SN - notes from 4/17/10
SN 4/17/10 Jesus, taxes, and the resurrection Mark 12:13-27 context - feeling wronged by His parable and frustrated at not being able to physically harm Him, the Pharisees and Herodians partner to turn either the people or government against Jesus. their method - to catch Him in a contradiction. On taxes v13 - Pharisees and Herodians observation 1 - pharisees = a group of specially observant and influential Jews, mainly in Palestine, from the second century b.c. to the first century a.d. The name is obscure. It may mean ‘separate ones’ in Hebrew observation 2 - Herodians = a Jewish political party who sympathized with (Mark 3:6; 12:13; Matt, 22:16; Luke 20:20) the Herodian rulers in their general policy of government, and in the social customs which they introduced from Rome. observation 3 - although generally enemies, they both view Jesus as a threat to their power, and therefore partner to bring Him down. v14a - we know that you are true… observation 1 - Spurgeon said, “It is always best not to know, nor wish to know, what is being said about you, either by friends or foes. Those who praise us are probably as much mistaken as those who abuse us.” v14b - v15a - is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? observation 1 - There were three taxes imposed by the Romans on Judea. 1. ground tax = 10% of all grain and 20% of all wine and fruit. 2. income tax = 1% of a man’s income. 3. poll tax = 1 denarius a year (about a day’s wage for a working man) observation 2 - since this taxation began in 6 AD, the very idea of it was very much hated by the Jews. observation 3 - If Jesus says, “no” - then He’s a rebel against the Roman government, if He says, “yes”, then He’s telling the Jews that He’s ok with Roman taxation. v15b-16 - “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” observation 1 - If they had rendered to God initially, they wouldn’t have to be rendering anything to Rome. observation 2 - Jesus alludes to the fact that we have a dual citizenship of sorts - a temporary one to our respective country, and a permanent one in heaven. observation 3 - in light of this: 1. we have duties to both (see Romans 13:6-7 and Genesis 1:28) observation 4 - we abide under both until our earthly citizenship conflicts with our heavenly v17 - they marveled… On resurrection - v18a - the sadducees observation 1 - A sect of the Jews (Ac 5:17); denied the resurrection and a future (Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27); the resurrection was a cause of dispute between them and the Pharisees (Ac 23:6-9); were refused baptism by John (Mt. 3:7); observation 2 - Morris on the Sadducees: “They were the conservative, aristocratic, high-priestly party, worldly minded and very ready to cooperate with the Romans, which, of course, enabled them to maintain their privileged position.” v18b - who say there is no resurrection… observation 1 - addressed a few weeks ago during easter - no rez = no hope, no life meaning, no focus, no power, and no salvation! v19 - Moses… observation 1 - They only believed the first 5 books were legit. observation 2 - they are alluding to Deut. 25:5-6 v20-v23 - the 7 brothers scenario observation 1 - the probabilities of this are very, very unlikely. v24 - “Are you not therefore 7mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? observation 1 - mistaken about the power of God (see v 25) observation 2 - mistaken about the word of God (see verse 26 and 27) observation 3 - mistakes about either the word of God, power of God, and, as we saw last week, the love of God are “great mistakes” indeed. APPLICATIONS 1. Do well civically (know your mission 1) 2. Do well eternally (know your mission 2) 3. Do well theologically (know His word, know His power) 4. Do well relationally (know His love)
