In the 4 Gospels, we see the Lord Jesus Christ revealing God’s word to the religious leaders in Israel, the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Scribes. It is thrilling to see and hear the words spoken to this religiously educated and “intellectual” crowd by One who was brought up outside their their social class and upbringing.
Even as a child, Jesus knew that the way to best teach these religious people the truth of God’s word, who already had their own biblical doctrines, was through using godly logic.
The religious leaders, as a group, who loved and served God, were divided by their doctrines. We will see how Jesus, in love and sometimes anger, destroyed their doctrines by their own logic, which was hindering their callings and service to God.
In the book of Mark, we will see an exchange with these who saw Jesus as a friendly competitor. Later, after they were “served” with scriptural logic, they chose to stick to their doctrines and Jesus became their enemy.
The encounters in these passages reveal truths we should consider in our own lives and relationships, in our desire to grow in God’s word:
1Co 8:1b …we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Let’s seek to know and have a clear understanding of God’s word, giving it first place above our own human logic and reasonings.
Pharisees Ask Jesus about God and Money
Mar 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
- Their first mistake was being self assured that “they knew it all” and believed their doctrine correct. Humility is the best attribute of a true disciple (learner).
Mar 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
- The false praise comes before the snare. This is similar to Satan’s enticing words to Adam and Eve in the garden. Jesus saw right through them.
Mar 12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
- In their question, the Pharisees revealed their true motives. They were seeking justification for their love of money, which they felt having it raised them above other classes. They believed that God had elevated them because of their great wisdom and character to a higher financial status.
Mar 12:16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
- This coin represented the authority and power of the current government. Who the Pharisees loved and served could be quantified with His answer.
Mar 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
- The Pharisees beliefs (doctrine) that God uses money to show His favor was really an prideful trap to divide people into social classes, thus making them “better” and not responsible for serving their fellow man, who was by human logic, not as blessed by God as they were.
- Jesus previously revealed that a real neighbor was the one who helped out the “have nots” when they were in need. God’s rewards for faithful service to and for Him in ways that are eternal, not merely temporal.
After schooling the “natural” (or carnal) crowd of religious leaders, Jesus addresses the “spiritual“ ones. These “intelligencia’s” beliefs (doctrines) set them apart and elevate them above their fellow man. They believed they understood the deeper things of the scriptures, thus separating them from any unecessary contact with the common man. They got all their spiritual wisdom and insight from God Himself (they believed). Besides God Himself, who could teach them anything?
The Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
Mar 12:18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
Mar 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
- These religious leaders have “scriptural proof” for all they believe. Who can argue with that? Not even God Himself can deny that their doctrine is not scriptural. If it’s not specifically addressed in Bible, they believe it’s up to them to interpret it, because God’s truth is revealed through their wisdom.
Mar 12:20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
- The following discussion is as much useless, vain babbling as the question, “Did Adam have a belly button?” What a waste of one’s time and a distraction from learning God’s word and it’s relevance to one’s life.
Mar 12:21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
- And how many angels could dance on the head of a pin?
Mar 12:22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
- Such an obtuse question could not have a sensible answer, but would only lead to more conjecture and wasted time in discussing it.
Mar 12:23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
- They are asking the Teacher about something they don’t even believe in? They are only asking Jesus this question so they could argue with him about His answer. They have no humility at all.
Mar 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
- A priceless answer. The Sadducees took much pride in knowing and interpreting the scriptures and Jesus pointed it their ignorance. Not only ignorance of scriptures, but knowing the manifestation of God’s power.
Mar 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
- Jesus spoke as one who knew the answers, not as one who was only able to make an educated guess.
Mar 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
- Now, He’s teaching the teachers of the law from their favorite book, and acknowledging their having much Bible knowledge, but little understanding .
Mar 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
- Jesus uses God’s own words to prove that resurrection is totally reasonable, since life after death is referred to here.
The Deceptive Scribes
After seeing the commotion and discussion going on, enters the third and final group of religious interrogators, the scribes. Each of these religious factions were hoping to impress the crowds with the depths of their understanding and knowledge. The common people really didn’t like any of these teachers and were tired of having to listen to their empty diatribes regarding their doctrines.
The Great Commandment
- Mar 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? The scribes were a little slicker when questioning Jesus. They were the ones believing that “God understands the choices they make and the things they do and is okay with them, because they truly love everybody and that’s the most important thing. Their actions are dependent on how they feel and not on God’s word. Their doctrine is that they’re smart enough to know what human relationships are more important than others. It was their gift from God to know how to get things done by using people.
Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
- Jesus doesn’t try to manipulate people, He tells them the real truth and believes they will grow from hearing it.
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
- Putting God first, with total commitment to serve Him, is the best purpose for our daily lives.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
- Right after serving God, commitment to serve your fellow man, is really our purpose for being.
Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
- They admitted Jesus had correctly answered, only to slyly look for another way to test Him.
Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
- They admitted these things quietly, so the onlookers might not hear them capitulating that Jesus answered them correctly.
Mar 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
This is rather humorous. The scribes whispered their response, So Jesus whispered again back to them.
The Bible says that no one dared question Jesus anymore about religious matters. They didn’t want to give Him the opportunity again to show everyone that He was their superior. Jesus now takes advantage of their silence, to point out how this group (the scribes) failed God and abused their position, while always being quite pleased with themselves.
Jesus Questions Their Doctrines
Mar 12:35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?
- Jesus is asking them to support and clarify a doctrine they preached, but did not comprehend or have any spiritual revelation about.
Mar 12:36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
- He is now questioning them, just like they questioned Him. Not for their answers, but to show a lack of knowledge. These scribes loved receiving honor and respect from the people, but we’re not being shown worthy to receive it.
Mar 12:37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
- Jesus, the hero of the common man, shows that religious doctrines do not pressure Him, since He knows the word of God already. What use are these interpreters of the law to Him? These leaders thought they were important men, rather than God’s servants to the nation of Israel. They were prideful.
Beware of the Scribes
Mar 12:38 And He said unto them in His doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
- While the scribes thought there actions were always reasonable and enlightened, Jesus revealed their soulish motivations. Jesus’ doctrine was to beware of these so called religious leaders.
Mar 12:39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
- They were always positioning themselves and trying to look better than their associates. They enjoyed being envied for their position. They seem to have an almost satanic drive for recognition.
Mar 12:40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
- Finally their deeds are unmasked and their judgment from God is pronounced.
Jesus was not being being angry with them as people, He loves all people. If any of them repented, He would have gladly forgiven and restored them. He was angry with how man had defiled their positions, while representing God and His word to the people. By their doctrines, these religious leaders had turned away from God, body, soul and spirit. Like Satan, they wanted to make themselves exalted like God, by using religion. Religion puts people into bondage, while Jesus sets them free to serve God with pure hearts.
We may even recognize these religious characteristics and attitudes in ourselves or others in our congregations or in leadership. This turns off non-believers, making them skeptical of those who profess to serving God. Let us individually strive, as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, to endeavor to honor Him, by presenting His gospel in love, humility and respect for our fellow man and not with religious condemnation.
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