Sep9
Matthew 22:15-17..Working
22:15 Then (Following Jesus’ judgment parables against the religious leaders-Chps.21-22) the Pharisees (Religious Separatists) went out (took council) and laid plans (plotted, conspired) to trap him in his words. (entangle-K.J.V.-3802-To ensnare, entrap, provoke, to make an elicit remark. Embroil,) 16 They sent their disciples (students, pupils) to him (Suggests to look less like tempters and more like sincere learners.) along with the Herodians.–(A Jewish political party who supported King Herod and the Roman Empire. Who were there to report any seditious remarks made by Jesus against Rome.) “Teacher,” (Rabbi) they said, we know you are a man of integrity (honest, forthright, uncompromising. Was a false complement of flattery meant to stroke Jesus’ ego into answering their question.) and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. (straightshooter, calls it like it is.) You aren’t swayed by men because you pay no attention to who they are. (One who is impartial. Unaffected by influence or swayed by threats of power, doesn’t play favorites.) 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right (lawful based on O.T. law) to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (An annual pol-tax paid by every adult Jew to Rome. Was a loaded question meant to put Jesus between a rock and a hard place. That whatever Jesus said He would end up offending someone. If He answered “Yes” it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, He would appear as a Roman sympathizer, losing His popularity with the Jews. Or if He answered “No” it was not lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, He would be arrested for treason against Rome resulting in His death. We find the same controversial and hotly debated issues when it comes to religion and politics.)
Continued From Book
“Warns how people will manipulate us through flattery to get us to do what they want. (Don’t fall prey to false praise!). ⇒ Don’t go around thinking just because someone is nice to you or flatters you on how religious and godly you are. Or who complement’s you on how smart you are and how much they really like you and interested in what you have to say. When in truth their really trying to get us to drop our guard down. To flatter someone is perfectly appropriate, but to flatter someone with things you don’t really mean or in order to win something for yourself is wicked.
Additional Notes & Applications
Warns those who are jealous of our success will try to turn the tides against us.
Teaches how the image we present to the world is a key indicator of where our allegiance really lies.
Teaches how we have a greater purpose in life, that its not all about material things, but about bearing the image of God through a life of service, worship, love, devotion, obedience, and compassion.
Teaches how there’s nothing more likely to ensnare the followers of Christ then getting them to meddle in disputes about worldly politics.
The same type of false flattery & manipulation that’s being used here is similar to when people say such things like: “Hey boss you’re looking good today, I like that tie you bought, good choice! now about that raise you promised me”. Or “Teacher that was a brilliant point you made, if you don’t mind I would like to add it to my term paper, provided you allow me to turn it in a little past the deadline”. Or “Mother your such a good cook, can I have another cookie”. Or “Your looking slim & fit today, __?____.
It’s usual that two groups of people who were completely different as night & day on almost every issue would come together in their hatred and dislike of Jesus. It would be like the Republicans & Democrats coming together and cooperating in Congress. Or liberals & conservatives cooperating on an abortion bill. Or the KKK. and the NAACP going out on a picnic together. The Pharisees feared Jesus as a threat to their religious power and authority. The Herodians feared Jesus was a threat to their political power in ushering in the Kingdom of God and over throw Rome. With Herodians, the Pharisees could blend in without having to go all out in a full frontal assault. As well as getting them to carry out their dirty work in putting Jesus to death for political reasons. An idea that was not lost on them later, when they came to Pilate with the same trumped up charges.
In order to understand their question about paying taxes to Caesar. You have to understand part of the political picture that was taking place in Israel at that time. Judea became a Roman province in 6 AD. However, the Romans had been in control of the area since 63 BC, when Roman general Pompey conquered Jerusalem and its surrounding areas. The Romans deposed the Hasmonean dynasty, who had ruled Judaea since around 140 BC, and made Herod the Great “King of the Jews” in about 40 BC. From 6 to 39 AD, Judea was directly ruled by the Romans, while Galilee was ruled by Herod’s son Herod Antipas. During this time, Jews in Judaea maintained some independence, including their religious freedoms and the ability to judge offenders by their own laws. The Romans also instituted the Jewish Poll-Tax in the form of a Roman Denarius for every male Jew between 14 and 65 years old. Which amounted to days wage. The Jews resented having to pay money to finance a Roman imperial cult and idolatries government. Why should they pay taxes to Pagan invaders, when God owns the land, when God owns the Temple, when God owes everything else. As believers we know exactly how they felt when we reluctantly send our tax dollars to governments, whether state or federal, that is hostile to God, that finance programs and education systems that attack our faith and assault our Christian values. Not only that, but what really enraged the Jews is that they had to use a coin that had an inscription that claimed Caesar as the Son of God and High Priest. To them that was a slap in the face.
- Posted by David Costa/
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