Event New Testament
The controversies in the temple
Also known as The question of authority, Render to Caesar, The greatest commandment
Teaching in the temple courts, Jesus was challenged in turn by the chief priests and elders, the Pharisees with the Herodians, the Sadducees, and an expert in the law. He answered with the parable of the tenants, the coin bearing Caesar's image, the God of the living, and the two great commandments, then asked how David could call his own son Lord.
Why it matters. The week's debates put Jesus' identity on the table: the rejected stone of Psalm 118 and the Lord of Psalm 110 are both claimed for Him, in the temple, before the leaders who will condemn Him.
- Primary passages
- Dates
- AD 30 to 33 (approximate) (medium confidence, Passover week of the crucifixion under Pontius Pilate; AD 30 and AD 33 are the leading proposals)
The event belongs to the final week before the crucifixion, which is dated to AD 30 or AD 33 on calendrical grounds. FaithGraph records the range and does not choose.
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: medium
All three Synoptics record a series of challenges in the temple courts: the question about authority, the parable of the tenants, the tribute question, the Sadducees on resurrection, the greatest commandment, and Jesus' own question about David's son. The order is broadly shared; Matthew adds further parables. FaithGraph groups them as one sequence.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The cleansing of the temple precedes The controversies in the temple
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe question of authority follows the cleansing when Jesus returns to teach in the temple.
Evidence:The controversies in the temple precedes The Olivet discourse
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJesus leaves the temple after the debates and delivers the discourse on the Mount of Olives.
Evidence:Caiaphas participates in The controversies in the temple
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe chief priests and elders who question Jesus' authority are led by the high priest; Matthew names Caiaphas as high priest in the same week.
Evidence:Jesus participates in The controversies in the temple
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJesus is the one questioned in the temple courts and the one who answers.
Evidence:The controversies in the temple occurs at The temple in Jerusalem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe challenges take place while Jesus teaches in the temple courts.
Evidence:The controversies in the temple develops the theme The Kingdom of God
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe debates turn on the kingdom: the tenants lose the vineyard, Caesar's coin is distinguished from what is God's, and the scribe is told he is not far from the kingdom.
Evidence: