31: Confrontation in the Temple (2) (Mt 22:15-46)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

Perceiving that Jesus was speaking against them in His parables, the Pharisees plotted to trap Him in His words. The Sadducees, who were also angered by Jesus’ parables, joined the Pharisees in challenging Jesus. Through the debate on theological issues, the Lord Jesus proved to be the supreme teacher who had perfect knowledge of God. Then with a question about the scriptural reference to Christ, Jesus decisively silenced the tempters.

B.     Key Verse

            “And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching” (22:33).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.       Herodians (22:16): A party among the Jews of the apostolic age, and keenly opposed to Jesus (Matt. 22:16; Mark 3:6; 12:13)…The party was probably formed under Herod the Great and appears to have held that it was right to pay homage to a sovereign who might be able to bring the friendship of Rome and other advantages, but who had personally no title to reign by law and by religion. On this question they differed from the Pharisees (Matt. 22:16-17), although they joined forces with them in disguised opposition, or in open union against Jesus, in whom they saw a common enemy. The Herodians were obviously something more than a political party and something less than a religious sect. ^10/565

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(22:15-22)

(22:23-33)

(22:34-40)

(22:41-46)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     22:15-22

1. How did the Pharisees’ comment in 16 reflect their hypocrisy? (18)

2a. What would have been the consequence had Jesus answered, “Yes, it’s lawful to pay taxes to Caesar”?

2b. And had Jesus answered “No, don’t pay taxes to Caesar”?

3a. Explain the answer Jesus gave.

3b. How did His answer correct the misconception that lay underneath the question?

4. What are “the things that are God’s”?

5. What can we learn here about Christians’ social obligations and the reasons for these obligations?

B.     22:23-33

6. What point were the Sadducees trying to prove by their question?

7a. According to the Lord, how were the Sadducees ignorant of the Scriptures in their view of the resurrection?

7b. How were they ignorant of the power of God?

8a. How did the quotation in 32 show that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living?

8b. How does this understanding apply to the resurrection?

C.     22:34-40

9. How was the lawyer’s question a test?

10a. What does it mean that “all the Law and the Prophets hang on the two great commandments”?

10b. How is the second great commandment like the first (39)?

D.     22:41-46

11. How did the Pharisees’ inability to answer show their misunderstanding about the Christ?