Questions and Answers
As part of the plan to condemn Jesus and have him executed, the scribes and Pharisees tried to set him up with questions to trap him in his answers.
They watched him, v.20, and sent forth spies which should feign themselves just men. These guys had no idea who they were dealing with. Jesus is God who weighs the spirits, tries the hearts, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
They were trying to take hold of his words, v.20, so they might delver him over to the power and authority of the governor. They had already devised their plan, then, to pressure Pilate to crucify him.
However, they were playing right into the “hand” of the Lord who prophesied how Jesus would die, and by whom he would die, and to whom God had given the power to kill him, Jn 19:10-11.
They said, “Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly”, v.21. They didn’t believe that for a minute. Flattery ensnares the one flattered or the one flattering, Prov 29:5. “Neither acceptest thou the person of any”. He was certainly no respecter of persons. They knew this was true. “Teachest the way of God truly”. This is true, but they didn’t believe it.
The question, “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no”? They had already questioned Peter about this back in Matt 17:24-27. It was lawful, Rom 13:1-8 even Paul would agree. Nevertheless, they still brought this accusation against him when they falsely accused him in Lk 23:2.
He perceived their craftiness. They were asking the question in a way in which they hoped to trap him. He replied, “Why tempt ye me”? He called them out as spies right away. We’re reminded of the time when Ahijah, the prophet, called out Jeroboam’s wife when she feigned herself to be another woman, 1 Ki 14:1-6.
Jesus told them to shew him a penny. And then he inquired about the image and superscription on the coin. When they said it was Caesar’s he told them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, v.25.
They could not take hold of his words, v.26. They were trying to catch something out of his mouth to use against him, Lk 11:54. Rather they marveled at his answer. They never considered that he would give that answer. So, they held their peace, because they couldn’t think of another way to catch him.
Then came the Sadducees who deny any resurrection, v.27-33.
And they questioned him about Deut 25:5-6. In their hypothetical illustration, seven brothers married the same woman and she died childless. The question was, “in the resurrection whose wife of them is she”? v.33.
Jesus explained that the children of this world marry, v.34, but “they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage”, v.35. “Neither can they die anymore”, v.36. “They are equal unto the angels”. The Sadducees didn’t believe in them either, Acts 23:8.
They are the children of God, v.36, being the children of the resurrection. This is when we have our glorified and resurrected bodies.
That the dead are raised Moses shewed when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, Ex 3:6, 4:5, Matt 22:31-32. God said this and Moses wrote it down. He is the God of the living not of the dead.
After these questions and answers, the scribes said, “Master, thou hast well said”. Sounds like these were among those who believed in the resurrection (Acts 23:8).
Yet “they durst not ask him any question at all”. So, then Jesus asked them a question in Lk 20:41-44 and they couldn’t answer. He quoted Ps 110:1, and asked them how David could call his son the Lord. The only way this would be possible is that his son would have to be the Son of God.
Then, in audience of the people, he said “Beware of the scribes”. He was talking about the ones who had just said, “Master, thou hast well said”, v.39. And then he described the things they do in their positions of authority, v.46-47.
He concluded his comments by saying, “The same shall receive greater damnation”. This statement was certain to stir them up to be fully committed to kill him.
In the exchange of questions and answers, Jesus answered their questions in a way that they could use nothing he said against him. Yet, when he asked them one question, they were speechless.
To study the previous lesson, click on The Parable of the Vineyard.