Mark 12:13-27

Intro:

Read Mark 12:13-17

Mark 12:13–17 ESV

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

Transition: Tested by the Religious Leaders

It’s a Trap! vs. 13-15

vs. 13 Catch Him in His Words

The religious leaders wanted to catch him in a trap

Public opinion kept them from laying hold of Jesus, so they tried to turn the tide of public opinion against Him.

Using a clever question, they wanted to make Jesus seem to agree with the Roman government against the Jews

We again see the Pharisees and the Herodians working together.

Former enemies came together because of Jesus, but it was because they both opposed Jesus and wanted to destroy Him.

vs. 14 Tried Flattery

Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one

tJesus knew enough to not regard this flattery from His enemies.

Sometimes our enemies flatter us because they want to hurt us.

Sometimes our friends flatter us because they want to be kind and helpful.

Either way, it is a mistake to put too much stock in what others say about us, either good or bad.

vs. 15 Tried to Turn the People Against Jesus

Since the year 6 A.D. the Jews were forced to pay taxes directly into the emperor’s treasury.

Some Jewish patriots refused to pay this tax because they did not want to recognize Roman rule as legitimate.

Most people grudgingly paid it, but everybody hated it.

It wasn’t just the money, but also the principle of paying the Roman oppressor.

Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?

They seemed to put Jesus in a trap.

If He agreed the tax should be paid, Jesus then seemed to deny the sovereignty of God over Israel, and He would lose popular support.

If Jesus agreed that the tax should not be paid, He would openly declare Himself an enemy of Rome and be treated like a revolutionary.

Jesus Sees Thru the Hypocrisy vs. 15b-17

vs. 15 Why do you test me?

vs. 16 Who’s on the Coin?

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s:

If we take advantage of the benefits of governmental rule, we are obliged to submit to government, as long as it does not infringe on our service to God.

Simply said, Jesus told us to pay our taxes.

The Apostle Paul repeated the same idea in Romans 13:6-7.

“Jesus is saying that we are citizens of heaven and earth at the same time.” (Morris)

Given the promises of blessing and cursing under the Old Covenant, had the Jews rendered God His due, they would have never had to render Caesar anything.

The fact that they were under Roman domination was due to their own departure from the Lord.

vs. 17 Give to God

Just as it is important to render to Caesar, we must also render to God the things that are God’s.

The coin belonged to Caesar because his image was stamped on it.

We should give our self to God because His image is stamped on us.

Give the coin to Caesar but give your life to God.

It may be fitting for you to die for your country, but only God is worth living for.

Jesus’ answer tells us that Caesar does not have all authority; there are some things that should be rendered to God alone.

When the State asks something of us that belongs to God alone, we are duty bound to obey God before the State.

Whose Wife is This? vs. 18-23

vs. 18 Sadducees

The Sadducees were well educated, sophisticated, influential and wealthy.

They did not believe in immortality, spirits, or angels.

The purpose of their question was to make the idea of resurrection seem absurd.

vs. 19-23 Silly Story

Their question was absurd. It was similar to asking, “how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” or “did Adam have a belly-button?”

An absurd question isn’t less absurd because we direct the question to God.

The Sadducees believed that when the body died, the soul died.

The Bible not only tells us that the soul lives when the body dies, but also that the soul will have a new body, a body fit for eternity – a resurrection body.

You Are Mistaken vs. 24-27

vs. 24-25 Don’t know Scripture

vs. 26-27 God of the Living