'Seeing Right Through Their Ways' — Mark 12:13-15
Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”
Key Thought
Jesus saw through the scheme behind the question of the Pharisees and supporters of Herod. He knew their question wasn't an honest one. They weren't looking for God's answer to their question; they were looking for a way to trap Jesus. The followers of Herod would have demanded that the people pay tax to keep the Romans appeased. The Pharisees would deeply resent having to pay tax to anyone, especially the Romans. By teaming up, they thought they had Jesus trapped into an answer that would alienate one or the other. Instead, Jesus confronted them with the truth of their deception and then challenged them with the truth. (Jesus' truth, his answer, comes in the following verses. [1])
[1] Mark 12:16-17.
Today's Prayer
O Father, please give me discernment so that I can recognize the intent of people's words when they speak to me. I want to respond to people fairly and honestly. Yet, dear Father, I don't want to get bogged down in meaningless and spiteful arguments about words. Give me wisdom in the use of words and in my ability to hear the true messages that are spoken to me. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Romans 13:1-7
1 Peter 2:13-17
Psalm 120:2
Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”
Key Thought
Jesus saw through the scheme behind the question of the Pharisees and supporters of Herod. He knew their question wasn't an honest one. They weren't looking for God's answer to their question; they were looking for a way to trap Jesus. The followers of Herod would have demanded that the people pay tax to keep the Romans appeased. The Pharisees would deeply resent having to pay tax to anyone, especially the Romans. By teaming up, they thought they had Jesus trapped into an answer that would alienate one or the other. Instead, Jesus confronted them with the truth of their deception and then challenged them with the truth. (Jesus' truth, his answer, comes in the following verses. [1])
[1] Mark 12:16-17.
Today's Prayer
O Father, please give me discernment so that I can recognize the intent of people's words when they speak to me. I want to respond to people fairly and honestly. Yet, dear Father, I don't want to get bogged down in meaningless and spiteful arguments about words. Give me wisdom in the use of words and in my ability to hear the true messages that are spoken to me. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Romans 13:1-7
1 Peter 2:13-17
Psalm 120:2
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