Chapter 64

Trappers Trapped

“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 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. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 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. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 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: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” (Matthew 22:15-46)

In the passage before us the Holy Spirit has recorded a series of subtle snares laid by our Lord’s enemies during the last days of his earthly ministry. By their pretentious questions, asked with the pretense of seeking to honor God and understand his truth, these hell-inspired religionists were trying to entangle our Lord, trying to trick him into saying something they could use as an accusation against him. Obviously, their schemes failed. They were taken in their own snare, and retreated in utter confusion. There is much to be learned from this event.

Religious knowledge is not spiritual knowledge. Spiritual knowledge and discernment comes only by faith in Christ (Heb. 11:3). It is attained only by divine revelation (1 Cor. 2:11-16). A saving knowledge of Christ is not a carnal apprehension of the intellect, but the gift and revelation of God the Holy Spirit. — “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Cor. 5:16). Let us be sure we understand what the Spirit of God tells us. Our knowledge of Christ is not a carnal apprehension of the intellect, but the gift and revelation of God the Holy Spirit. Being born again by the omnipotent grace and irresistible mercy of God the Holy Spirit, all who are taught of God, know Christ after the Spirit, and not after the flesh. John Owen wrote…

“Of all the poison which at this day is diffused in the minds of men, corrupting them from the mystery of the gospel, there is no part that is more pernicious than this one perverse imagination, that to ‘believe in Christ’ is nothing at all but to ‘believe the doctrine of the gospel!’”

A Question about Taxes

The Herodians obviously had some connection with both Herod and with the Pharisees. It is really unknown to us who they were, what their connections were, and what their beliefs were. Many have tried to figure out who these men were. I will leave that to them. I want you to see the message the Holy Spirit of God would have us to learn. The Herodians hoped to entangle our Savior with a political question, asking whether it is lawful to pay taxes.

The word “then” in verse 15 directs our attention to the preceding parables given by our Lord. In the parable of the two sons our Savior told them that their religious works would profit them nothing before God (21:31). In the parable of the husbandmen the Pharisees “perceived that he spake of them” (22:45), when he said, “The kingdom shall be taken from you,” and judgment shall fall upon you (22:42-45). Then, the parable of the marriage feast plainly declared the message of God’s sovereign, electing love and irresistible, saving grace (v. 14). That message of grace was the clincher. The Pharisees, the Herodians, and the Sadducees were all enraged by it, and sought to destroy the Son of God for preaching it.

Here is the first thing set before us in this passage. — The cross of Christ, the gospel of God’s free, sovereign, saving grace in Christ, the gospel of God’s free, sovereign, saving grace in Christ alone, is an offence to all natural men, and more offensive to lost religious people than to anyone else (Gal. 5:11).

Why is the gospel of Christ so offensive to self-righteous people? The gospel of Christ declares that man is totally depraved, that all men are spiritually dead, evil at heart, and utterly incapable of doing good before God (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 3:10-20). The gospel doctrine of unconditional election makes salvation to be a matter wholly determined by the immutable will of God, not the will of man (John 15:16; Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Thess. 2:13-14). The sweet message of accomplished redemption by Christ alone, limited atonement, makes salvation to be merited by and effectually secured by Christ, taking man out of the work altogether (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:12). The gospel proclaims grace that is free, irresistible, and effectual, making the new birth and faith in Christ the gifts and operations of the irresistible grace and omnipotent mercy of God the Holy Spirit, not the work of man’s imaginary free will (Ps. 65:4; 110:3; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 2:12). And the gospel of Christ assures every believing sinner of an everlasting, indestructible salvation by Christ (John 10:27-30). The perseverance of the saints makes salvation, grace, and eternal life entirely dependent upon the work of God, and in no way dependent upon the works of man.

Second, we see in verse 16 how Satan often comes against us as a flattering friend, rather than an enraged enemy. The Herodians, who hated our Savior, said to him, “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. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou?” Many may be deceived by seductive kindness and flattery of deceitful men, who would never be moved by direct opposition. Samson, Solomon, and Hezekiah are well-known examples of that fact. Sweet things cause more sickness than bitter things. The warm, balmy sunshine of a bright summer day is far more likely to make a man shed his protective armor than the freezing blasts of winter. Satan is never so dangerous as when he appears to be our friend.

The third lesson, the primary lesson taught by our Lord’s answer to the Herodians is the fact that in all matters of civil law it is our duty to be obedient to civil government. — “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (v. 21; Romans 13:1-7). I do not approve of many things, indeed, of most things promoted and encouraged by the institutions of government in our country. I am thankful for the nation, love it, and am willing to fight to the death to defend the land and liberty God has given us. But those laws of the land that tend to destroy the very fabric of society, I do not and cannot condone.

Yet, wherever the laws of the land do not demand that I violate the Word of God, I am and must be obedient to the laws of civil government. We must be obedient to God, regardless of cost or consequence, even when law forbids our obedience (Acts 4:18-20). But, where Caesar does not demand disobedience to Christ, we must render unto Caesar the things that are his. That includes paying taxes (Matt. 17:27).

A Question about the Resurrection

In verses 23-33 the Sadducees attempted to entangle the Son of God with a question about the resurrection. The Sadducees were the liberals of the day. They denied the resurrection. The Sadducees and the Pharisees were not at all friendly with one another. But they were willing to put aside their differences when it came to opposing Christ. They were happy to work together against him, as in verses 15-22. There are three things in these verses that are as obvious as the sun…

First, we see how utterly dishonest people can be while pretending to sincerely serve God.

“The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 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: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (vv. 23-29).

