The Life of Jesus (27)

Answering the Jewish Leaders

Matthew 22:15-45

In a Previous LessonDealing with enemies He did not sin He appealed to scripture He never compromised He challenged enemies, esp. when disciples where there He lived His life so that accusations were false

Pharisees - TaxesMatt. 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26The Pharisees plotted to entangle Him, “seize on His words in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor” (Lk. 20:20)Along with the Herodians – Roman sympathizers

Pharisees - TaxesThey “praise” Jesus •“Teacher” •We know you are true – pure, unhypocritical•You teach the way of God in truth – a true message•You do not regard the person of man – no favoritism

Pharisees - Taxes“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” (22:17)•A legitimate question?•To His enemies a “loaded question”Jesus perceived their wickedness (hypocrisy, craftiness)

Pharisees - Taxes“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” (22:17)•He exposed them – hypocrites•He asked for a coin –a denarius or “penny” or “tax money”•“Whose image is on it?”

A Denarius from Tiberius Caesarwww.Forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/

Inscription:Tiberius

Caesar of the Divine Augustus, Augustus

High Priest(His mother

pictured)

Pharisees - Taxes“Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and render to God the things that are God’s” (22:21)•Jesus validated paying taxes and obeying civil law•He also evaded their attempt to entrap Him•He silenced them

Pharisees - TaxesLessons: (22:21)•When dealing with enemies and critics – THINK before you answer. •Sometimes a “yes” or “no” answer is not adequate (But other times it is! – Matt. 5:37, Jas. 5:12)

Pharisees - TaxesLessons: (22:21)•Render to Caesar that which belongs to him – Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Pet. 2:13-17•Render to God what belongs to Him – God is worthy of His due – Matt. 6:33, “contrition, faith, love, worship, obedience,…” (Lenski)

Sadducees - Resurrection

• Matt. 22:23-33, Mk. 12:18-27, Lk. 20:27-40

• Sadducees – no resurrection, no angels (Ac. 23:6-8)

• Posed a supposedly paradoxical question

Sadducees - Resurrection

• They describe a woman who married a man who died and brother took her in…

• Levirate law (Deut. 25:5-10, cf. Gen. 36:6-11,…)

Sadducees - Resurrection

• Jesus answered, “You are mistaken, not knowing the scriptures ” (22:29)

• He proceeds to explain that in the resurrection No marriage Like the angels – in longevity

Sadducees - Resurrection

• Jesus answered, “But concerning the resurrection…” (22:31)

• He speaks of Moses from Ex. 3:6 (“the burning bush passage”), “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob” – noted He is God of the living

Sadducees - Resurrection

• Lessons: A clearer picture of what we will be like after the resurrection

• Be careful how you answer critics and loaded questions – Prov. 18:13 – weigh your words

• We need to expose motives and error

Greatest command

• Matt. 22:34-40, Mk. 12:28-34

• Pharisees gather together• A lawyer (scribe) asks Him a

question, “testing Him”• He may not be hostile to

Jesus

Greatest command

• “What is the greatest commandment?”

• How is this a “trap”? Perhaps seeing if they could accuse Him of trivializing certain laws

• Matt. 22:34-40, Mk. 12:28-34

Greatest command

• 1st “You shall love the Lord your God…” (22:37-38, cf. Deut. 6:5)

• 2nd, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (22:39, cf. Lev. 19:18)

• All law hang on these two commandments (22:40)

Greatest command

• Lessons:• Loving God is a must! 1

Cor. 16:22, 1 Jn. 5:3• Loving your neighbor also a

must – Rom. 13:9, Gal. 5:14, Jas. 2:8, 1 John 4:21

Concerning Jesus Are you for Him or

against Him?