1. The Life of Jesus (27) Answering the Jewish Leaders Matthew 22:15-45

2. In a Previous Lesson Dealing with enemies He did not sin He appealed to scripture He never compromised He challenged enemies, esp. when disciples where there He lived His life so that accusations were false

3. Pharisees - Taxes Matt. 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26 The Pharisees plotted to entangle Him, “seize on His words in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor” ( Lk. 20:20 ) Along with the Herodians – Roman sympathizers

4. Pharisees - Taxes They “praise” Jesus “Teacher” We know you are true – pure, unhypocritical You teach the way of God in truth – a true message You do not regard the person of man – no favoritism

5. Pharisees - Taxes “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” (22:17) A legitimate question? To His enemies a “loaded question” Jesus perceived their wickedness (hypocrisy, craftiness)

6. Pharisees - Taxes “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” (22:17) He exposed them – hypocrites He asked for a coin –a denarius or “penny” or “tax money” “Whose image is on it?”

7. A Denarius from Tiberius Caesar www.Forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/ www.Forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/ Inscription: Tiberius Caesar of the Divine Augustus, Augustus High Priest (His mother pictured)

8. Pharisees - Taxes “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and render to God the things that are God’s” (22:21) Jesus validated paying taxes and obeying civil law He also evaded their attempt to entrap Him He silenced them

9. Pharisees - Taxes Lessons: (22:21) When dealing with enemies and critics – THINK before you answer. Sometimes a “yes” or “no” answer is not adequate (But other times it is! – Matt. 5:37, Jas. 5:12 )

10. Pharisees - Taxes Lessons: (22:21) Render to Caesar that which belongs to him – Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Pet. 2:13-17 Render to God what belongs to Him – God is worthy of His due – Matt. 6:33, “contrition, faith, love, worship, obedience,…” (Lenski)

11. Sadducees - Resurrection Matt. 22:23-33, Mk. 12:18-27, Lk. 20:27-40 Sadducees – no resurrection, no angels ( Ac. 23:6-8 ) Posed a supposedly paradoxical question

12. Sadducees - Resurrection They describe a woman who married a man who died and brother took her in… Levirate law ( Deut. 25:5- 10, cf. Gen. 36:6-11,… )

13. Sadducees - Resurrection Jesus answered, “You are mistaken, not knowing the scriptures ” ( 22:29 ) He proceeds to explain that in the resurrection No marriage Like the angels – in longevity

14. Sadducees - Resurrection Jesus answered, “But concerning the resurrection…” ( 22:31 ) He speaks of Moses from Ex. 3:6 (“the burning bush passage”), “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob” – noted He is God of the living

15. Sadducees - Resurrection Lessons: A clearer picture of what we will be like after the resurrection Be careful how you answer critics and loaded questions – Prov. 18:13 – weigh your words We need to expose motives and error

16. Greatest command Matt. 22:34-40, Mk. 12:28-34 Pharisees gather together A lawyer (scribe) asks Him a question, “testing Him” He may not be hostile to Jesus

17. Greatest command “What is the greatest commandment?” How is this a “trap”? Perhaps seeing if they could accuse Him of trivializing certain laws Matt. 22:34-40, Mk. 12:28-34

18. Greatest command 1 st “You shall love the Lord your God…” (22:37-38, cf. Deut. 6:5) 2 nd, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (22:39, cf. Lev. 19:18) All law hang on these two commandments (22:40)

19. Greatest command Lessons: Loving God is a must! 1 Cor. 16:22, 1 Jn. 5:3 Loving your neighbor also a must – Rom. 13:9, Gal. 5:14, Jas. 2:8, 1 John 4:21

20. Concerning Jesus Are you for Him or against Him?