Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 12
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Mark 12
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Mark 12
"And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away." — Mark 12:12 (ASV)
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.
Christ's enemies could not injure him then, partly because the people heard him gladly and were ready to protect him, but still more because the appointed time for his suffering and death had not fully come.
"And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk. And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" — Mark 12:13-14 (ASV)
And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his word. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth:
They meant "to catch him in his words," if they could, so they baited their trap with flattery. Whenever a man begins to flatter you, be on your guard against him. If he tries to begin a conversation with you by uttering words of excessive admiration, depend on it that he admires something that you have more than he admires you; and, therefore, be on guard against him.
Our Saviour must, in his heart, have utterly despised men who were so foolish as to imagine that they could entrap him by their flattering words. After that preface, they asked the questions which they thought would impale him upon the horns of a dilemma: –
"And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it." — Mark 12:14-15 (ASV)
Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?
They knew very well that if Christ said, "Do not give tribute to Caesar," the Romans would have arrested him and imprisoned him for preaching sedition. But, on the other hand, if he said, "Pay tribute to Caesar," the Jews would have said that he was their enemy and not a true patriot, for otherwise he would not have admitted that the chosen people were obligated to pay taxes to their Roman conquerors.
"Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar`s. And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar`s, and unto God the things that are God`s. And they marvelled greatly at him." — Mark 12:15-17 (ASV)
But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
He had answered them with matchless wisdom without committing himself in any way.
"And there come unto him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, If a man`s brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed; and the second took her, and died, leaving no seed behind him; and the third likewise: and the seven left no seed. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife." — Mark 12:18-23 (ASV)
No doubt they thought that they had completely entangled him that time. How could he answer such a difficult question as that?
But, you see, they had based their inquiry upon the erroneous supposition that things are to be in another state as they are here; so Jesus was able at once to answer them as effectively as he had just answered the Pharisees and Herodians.
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