"So tell us what you think. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar? Yes or no?" But Jesus knew that these men were trying to trick him. So he said, "You hypocrites! Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong? Show me a coin used for paying the tax." The men showed Jesus a silver coin. Then Jesus asked, "Whose picture is on the coin? And whose name is written on the coin?" The men answered, "It is Caesar's picture and Caesar's name." Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. And give to God the things that are God's." Those men heard what Jesus said, and they were amazed. They left him and went away.
—Matthew 22:17-22
Key Thought
The trap is set for Jesus. Get him in one of those governmental "catch 22" questions where his answer is wrong no matter what he says. If he says to pay taxes, the people will reject him. If he says to not pay taxes, then he has broken the law and can be arrested by the Romans.
But notice how Jesus avoided the trap and turned his ambush into a great victory for truth. First, he called their bluff by pointing out the trick to everyone. Second, he asked them a question about truth. Third, he gives a principle rather than a law so they have to wrestle with their own hearts instead of blaming some teacher's opinion on this issue!
Today's Prayer
Holy God, please give me the grace and wisdom to answer those who attack me. I want to display your truth and character no matter how an enemy's "fact finding" mission turns out. I want to speak of you no matter the consequences, and I want to do so in a way which brings you glory and Jesus closer to those with whom I share this message. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then the Pharisees left the place where Jesus was teaching. They made plans to catch Jesus saying something wrong. The Pharisees sent some men to Jesus {to trick him}. They sent some of their own followers and some men from the group called Herodians. These men said, "Teacher, we know that you are an honest man. We know that you teach the truth about God's way. You are not afraid of what other people think about you. All men are the same to you. So tell us what you think. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar ? Yes or no?" But Jesus knew that these men were trying to trick him. So he said, "You hypocrites ! Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong? Show me a coin used for paying the tax." The men showed Jesus a silver coin. Then Jesus asked, "Whose picture is on the coin? And whose name is written on the coin?" The men answered, "It is Caesar's picture and Caesar's name." Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. And give to God the things that are God's." Those men heard what Jesus said, and they were amazed. They left him and went away. That same day some Sadducees came to Jesus. (Sadducees believe that no person will rise from death.) The Sadducees asked Jesus a question. They said, "Teacher, Moses told us that if a married man dies and he had no children, then his brother must marry the woman. Then they will have children for the dead brother. There were seven brothers among us. The first one married but died. He had no children. So his brother married the woman. Then the second brother also died. The same thing happened to the third brother and all the other brothers. The woman was last to die. But all seven men had married her. So when people rise from death, whose wife will she be?" Jesus answered, "You don't understand because you don't know what the Scriptures say. And you don't know about the power of God. At the time when people rise from death, there will be no marriage. People will not be married to each other. Allpeople will be like the angels in heaven. Surely you have read what God said to you about the rising from death? God said, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. ' {If God said he is their God, then} these men are not really dead. He is the God only of living people." All the people heard this. They were amazed at Jesus' teaching.Matthew 22:15-33
Related Scripture Readings
— Prov. 15:9
You judge me the way people judge other people. I don't judge any person. But if I judge, my judging is true. Why? Because when I judge I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that when two witnesses say the same thing, then you must accept what they say. Again, Jesus said to the people, "I will leave you. You will look for me, but you will die with your sin. You cannot come where I am going." So Jesus said to the Jews that believed in him, "If you continue to obey my teaching, then you are truly my followers. Then you will know the truth. And the truth will make you free." — John 8:31-32; 14:15-17, 21
— Eph. 6:19-20
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 22:17-22
Key Thought
The trap is set for Jesus. Get him in one of those governmental "catch 22" questions where his answer is wrong no matter what he says. If he says to pay taxes, the people will reject him. If he says to not pay taxes, then he has broken the law and can be arrested by the Romans.
But notice how Jesus avoided the trap and turned his ambush into a great victory for truth. First, he called their bluff by pointing out the trick to everyone. Second, he asked them a question about truth. Third, he gives a principle rather than a law so they have to wrestle with their own hearts instead of blaming some teacher's opinion on this issue!
Today's Prayer
Holy God, please give me the grace and wisdom to answer those who attack me. I want to display your truth and character no matter how an enemy's "fact finding" mission turns out. I want to speak of you no matter the consequences, and I want to do so in a way which brings you glory and Jesus closer to those with whom I share this message. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then the Pharisees left the place where Jesus was teaching. They made plans to catch Jesus saying something wrong. The Pharisees sent some men to Jesus {to trick him}. They sent some of their own followers and some men from the group called Herodians. These men said, "Teacher, we know that you are an honest man. We know that you teach the truth about God's way. You are not afraid of what other people think about you. All men are the same to you. So tell us what you think. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar ? Yes or no?" But Jesus knew that these men were trying to trick him. So he said, "You hypocrites ! Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong? Show me a coin used for paying the tax." The men showed Jesus a silver coin. Then Jesus asked, "Whose picture is on the coin? And whose name is written on the coin?" The men answered, "It is Caesar's picture and Caesar's name." Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. And give to God the things that are God's." Those men heard what Jesus said, and they were amazed. They left him and went away. That same day some Sadducees came to Jesus. (Sadducees believe that no person will rise from death.) The Sadducees asked Jesus a question. They said, "Teacher, Moses told us that if a married man dies and he had no children, then his brother must marry the woman. Then they will have children for the dead brother. There were seven brothers among us. The first one married but died. He had no children. So his brother married the woman. Then the second brother also died. The same thing happened to the third brother and all the other brothers. The woman was last to die. But all seven men had married her. So when people rise from death, whose wife will she be?" Jesus answered, "You don't understand because you don't know what the Scriptures say. And you don't know about the power of God. At the time when people rise from death, there will be no marriage. People will not be married to each other. Allpeople will be like the angels in heaven. Surely you have read what God said to you about the rising from death? God said, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. ' {If God said he is their God, then} these men are not really dead. He is the God only of living people." All the people heard this. They were amazed at Jesus' teaching.Matthew 22:15-33
Related Scripture Readings
— Prov. 15:9
You judge me the way people judge other people. I don't judge any person. But if I judge, my judging is true. Why? Because when I judge I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that when two witnesses say the same thing, then you must accept what they say. Again, Jesus said to the people, "I will leave you. You will look for me, but you will die with your sin. You cannot come where I am going." So Jesus said to the Jews that believed in him, "If you continue to obey my teaching, then you are truly my followers. Then you will know the truth. And the truth will make you free." — John 8:31-32; 14:15-17, 21
— Eph. 6:19-20
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
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