Matthew 22:15-46

Then the Pharisees went and conspired together plotting how to trap Him by [distorting] what He said. [Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26] They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status]. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, asked, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius [a day’s wage]. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were caught off guard, and they left Him and went away. On that day some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection [of the dead], came to Him and asked Him a question, [Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40] saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘IF A MAN DIES, LEAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIDOW, AND RAISE CHILDREN FOR HIS BROTHER.’ [Deut 25:5] Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. The second also [died childless], and the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman died. So in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.” But Jesus replied to them, “You are all wrong because you know neither the Scriptures [which teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [for He is able to raise the dead]. For in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven [who do not marry nor produce children]. But as to the resurrection of the dead—have you not read [in the Scripture] what God said to you: ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” [Ex 3:6] When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. Now when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced (muzzled) the Sadducees, they gathered together. [Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28] One of them, a lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law], asked Jesus a question, to test Him: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [Mark 12:28] And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ [Deut 6:5] This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ [Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19] The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.” Now while the Pharisees were [still] gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: [Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44] “What do you [Pharisees] think of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” Jesus asked them, “How is it then that David by the inspiration of the Spirit, calls Him ‘Lord,’ saying, ‘THE LORD (the Father) SAID TO MY LORD (the Son, the Messiah), “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES UNDER YOUR FEET” ’? [Ps 110:1] So then, if David calls Him (the Son, the Messiah) ‘Lord,’ how is He David’s son?” No one was able to say a word to Him in answer, nor from that day on did anyone dare to question Him again.

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