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 seventeen of his book Matthew shared how the disciples of the Pharisees asked Jesus, “is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not?” where we read:
Tell us therefore, What do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
The verse reads, “Tell us therefore, What do you think?” Matthew began with the words, “Tell us” which means “speak and say to the Pharisees' students” “therefore” or “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so”, “What do you think” which means “what do you suppose, please or seem as good”? Matthew shared how the students of the “Pharisees” asked Jesus what He thought about their next question.
The verse continues, “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” Matthew added the words, “is it lawful” which means “is it right and according to the law” “to give tribute” or “to grant, bestow, supply, furnish and deliver taxes, levy and census” “unto Caesar” which refers to “the surname of Julius Caesar which adopted by Octavius Augustus and his successors afterwards became a title and was appropriated by the Roman emperors as part of their title and means severed”, “or not” or “or neither and never in any way”? Matthew shared how Jesus asked the disciples of the “Pharisees” whether it was “right” to pay “taxes” or not.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the “religious leaders” attempting to trap Jesus in His words again. This time they sent their “disciples” to ask Him whether they should pay “taxes” or not. Jesus will answer their question in the next verses, but suffice it for now to know attempting to “fool” or “ensnare” Jesus Christ was and is a foolish venture. God wants people to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him as “Savior and Lord”, they shall appreciate even more the wonderful ability Jesus had in answering perpetrators questions.
Next time Matthew shares how, “Jesus perceived their wickedness” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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