No one is ever going to look good trying to “trip up” Jesus! The Son of God, the embodiment of wisdom, will not be “stumped,” outwitted or made a fool. It is Tuesday, just prior to the Cross. Four questions dominate Matthew 22. Three questions are asked by Christ’s adversaries or critics. The fourth is asked by Jesus Himself. The gospel of Matthew powerfully depicts Jesus as the long-awaited King and Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament. Jesus is the Master and Lord of every circumstance. Jesus is the Master Teacher. Not only this, but He also is the Master Answerer and the Master Questioner. Briefly examining the questions in Matthew 22 proves most helpful.
The first question is asked in Matthew 22:15-22 and is a political question about paying tribute to Caesar. Interestingly, the question is asked by “disciples” of the Pharisees and by the Herodians. In other words, the question is asked by those in league with the power hungry and arrogant Herodian family and by “wannabe Pharisees.” These are surely strange bedfellows! Yet they unite in a common cause against Jesus. The Lord replies to their question with, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (vs. 21). Just as Caesar’s coin bore his image and belongs to him, so humanity bears God’s image and belongs to Him. Those who heard the Lord’s response “marveled” (vs. 22).
The second question found in Matthew 22 comes from the Sadducees in verses 23-33 and is a doctrinal question concerning marriage and the Resurrection. The Sadducees were known for their often secular and materialistic mindset. They did not believe in the Resurrection and accepted only the first five Books of Moses. Jesus responds with, “You do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God” (vs. 29). Our Lord then quotes from Exodus 3:6 as God said to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He masterfully adds, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (vv. 31-32). Matthew adds that the crowd was “astonished at His teaching” (vs. 33).
The third question is asked by an expert in the law on behalf of the Pharisees and is an ethical question having to do with “the great commandment in the law” (Mat. 22:34-40). The Pharisees were known for their dedication to the law and for their separatism from what they considered unholy. Throughout the ministry of Christ, they often are seen as religious leaders who are hard-hearted and who miss the point. The individual who asks the question is no “wannabe Pharisee,” but a formidable and articulate expert. The Lord responds to the question without hesitation and in a biblical way that removes any possibility of debate or successful rebuttal.
The fourth question in Matthew 22 is asked by Jesus and is a personal one (vv. 41-46). The Lord asks, “What do you think of Christ? Whose Son is He?” (vs. 42). If the preceding question deals with the essence of what the law is about, this question deals with the loftiness of the Lord and Messiah. When the Pharisees respond the Lord quotes Psalm 110 where David “in the Spirit” calls Him “Lord” and further asks, “If David then calls Him Lord, how is He his son?” (vv. 44-45). Matthew concludes the chapter with, “And no one was able to answer Him a word, neither did any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions” (vs. 46).
Every age has those who question and criticize Jesus. However, it seems most appropriate to seriously consider this last question first.
-Mike Vestal
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