Summary of Matthew 22:15-33 teaching from February 8th, 2023:
Last week we saw the Pharisees and Sadducees putting forth 2 questions to Jesus.
They were doing this in order to trap Him.
They wanted to get evidence together to use against Jesus.
Their desire was to either turn the crowds against Jesus, or to turn the Roman authorities against Him.
This was very clearly malicious intent. Evil people doing the business of their evil father (the Devil). See 22:18 for their evil intent (“Jesus aware of their malice”)
1st question was about paying taxes. This was a very touchy subject for both the Jews and the Romans. If Jesus said don’t pay taxes, the Romans would be agitated. If He said you should pay taxes, then the people would be agitated because they hated the oppressive Roman taxes.
Jesus’ response to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” would satisfy all of the groups and bring no agitation.
Jesus’ goal was not necessarily evasion, but bringing the truth to the people in more profound ways than they could have ever imagined.
2nd question put forward to Jesus had to do with the resurrection and the ridiculously hypothetical woman married to 7 brothers.
Jesus brings harsh rebuke and condemnation to the Sadducees saying in vs 29 “you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures not the power of God”
This is a small glimpse of what is to come soon in chapter 23 “the woes against the Scribes and Pharisees”. Things will get much harsher in the next chapter.
The irony of this is those very learned men do not know the Scriptures or the power of God, when later very unlearned men (Jesus’ disciples) will know the Scriptures and the power of God.
By faith in Christ, Jesus’ disciples will hold the keys to the Kingdom and not these religious leaders.
What is the reaction to these answers that Jesus gives? The marveled and were astonished. You could say they were dumbstruck.
Listen to last week’s teaching on Matthew 22:15-33 below.
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/harvestfellowship/sermons/29231213302088/