*Luke 20:20-40
Jesus avoids traps set by his opponents with answers regarding paying taxes to Caesar and the afterlife.
- Attempt to Trap Jesus with a Question about Taxes:
- Spies sent by the religious leaders pretend to be sincere as they question Jesus, aiming to trap him in his words.
- They ask whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, hoping to incriminate him.
- Jesus, perceiving their intentions, asks them to show a denarius coin and inquires whose image is on it.
- They reply, “Caesar’s.”
- Jesus responds, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
- The spies are unable to trap him, and they marvel at his answer, remaining silent.
- Sadducees Question Jesus on Resurrection:
- The Sadducees, who deny the concept of resurrection, present a hypothetical question to Jesus.
- They refer to the Mosaic Law, where a man must marry his deceased brother’s widow if the brother leaves no children, to continue the family line.
- They describe a scenario involving seven brothers who each marry the same woman successively after the previous brother dies, all dying without children.
- They ask Jesus whose wife she will be in the resurrection since all seven had been married to her.
- Jesus’ Response on the Resurrection:
- Jesus explains that life in the resurrection is different from earthly life.
- In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but will be like angels and cannot die.
- He emphasizes that the resurrected are “children of God” and “children of the resurrection.”
- Evidence from Moses:
- Jesus points to Moses’ encounter with the burning bush to illustrate the reality of resurrection.
- He recalls God’s words to Moses, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” indicating that God is the God of the living, not the dead.
- Reaction:
- Some of the teachers of the law praise Jesus for his answer, acknowledging that he answered well.
- No one dares to question him further, recognizing his wisdom and understanding.
20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 20:24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s.
20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
20:27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 20:28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
20:29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
20:30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
20:32 Last of all the woman died also.
20:33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
20:37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
20:39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
20:40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.