Study 33

Questions answered

Here we have three questions asked by the greatest experts in religion at that time.

Question 1

The first experts are the Pharisees (who hated taxation from Rome - a pagan occupier). The second experts are the Herodians (politicians ultimately ruled by Caesar) who had been sent by the high priests to trap Jesus. Both asked him if taxes had to be paid.

If Jesus answered yes, the people would accuse him of submitting to Caesar and not God and He would be stoned. If He answered no, the Herodians would arrest Him and kill Him for not obeying the government. The answer in verses 16 & 17 is both easy to understand and brilliant. Authorities are set up by God so it is quite wrong not to pay taxes as it is ultimately rebellion against God. Verse 17 also says that we should give to God what is rightly His. The bible tell us "the world” and "all that is in it" belongs to God (Psalm 50:12). God owns us and we should entrust ourselves to Him.

Question 2

Then the Sadducees come with a rather strange question about the resurrection and in doing so attempt to make the truth look foolish. We must be wary of people who misuse the bible and do not submit to the power of God, whatever they claim about themselves (verse 24).

The after life will be a totally different type of life. It is difficult for us to understand because we have not seen or experienced it. But Jesus tells us here that our souls will have left our perishable bodies and we will be given spiritual bodies like angels. There will be no marriage because of that change. Most importantly in verses 26 & 27 we read that Christians who die physically will be resurrected. We need to study the Bible carefully so that we will not be "mistaken" in these things.

Question 3

The final questioner is completely different (verse 28). He asks a question of supreme importance - which of God's commandments is the most important?

The answer given in verses 30-31 deserves our full attention. The man realises the truth of what Jesus has said and this causes Jesus to say that he is not far from the kingdom of heaven.

Once we understand the law of God we realise how much we cannot keep it. Then we go on to see how much we need a Saviour who has suffered in our place for our disobedience.

I wonder if this man took the final step and trusted Jesus? What about you?

* If you would like to see the Christian view on government, read Romans Chapter 13 verses 1-7.

Time to think

What should you give to the government?
What should you give to God?