Let Me Be Clear

In today’s passage, we see Jesus dealing with two groups who are attacking Him. Both are trying to prove that Jesus is not the Messiah. One group tries to trap Him politically, and the other tries to trap Him theologically…

Matthew 22:15–33 CSB

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap him by what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don’t care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 Perceiving their malicious intent, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” They brought him a denarius. 20 “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked them. 21 “Caesar’s,” they said to him. Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. 23 That same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to him and questioned him: 24 “Teacher, Moses said, if a man dies, having no children, his brother is to marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first got married and died. Having no offspring, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second also, and the third, and so on to all seven. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had married her.” 29 Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, because you don’t know 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. 31 Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read what was spoken to you by God: 32 I 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.” 33 And when the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

Truth cannot be concerned with what others may think.

The Pharisees would have believed the Roman tax infringed on Jewish law and resented having to pay it

The Herodians were a small group of Jews who were loyal to various family members of Herod. They had made peace with Rome occupying their country and saw paying taxes as a way to hold onto their political power.

By working together, the Herodians and Pharisees thought they set the perfect trap…because they both believed something different about taxes than no matter which way Jesus answered, one group would have been mad

God’s sovereignty extends to all things (including governing authorities)

We honor God by obeying human government

We need to be careful not to “idolize” government (or government officials)

There will be times when it feels like everyone is against you.

First the Pharisees and Herodians teamed up, and now the Sadducees get into the act

The first question was a political trap, though many were debating this

The Sadducees propose what would be a ridiculous scenario

For a clear understanding, we must look at ALL of Scripture.

The Sadducees did not believe anything beyond the 5 Mosaic books…this means they miss all the Prophets said

The resurrection is alluded to in the Law, but the pivotal passage in the OT is Daniel 12.2 - And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt

Do not underestimate the power of God.

The biggest issue the Sadducees had was their unbelief in the power of God

Their limited beliefs attempted to put God in a box

What we experience in eternity is beyond any temporary earthly experience

Oh, the Sadducees did not believe in angels, so Jesus gives a little dig by mentioning we are “like the angels” in our relationships

Please take note…we do not become angels

God is the living God and God of the living.