See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:23-27.

One of those days - Supposed to have been one of the four last days of his life, mentioned Luke 19:47, probably Tuesday before the passover.

And it came to pass, that on one of those days,.... According to the account of the Evangelist Mark, it must be the second day, or two days after his public entrance into Jerusalem; for on the evening of the day he made his entry, he went out to Bethany with his disciples; the next morning, as he returned from thence, he cursed the barren fig tree; and when he came to the temple cast out the buyers and sellers; at evening he went out again, either to Bethany, or the Mount of Olives; and the next morning, as he and his disciples returned, the fig tree was observed to be dried up; and when they were come to Jerusalem, as he was walking in the temple, he was attacked by the sanhedrim, and had the following discourse with them:

as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the Gospel; for he taught them by preaching that, and which he did most clearly, faithfully, and publicly, being abundantly anointed and qualified for it, and sent to do it.

The chief priests, and the Scribes, came upon him, with the elders. The whole sanhedrim being purposely convened together, came upon him in a body; and it may be suddenly, and at an unawares, and came open mouthed against him, and attacked him with great warmth and vehemency.

And {1} it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

(1) The Pharisees, being overcome with the truth of Christ's doctrine, propose a question about his outward calling, and are overcome by the witness of their own conscience.

20:1-8 A Day of Conflict

SUMMARY OF LUKE 20:

Christ's Authority Called For. The Baptism of John. The Parable of the Vineyard. On Paying Tribute to Caesar. The Sadducees and the Resurrection. Christ the Lord and Son of David. The Hypocrisy of the Scribes.

In the temple. See notes on Mt 21:23-27. Compare Mr 11:27-33.

20:1 Mt 21:23; Mr 11:27.

CHAPTER 20

Lu 20:1-19. The Authority of Jesus Questioned, and His Reply-Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen.

(See on [1705]Mt 21:23.)

20:1-8 Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give account of his authority, to those who knew the baptism of John to be from heaven, yet would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge.