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In this lesson:
The tax trap. "Ye know not the scriptures." Study Tip: Before starting each lesson, ask God to open your heart. |
Sadducees
By an unknown artist |
Who were the -
Herodians -
A Jewish political party that supported King Herod Antipas and the Roman occupiers and opposed the Pharisees on almost every issue. Being pro-Roman, the Herodians had no problem paying Rome's taxes or obeying their laws. Although the Pharisees were staunchly anti-Roman, we see them repeatedly plot with the Herodians to trap their mutual enemy, Jesus (Matthew 22:15-16 ; Mark 3:6). In this passage, they ask Christ if it's right to pay Roman taxes. If Jesus answered, "yes, pay taxes to the Roman occupiers," it meant He supported Rome, and the people would turn against Him. If He said, "no, don't pay the taxes," the Romans would arrest Him.
Sadducees -
One of four Jewish sects (along with the Pharisees, Zealots and the Essenes). Mostly upper class, well educated, and aristocratic, the Sadducees wielded considerable political power due to their wealth. Although smaller in number than the Pharisees, they were more worldly and held a majority of the seats in the council of elders (the Sanhedrin). The Sadducees rejected the traditions of the Pharisees and only believed in the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch). They even mocked some of the Pharisees more burdensome rules. They believed that souls died with the person and denied such things as the resurrection of the body (Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27), eternal punishment or reward, and the existence of angels, demons, and spirits (Acts 23:8). The Sadducees and Pharisees normally distrusted each other but worked together to plot against Jesus (Matthew 22:34). Time and again the Sadducees bargained away their religious beliefs to curry favor with the Roman occupiers. The Sadducees vanished forever when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army in AD 70.
Herodians -
A Jewish political party that supported King Herod Antipas and the Roman occupiers and opposed the Pharisees on almost every issue. Being pro-Roman, the Herodians had no problem paying Rome's taxes or obeying their laws. Although the Pharisees were staunchly anti-Roman, we see them repeatedly plot with the Herodians to trap their mutual enemy, Jesus (Matthew 22:15-16 ; Mark 3:6). In this passage, they ask Christ if it's right to pay Roman taxes. If Jesus answered, "yes, pay taxes to the Roman occupiers," it meant He supported Rome, and the people would turn against Him. If He said, "no, don't pay the taxes," the Romans would arrest Him.
Sadducees -
One of four Jewish sects (along with the Pharisees, Zealots and the Essenes). Mostly upper class, well educated, and aristocratic, the Sadducees wielded considerable political power due to their wealth. Although smaller in number than the Pharisees, they were more worldly and held a majority of the seats in the council of elders (the Sanhedrin). The Sadducees rejected the traditions of the Pharisees and only believed in the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch). They even mocked some of the Pharisees more burdensome rules. They believed that souls died with the person and denied such things as the resurrection of the body (Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27), eternal punishment or reward, and the existence of angels, demons, and spirits (Acts 23:8). The Sadducees and Pharisees normally distrusted each other but worked together to plot against Jesus (Matthew 22:34). Time and again the Sadducees bargained away their religious beliefs to curry favor with the Roman occupiers. The Sadducees vanished forever when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army in AD 70.
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark: 12:13-27
Questioning the resurrection 13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. 18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, 19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. 26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. |
Margin notes:
"Catch him in his words." (12:13) - The Pharisees constantly tried to trap Jesus (Luke 11:54). "We know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men." (12:14) - Means, "We know that you are honest and don't play favorites regardless of a person's position." "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" (12:14) - "Is it right to pay tax to Caesar or not?" This is a verbal trap, if Jesus answers, "yes, pay taxes," the crowd may turn against Him because they hate the Roman occupiers. If Jesus says, "don't pay Caesar's tax" the Romans may arrest Him for sedition. "Why tempt ye me?" (12:15) - "Why do you test me?" "Render to Caesar." (12:17) - "Give to Caesar." "Moses wrote unto us." (12:19) - To see what Moses wrote, read Deuteronomy 25:5-6. "Raise up seed unto his brother." (12:19) - "Produce children for his brother." "Seven brethren." (12:20) - "Seven brothers." "Ye know not the scriptures." (12:24) - "You don't know the Scriptures." "And as touching the dead, that they rise." (12:26) - "And concerning the dead, are they resurrected?" "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" (12:26) - Jesus took this from Exodus 3:6. Notice that God did not say He "was" the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob but rather "I am." This simple sentence tells us that there is life after death, that these men still exist, and they still worship God. |
Rendering unto Caesar is also discussed in Matthew 22:15-22 (lesson 44) and Luke 20:20-26.
New Living Translation
Mark: 12:13-27
Taxes for Caesar
13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.
14 "Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don't play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us-is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
15 Should we pay them, or shouldn't we?"
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, "Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I'll tell you."
16 When they handed it to him, he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
17 "Well, then," Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
His reply completely amazed them.
Discussion about Resurrection
18 Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees-religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question:
19 "Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother's name.
20 Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children.
21 So the second brother married the widow, but he also died without children. Then the third brother married her.
22 This continued with all seven of them, and still there were no children. Last of all, the woman also died.
23 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her."
24 Jesus replied, "Your mistake is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God.
25 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.
26 "But now, as to whether the dead will be raised-haven't you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'
27 So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Taxes for Caesar
13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.
14 "Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don't play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us-is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
15 Should we pay them, or shouldn't we?"
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, "Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I'll tell you."
16 When they handed it to him, he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
17 "Well, then," Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
His reply completely amazed them.
Discussion about Resurrection
18 Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees-religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question:
19 "Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother's name.
20 Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children.
21 So the second brother married the widow, but he also died without children. Then the third brother married her.
22 This continued with all seven of them, and still there were no children. Last of all, the woman also died.
23 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her."
24 Jesus replied, "Your mistake is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God.
25 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.
26 "But now, as to whether the dead will be raised-haven't you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'
27 So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him." (12:17)
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" (12:24-26)
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" (12:24-26)
Today's Question:
1. What will life after death be like? (12:25-27)
The most critical step in Bible study is applying what you learn to your life.
1. What will life after death be like? (12:25-27)
The most critical step in Bible study is applying what you learn to your life.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Although we cannot conceive what life after death will be like (Isaiah 64:4; I Corinthians 2:9), we don't need to worry
what awaits if we trust in Jesus. After death, we know we will be spiritual beings that will never perish (1 Corinthians 15:42-53). But, instead of wondering what reward God has created for us, perhaps we should spend our time getting to know Christ better. If we believe in Jesus, we will have no reason to be concerned about our eternal life.
Application thought for the day:
Spend the day pondering what this segment teaches about hypocrisy. Are you a hypocrite?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke