Matthew 22:15-33
Q.1. Were the questions of the Herodians and Pharisees sincere? Why was their question nasty? How did Christ’s reply show that He submitted to God’s principles for living? – (Mt.22:15-22)
Mark told us that the Pharisees who were sticklers for the Law and their endless rules, actually enlisted the Herodians who were politically motivated against Jesus (Mk.12:13). They pretended to befriend Jesus, while devising a trap to use His words against Him – 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? (Mt.22:16-17). This was treachery, because (i) If Jesus had expressed His support for the poll-tax, He would have incurred the wrath of the Jews who hated paying taxes to Rome. (ii) If Jesus had opposed paying taxes, they would have had grounds to report Him to the authorities. His classic response silenced His opponents. He asked them – 19 Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mt.22:19-21). As a man, Jesus fully submitted Himself to the God-ordained authorities, thus silencing His critics (Mt.22:22 c.f. Rom.13:1-2).
Q.2. How did the Sadducees differ from the Pharisees? To what principle in the Law were they referring? How did Jesus expose their ignorance? What happens when we die? – (Mt.22:23-33)
The Sadducees were liberals, who did not accept the supernatural. They – say there is no resurrection (Mt.22:23). Though they gave scant regard for the Scriptures they came up with their well-worn question, based on the Law – Teacher, Moses said, If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.' (Mt.22:24). They ridiculed the Law by using a story of a woman who had married seven brothers, according to the Levirate Law. This Law required a brother to raise children to a deceased brother. They asked Jesus which brother the woman would be married to, after the resurrection (that they did not believe in) (Mt.22:25-28 c.f. Dt.25:5). Jesus exposed their ignorance - 29 … You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven (Mt.22:29-30). He then included a lesson reaffirming the resurrection, as stated in the Bible - 31 But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living (Mt.22:31-32). If there was no resurrection, it would have been misleading for God to speak about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to Moses, generations later at the burning bush. (c.f. Ex.3:6). Without a genuine resurrection of the dead, there could not have been an appearance of Moses and Elijah, as in Matthew 17:3). The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians were often bitter enemies. However, they all ganged up against the Son of God. We need to be true to our convictions, and not compromise simply to get any kind of advantage.