Mark wrote how, “they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that you are true, and care for no man: for you regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”, and in chapter twelve and verse fifteen of his book, Mark shared the “Pharisees and Herodians” ask Jesus, “shall we give, or shall we not give?” where we read:
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them,
Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
The verse reads, “Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, ...” Mark began with the words, “shall we give” which means “should the Pharisees and Herodians grant, supply, furnish, present and deliver census or coins with which the tax is paid”, “or shall we not give” or “or should the Pharisees and Herodians not grant, supply, furnish, present and deliver census or coins with which the tax is paid”? “But he” which means “however, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover and Jesus”, “knowing their hypocrisy” or “perceiving, noticing, discerning, discovering, ascertaining and beholding the Pharisees and Herodians' dissimulation and action of a stage player”, “said unto them” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the Pharisees and Herodians” the following words. Mark shared how the “Pharisees and Herodians” wanted Jesus to answer whether or not they were to “pay taxes” to “Caesar” or not, but Jesus knew they were coming to Him with deception and as “stage actors” and asked them the following question.
The verse goes on to say, “Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.” Mark continued with the words, “why tempt you me” which means “for what reason and cause do the Pharisees and Herodians test and endeavor to maliciously and craftily prove Jesus”? “bring me a penny” or “carry and bring forward to Jesus a denarius which means containing ten and was a Roman silver coin used in the New Testament time”, “that I may see it” or “so Jesus could behold and observe the penny”. Mark shared how Jesus asked the “Pharisees and Herodians” “why” they were “testing” Him, and He ordered them to “bring” a “denarius” to Him.
When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “Pharisees and Herodians” believed they could force Jesus to answer their question concerning paying taxes to “Caesar”. However, Jesus knew their “hearts” were not toward Him but were “pretending” like “stage actors”, and He questioned them for “testing” Him as He instructed them to bring Him a “denarius”. Jesus easily knows how to answer any question presented to Him, and anyone who attempts to “challenge” Him shall eventually understand He knows the intent of their hearts. God loves people, and He desires to have a relationship with every one of them through His Son Jesus, and those who are wise will “trust and believe” in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” and leave all their questions to rest in Him.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus asks the “leaders”, “whose is this image and superscription?” 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment