Matthew 22:15 says, Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. The Pharisees, some of the most religious of God's chosen people, got together to plot against Jesus. Verse sixteen adds, And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. The Pharisees sent their disciples, along with some Herodians, those who worshipped Herod, to Jesus basically flattering Him. They said they knew that He was no respecter of people because of who they were. It is sad when God's people get together with those who are not his people, especially those who worship false gods, and attempt to discredit God. Verse seventeen says, Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? After saying that they knew Jesus was no respecter of people, they asked Jesus if He thought it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar. They thought if Jesus said yes that they could accuse Him of being hypocritical, and if He said no that they could accuse Him of defying Caesar. Verse eighteen declares, But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Jesus understood what they were up to and asked why they tempted Him. We are never going to outsmart God. Verse nineteen adds, Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. Jesus told this group of religious and governmental people to bring Him some tribute money and they brought Him a penny. Verse twenty continues, And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? Jesus asked them whose image and superscription were on the coin. Verse twenty-one says, They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. The group said that it was Caesar's image and superscription on the coin. Jesus then said for them to render unto Caesar what was Caesar's, and unto God what was God's. Verse twenty-two proclaims, When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. When they heard Jesus' answer, they marveled and went on their way. All we can ever do when we ask a question of God, for whatever reason. is to marvel when He gives us the answer, and accept it and go on our way. Verse twenty-three states, The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Now the Sadducees, who didn't believe in life after death came to Jesus asking Him a question. Verse twenty-four says, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. The Sadducees started by citing a teaching of Moses concerning a married man who died having no children and the fact that his brother was supposed to marry the wife to produce and heir for the dead brother. Verse twenty-five adds, Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: The Sadducees referred to seven brothers, the oldest of which was married and died without having a child. Verse twenty-six continues, Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. All the other seven brothers in order married the woman and died without producing an heir. Verse twenty-seven concludes, And last of all the woman died also. This was quite a tragic story. Verse twenty-eight asks, Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. The Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection, asked Jesus whose wife would the woman be in heaven, since she had been married to all of them. This was simply another attempt by religious leaders to discredit Jesus. Verse twenty-nine declares, Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Jesus told these religious leaders that they erred, not knowing the scriptures and the power of God. The fact that these Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection proved that they did not know either. We need to be careful that our beliefs do not contradict God's word. Verse thirty adds, For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Jesus said in the resurrection, none marry or are given in marriage. Marriage is an institution that ends at death, according to the Bible. The Sadducees thought they could get Jesus to say something contradictory to either God's word or the resurrection, but once again, those who would attempt to discredit Jesus failed, as people always will when attempting to discredit Him.
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