One aspect about Jesus that is often ignored is His ability to debate, and for good reason. To say that religious debates are not popular in our time is an understatement. Yet the ability to debate is a valuable skill for those who would endeavor to teach the gospel to others. Jesus was so effective, that Luke 20 records four occasions in which He silenced His opponents. He did so by presenting arguments that could not be combated.

In our work in spreading the gospel, “we are destroying speculation and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are not to try to force anyone or trick anyone into obeying the gospel. We persuade people by dismantling the arguments used against the truth.

When Jesus silenced His opponents four times in Luke 20, He was able to do so without turning the common people against Him (Luke 19:48; 21:38). We must develop our abilities to confound our opponents while persuading the people. In order to help us do this, let us notice how Jesus silenced His opponents in Luke 20.

He Appealed to Divine Authority

The chief priests, scribes and elders asked Jesus a question: “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” (Luke 20:2). This came right after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem in which He received praise from the people (Luke 19:37-38), and His cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:45-46). It is likely that their question had to do with this, at least in part.

Their question is actually a legitimate one. It is important to question the basis for why things are done. Jesus, in His response, identified two sources of authority — “from heaven or from men” (Luke 20:4). There is no other option. We must have divine authority for all that we say and do (Colossians 3:17). So their question and Jesus’ follow-up are good for us to ask today.

We learn though that the ones who questioned Jesus were not really interested in divine authority. They questioned Jesus about authority simply in hopes that they might find an accusation against Him. We know they were not interested in discussing divine authority because of their refusal to answer Jesus’ question (Luke 20:5-7). They were more concerned with the consequences of their answer than with the truth. So all they could say is that “they did not know.”

We may be questioned today: By what authority do you teach against homosexuality? By what authority to you discipline a brother living in sin? Like Jesus, we must determine whether they are sincere or just wanting to stir up problems. Do they really care about divine authority? We can ask questions like Jesus did to find out. We should be more than willing to defend our teachings and practices by the word of God. We expect others to do the same. So we make appeals to divine authority. Those who are interested in truth will learn. Those who are not, like the chief priests, scribes, and elders, will eventually become silent.

He Provided Clear Explanations

Jesus was later asked about the lawfulness of paying taxes (Luke 20:20-26). “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Luke 20:22). They were trying to trap Jesus, looking for some cause whereby they could “deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor” (Luke 20:20).

If Jesus had given a simple “yes” or “no” answer, they may have been able to use that against Him. If Jesus had simply said, “yes, it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar,” they could have tried to turn the people against Him, given the general disdain for the Roman rulers, even including those who would collect taxes for them. If Jesus said, “no, it is not lawful to pay taxes to Caesar” (which seems to be what they hoped He would say), they could have gone to the authorities and accused Jesus of leading a movement against the rulers, inciting the people to rebellion and telling them to not pay their taxes.

Jesus did not fall for their trap. Instead He gave a clear explanation to their question (Luke 20:24-25). The money bore the image of Caesar. Therefore it was lawful to pay taxes. But He went on to make the point that we must likewise give back to God that which belongs to Him. Similarly, this is that which bears His likeness, our own selves (cf. Genesis 1:26-27). As a result of this clear response, “they became silent” (Luke 20:26).

People may try to trap us today by looking for a simple “yes” or “no” answer to their question. In such cases, we must give a clear explanation. Suppose someone asks the question: “Will only members of the church of Christ be saved?” Simply answering “yes” or “no” can give them cause to speak against us. So it would be wise to give a clear, yet concise, explanation. There is salvation in no one but Jesus (Acts 4:12). He is the Savior of the church (Ephesians 5:23) and purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28). Therefore, if we want to be saved, we need to be part of that one church (Matthew 16:18).

He Avoided Speculation

Next, Jesus was confronted by the Sadducees with a question about the resurrection (Luke 20:28-33). They presented a scenario in which one woman was married to seven men. Their question was this: “In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her” (Luke 20:33).

The Sadducees were not sincerely asking this question. They didn’t even believe in the resurrection (Luke 20:27). They were not seeking answers. Rather, they tried to delve into the realm of speculation to make it look like the truth about the resurrection was not so certain. When Jesus answered their question, He did not remind them about what was written in the Law (Luke 20:34-36). This was not something they could have known, or even was pertinent to keeping the Old Law. So God said nothing about it. Only Jesus, who had been in heaven and was God in the flesh, could have answered this question this way. Based on the Old Testament Scriptures, men could only speculate about this question.

Jesus only briefly addressed their question. He went on to discuss the primary issue — their belief that there is no resurrection (Luke 20:37-38). In doing this, He quotes a passage from the Law (Exodus 3:6) and makes His point from that. He did not waste time over speculation. He went directly to the sure and certain truth that they needed to accept.

People who do not like the truth will try to steer the discussion toward speculation. Paul says we must avoid this (1 Timothy 1:4). But this is often done when discussing the necessity of baptism. Someone will ask, “What if someone is on their way to the church building to be baptized and they get in a car accident and die on the way. Will God send them to Hell?” Ultimately, God is the judge (2 Corinthians 5:10). All we know is what the Bible says. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). “Baptism now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21).

We cannot speculate about what God has not revealed (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29). Yet people speculate today and then use their speculation as an excuse to disobey. We must avoid speculation and focus on the truth.

He Directed People Toward a Conclusion

Finally, instead of being asked a question, Jesus asked, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ‘ Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?” (Luke 20:41-44).

The Christ was certainly to descend from David (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The Jews understood this. In Matthew’s account, Jesus first asked, “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” They responded, “The son of David” (Matthew 22:42). So, “If David calls Him Lord, how is He his son?” (Matthew 22:45).

Jesus asked a question for which there was only one answer. They knew the Christ would descend from David. Yet, David called Him Lord. How can these facts be reconciled? Jesus later says, “I am the root and the descendant of David” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus was not just a man. He was God in the flesh. This conclusion was unavoidable if they were willing to accept it. Of course, the Pharisees were not, so it says, “No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question” (Matthew 22:46).

We must learn how to lead people to the truth in such a way so that the right conclusion is unavoidable. We should not encourage people to be comfortable in their current situation, or lead them down an unclear path that could easily result in them accepting some denominational error, or becoming more firmly entrenched in it. There is one truth (cf. John 14:6). We must direct people to that truth. It is alright to make people think. The only way one will be truly converted is if their faith is their own.

Conclusion

It is good to learn lessons like these from Jesus, the Master Teacher, so we can be better prepared to teach others. All Christians have opportunities from time to time to share the gospel. Most people will not be quick to accept the truth. Some will even oppose it. In either case, we must learn to effectively demonstrate the irrefutable truth of the gospel so that those who are honest will have opportunity to come to know the will of God.