These men pretended to honor Moses, the Scriptures, and God, though they sought honor only for themselves. And, in their pretentiously pious attempt to destroy the doctrine of Christ, they fabricated a story. Imaginary suppositions are the strongest weapons of religious infidels. While ignoring obvious evidences of divine truth, they pile up suppositions and hypothetical situations to cast reproach upon the revealed truth of the God they despise. When we are confronted with such people, we should simply ignore them. We must never be drawn into debate (which God the Holy Spirit calls the work of the flesh) with people who are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). There are some things we know (1 Pet. 1:18-25), and some things we do not know (Acts 1:7). Spiritual things can be known only by the Word of God and the power of God the Holy Spirit (v. 29). They are never learned by carnal debate.

In verse 30 our Savior shows us something of the blessedness of the resurrection – “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (v. 30). In that blessed, glorious state we shall be as the angels of God. We know very little about the life that awaits us in the resurrection. But there are some things about that which awaits us in resurrection glory that the Lord our God has graciously revealed; and those things are sure: — The glory awaiting us is beyond imagination (1 Cor. 2:9). — No consequence of sin shall follow us into eternity (Rev. 21:4). — We shall be “as the angels of God.” — We shall forever enjoy the immediate presence of our Lord! — In heavenly glory we shall be forever perfectly obedient to his will, serving him perfectly, giving him all glory, without sin, and without the restraints or needs of these carnal bodies!

Then, the Lord Jesus speaks about his eternality as God our Savior.

“But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine” (vv. 31-33).

Our Savior quotes Exodus 3:6 in the present tense: – “I am (not was) the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Remember, the God who spoke those words to Moses out of the burning bush is Christ himself, the Angel of the Lord. Then he adds these words – “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” He is telling us that he is the eternal God, and assures us that all who die in him are not dead, but living. Because he is the Resurrection and the Life, those who trust him shall never die (John 11:25-26).

A Question about the Law

Next, the Pharisees sent one of their lawyers to tempt the Savior with a question about the law.

“But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (vv. 34-40).

The word “lawyer” here does not refer to the kind of lawyer you might find in a court of law. This man was not a trial lawyer, or a civil lawyer, but a religious lawyer, the worst kind of lawyer! He was a man whose life and business it was to study and teach the Mosaic law, with all the customs and traditions appended to it by men.

Again, there are three things in these verses that must be understood: (1.) The law of God is holy, just, and good. What a blessed place this world would be if all men loved God and one another! But, (2.) no sinful man is capable of obeying God’s holy law. The grace of God teaches us to love God and one another (1 John 3:16-17; 4:9-11), and enables us in a measure to do so; but our best love is full of sin! (3.) The only way any sinner can obey and fulfil God’s holy law is by the doing and dying of Christ, our Representative and Substitute (Rom. 8:1-4). He obeyed the law for us. He paid our debt to the full satisfaction of divine justice. And we fulfill the law by trusting him, only by faith in him (Rom. 3:28).

One Significant Question

In verses 41-46 the Son of God puts forth one question before which all other questions fade into insignificance. — “What think ye of Christ?” With this question of all questions, he snared the fowlers and trapped the trappers. These learned religious men were put to silence by this question. To answer it honestly, they would have been compelled to acknowledge that the Messiah must be both God and man. But, rather than be honest, they held to their religious traditions and went to hell!

I put this question to you. — “What think ye of Christ?” Let me answer for myself and for every saved soul, according to the Scriptures. The Man Christ Jesus is the mighty God (1 Tim. 3:16). Yet, he is really and truly man, the woman’s Seed (Gal. 4:4-6). He is the Lord our Righteousness! (Jer. 23:6; 33:16). He is our all-sufficient Substitute! (2 Cor. 5:21). He is our omnipotent Savior! (Heb. 7:25; Matt. 1:21). He is our all-prevailing Advocate with the Father! (1 John 2:1-2). And he is precious (1 Pet. 2:7).

Overruling Providence

Once more, we see how that our Lord takes what wicked men, inspired by Satan himself, meant for evil, and turns it for good. We should never miss an opportunity to admire the overruling providence of our God, who constantly works all things together for the everlasting salvation of his elect (Gen. 50:20; Ps. 76:10; Rom. 8:28).

The malice of the Herodians, Sadducees, and Pharisees was sweetly overruled to the glory of Christ and the comfort of our souls. Had those wicked men not raised their trivial questions of strife, we would never have had the precious things revealed in this passage. We certainly could never have known the meaning of those words spoken to Moses out of the burning bush had our Savior not explained it to us here. “God in Christ,” wrote Robert Hawker, “is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Speaking of those who have died in Christ, Hawker continued, “All live to him; their souls among the spirits of just men, made perfect, and their bodies, from an union with Christ, resting in this covenant hope of being raised at the last day. For if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

What a sweet, delightful thing it is to realize that our great God made the malice of these wicked men an occasion to put forth that one question of indescribable importance, — “What think ye of Christ?” Again, I am compelled to give you Mr. Hawker’s tremendous comments on that question.

“What think ye of Christ? What think ye of his person, of his offices, characters, relations? What think ye of the completeness, fulness, suitableness, all-sufficiency of his salvation? What think ye of Christ as to his worth, preciousness, beauty, glory? What, as to his value, importance, his absolute necessity, and the living without knowing him, and the dying without enjoying him? Oh! for the proper apprehension of Jesus! Oh for the absolute and certain union with him, and interest in him! The soul that hath so learned Christ, will best know how to enter into the full sense of our Lord’s question; and will best appreciate the being found in him, so as to render all other knowledge of no value, but the knowledge of Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God, for salvation to every one that believeth.”