Why Do You Tempt Me? - Matthew 22:18

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle” Jesus “in his talk. Tell us therefore, What do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse eighteen of his book Matthew shared how Jesus asked the Pharisees' students, “why do you tempt me?” where we read:

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why do you tempt me, you hypocrites?

The verse reads, “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ...” Matthew began with the word, “But” which means “nevertheless, nonetheless, moreover and” “Jesus” which refers to “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “perceived” which means “understood, was acquainted with and aware of” “their wickedness” or “the disciples of the Pharisees' depravity, iniquity, malice and evil purposes and desires” “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Matthew shared how Jesus knew what the disciples of the Pharisees were attempting to do to Him and asked the following question.

The verse goes on to say, “... Why do you tempt me, you hypocrites?” Matthew continued with the word, “why” which means “for what reason and cause” “do you tempt me” or “do the Pharisee's disciples attempt, endeavor and try to maliciously and craftily test and examine Jesus”, “you hypocrites” which means “you stage actors and players, dissemblers and pretenders”? Matthew shared how Jesus called the disciples of the Pharisees “pretenders and stage actors” as He asked them why they were attempting to “maliciously” test and try Him.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus exposed the slickness of these “students of Pharisees”. Their attempt to trick Jesus into saying something that would indite Him or implicate Him in some wrongdoing failed, and when we consider that Jesus is the Messiah sent from God, it was foolish of them to do so. God desires every person to have personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they “believe and trust” in Him, there shall be no need or desire to “fool” Him like these Pharisee's students.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus said to, “show me the tribute money” , 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.