Catch Jesus in His Words - Mark 12:13

Mark wrote how Jesus, “began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and dug a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant;and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his well- beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have you not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirteen of his book, Mark shared how the “religious leaders” sent, “unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians” where we read:

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

The verse reads, “And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, ...” Mark began with the words, “and they send” which means “and religious leaders ordered, dismissed and appointed” “unto him” or “to Jesus” “certain of the Pharisees” which means “particular ones belonging to the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “and of the Herodians” who were “the partisans of Herod”. Mark shared how the “religious leaders” “ordered” “particular Pharisees and Herodians” to go to Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “to catch him in his words.” Mark continued with the words, “to catch him” which means “to take by hunting and pursuing Jesus eagerly” “in his words” or “with His own speech and sayings which embodied a conception or idea”. Mark shared how these “Pharisees and Herodians” were sent to “trap” Jesus in His “words” and “ideas”.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see the motive behind these “Pharisees and Herodians” pursuit of Jesus. They were “sent” to Him for the purpose of “trapping” Jesus in the doctrine and teachings He was giving to people. The hearts of these men were “corrupt”, and they believed they could “trip up” the very Son of God. Those who purpose to “catch” Jesus in His “words” have proven their unbelief in Him and His Father God, and they shall do so to their own demise. God loves people, and His desire is to have a loving personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus. Those who receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will inherit “everlasting life” with God, and those who do not shall find themselves “eternally separated” from the only one who offers them salvation.

Next time Mark shares how the “Pharisees and Herodians” said to Jesus, “Master, we know that you are true, and care for no man” 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. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".