Monday, January 18, 2021

Jesus Challenged by the Pharisees - Matthew 22:16

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle” Jesus “in his talk”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse sixteen of his book Matthew shared how the Pharisees, “sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians” where we read:

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither care you for any man: for you regard not the person of men.

The verse reads, And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and they sent out” which means “the Pharisees ordered and set apart“unto him” or “to Jesus” “their disciples” which refers to “the Pharisees students, pupils and attendants” “with the Herodians” or “alongside the partisans of Herod”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Master” or “teacher or instructor”, “we know” which means “the Pharisees and the Herodians perceive, discern, discover and understand” “that you are true” or “that Jesus is one speaking the truth and truthful”, “and teach” which means “and impart instruction or one who holds discourse with others in order to instruct them” “the way of God” or “the proper traveled road and course of conduct according to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “in truth” which means “in what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man in both moral and religious truth”. Matthew shared how the Pharisees “discharged” their students along with “partisans of Herod” who declared Jesus to be “true” and one who “teaches” God's pathway of “truth”.

The verse goes on to say, “... neither care you for any man: for you regard not the person of men.” Matthew continued with the words, “neither care you” which means “nor and in no way does Jesus regard or is concerned” “for any man” or “on behalf of any person whether male or female”: “for you regard not” which means “because, since and on account that Jesus did not gaze upon, observe and turn His thoughts toward” “the person of men” or “the countenance, look and appearance belonging to people whether male or female”. Matthew shared how the Pharisees' students also stated how Jesus did not give special attention toward people's person-hood or station in life.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how these students of the Pharisees were sent along with the authorities under Herod to attempt to trap Jesus in His words. They began by seeming to acknowledge Jesus' qualities for “truth, teaching truth, not giving preferential treatment to people, nor paying attention to their position in life”. God loves every person, and His desire is to have them live eternally with Him. He provided His Son Jesus to pave the way for people to relate to Him, and those who yield their lives to Jesus, regardless of their position or station in life, shall not only be saved in this life, but shall receive “everlasting life” with God.

Next time Matthew shares how the Pharisees asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites,
http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.







 

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