(1) v.13-17 Jesus' conversation with the Pharisees and the Herodians
Overview: (NET) Their purpose was to trip Jesus up in his words so that he would lose the support of the people, leaving the way open for them to destroy him.”
key words: In their deceitful conversation, the enemies of Jesus called Him, truthful and said He taught with truth v.14. However, Jesus saw their hypocrisy v.15.
(NET) Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question of the Pharisees and Herodians was specifically designed to trap Jesus.
Jesus' answer:
(NET) Jesus is making a subtle yet powerful contrast: Caesar’s image is on the denarius, so he can lay claim to money through taxation, but God’s image is on humanity, so he can lay claim to each individual life.
Jesus’ answer to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s was a both/and, not the questioners’ either/or. So he slipped out of their trap.
Reflection: Are we hypocritic like the enemies of Jesus? We pretend to be nice, but our hearts are not. Are we truthful in front of God?
(2) v.18-27 Jesus' conversation with the Sadducees
(2) v.18-27 Jesus' conversation with the Sadducees
Background for v.19: (NET) The levirate law is described in Deut 25:5–10. The brother of a man who died without a son had an obligation to marry his brother’s widow. This served several purposes: It provided for the widow in a society where a widow with no children to care for her would be reduced to begging, and it preserved the name of the deceased, who would be regarded as the legal father of the first son produced from that marriage.
Key word: Deceived v.24, dont know v.24, have you not read in the book of Moses v.26, badly mistaken v.27
Jesus' answer:
(NET) He is not God of the dead but of the living. Jesus’ point was that if God could identify himself as God of the three old patriarchs, then they must still be alive when God spoke to Moses; and so they must be raised.
Reflection: Do we think that we know everything? We think we know, but we are not. Have we read and understood? Or are we badly mistaken? I think we always need to be humble and aware that we have blind spots everywhere. Be gentle even when we teach others.
(3) v.28-34 Jesus' conversation with the expert in the law
Who was the expert in the law?
(NET) The people referred to here were recognized experts in the law of Moses and in traditional laws and regulations.
Key words:
Jesus answered them well v.28, "that is true, Teacher, you are right v.32," Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully v.34
Jesus' answer v.34
(BKC) [The expert in the law]... had responded wisely, and Jesus probably stimulated further thought by declaring, You are not far from the kingdom of God. This man had the kind of spiritual understanding (cf. 10:15) and openness to Jesus that brought him near to embracing God’s kingdom, His spiritual rule over those related to Him by faith.
Reflection:
Jesus' answer reminds me that God is One and therefore He deserved our love wholeheartedly. The expert in the Law agreed with Jesus even though his colleagues (the Pharisees, and other religious leaders) did not. He had his own discernment. Do we?
Jesus' answer reminds me that God is One and therefore He deserved our love wholeheartedly. The expert in the Law agreed with Jesus even though his colleagues (the Pharisees, and other religious leaders) did not. He had his own discernment. Do we?
Audrey
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