8:12 God is not looking for greatness or flash clothes - He looks for those who are humble and don't seek the most important places.
'Son of David' was a title for the Messiah, which had the implication for national and political deliverer. Jesus teaches that the Messiah is prophesied in the Psalms and that He was called Lord ( by David) and also Son of David. The Messiah is a God-ordained reign, that came about through His plan and purpose - He would be both a descendant of David, but also prophesied by him.
The destruction of Jerusalem is described as 'days of vengeance' - its cause was because they did not recognise Jesus' coming or the prophets who had been before. They had not accepted any of these and so faced destruction and punishment because of their choices.
The disciples would face many dangers and problems:
People trying to deceive them that they are the promised One or that the time is near, they will be got at, be persecuted, put in prisons and before synagogues, kings and governors, they will be hated by family and friends and some will be put to death, they will see Jerusalem surrounded and there will be great distress. They need to remain focused on God - His promises, word, return. He will remain faithful, even when all hell breaks out against them. They are to ensure they "do not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
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