"WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVATION?"
Notes
Transcript
What motivates you?
Parallel Gospel Accounts -
Matthew 22:15-22 - make three observations
Mark 12:13-17 - make three observations
Luke 20:20-26 - make three observations
This morning we are going to learn about 1) the plot, 2) the response, and 3) the conclusion.
Interrogative question - What is your life motivated by?
1. The Plot - vs. 15-17
1. The Plot - vs. 15-17
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “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?”
What do you know about the Pharisees?
Who are the disciples in vs. 16?
Who are the Herodians?
In Mark, the Herodians always appear along with the Pharisees—a surprising association for several reasons. The Pharisees opposed Hellenism (the blending of Greek and non-Greek culture), which was supported by the Herodians. Additionally, the Herodians would not have been as strict as the Pharisees in their obedience to the Law. The connection between these two groups suggests that Jesus was a common enemy. If the Pharisees wished to have Jesus put to death, they would have needed the cooperation of Herod Antipas, who held the power to inflict (or at least influence) capital punishment. Mark seems to depict the collaboration of the Pharisees, a religious group, and the Herodians, a political group, as instrumental in the facilitation of Jesus’ unjust execution. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press.
Herodians. A loosely organized group that sought to advance the political and economic influence of the Herodian family (c. 37 B.C.–A.D. 93). Although the Herodians and the Pharisees were adversaries in regard to many political and religious issues, they join forces here to combat the perceived threat to their power and status. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1869). Crossway Bibles.
How did they know who Jesus is?
What is the motivation of the Pharisees and the Herodians?
2. The Response - vs. 18-21
2. The Response - vs. 18-21
18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 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.”
What do we learn about Jesus in vs. 18? (His Omniscience)
Why didn’t Jesus answer their question?
Why does Jesus call them hypocrites?
What is the poll-tax?
Mk 12:14 taxes: All provinces under direct Roman rule, such as Judea (but not Galilee), were required to take a census for taxation purposes. The census involved an enrollment of names and an assessment of property. The term that the Pharisees and Herodians used shows that they were asking about the census tax, one that was particularly despised.
Lk 20:22 pay taxes to Caesar or not: A trick question. If Jesus said to pay, then people will wonder if He is the Messiah who has come to free them from Rome, which was the expectation for many. If He said not to pay, then Jesus’ enemies could present Him as one fomenting revolution. Lemke, S. W. (2007). The Academic Use of Gospel Harmonies. In Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels (pp. 164–165). Holman Bible Publishers.
What is the significance of Jesus’ response?
3. The Conclusion - vs. 22
3. The Conclusion - vs. 22
22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.
How and why did Jesus response cause such a silence?
Lk 20:25 give back to Caesar … and to God: Jesus’ answer avoided the trap. Government has the right to exist and collect taxes and God is to be honored for His rule as well. The either-or question became a both-and. Lemke, S. W. (2007). The Academic Use of Gospel Harmonies. In Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels (pp. 164–165). Holman Bible Publishers.
If He answered no to their question, the Herodians would charge Him with treason against Rome. If He said yes, the Pharisees would accuse Him of disloyalty to the Jewish nation, and He would lose the support of the multitudes. MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1434). Word Pub.
SO WHAT??
what is your life motivated by?