365 Days in the Gospels and Spirit of Prophecy

September 22

Bible discovery

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 365DGSP 266.2

16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 365DGSP 266.3

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 365DGSP 266.4

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 365DGSP 266.5

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 365DGSP 266.6

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 365DGSP 266.7

21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. 365DGSP 266.8

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. 365DGSP 266.9

Mark 12:13-17 365DGSP 266.10

13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 365DGSP 266.11

14 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: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 365DGSP 266.12

15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 365DGSP 266.13

16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 365DGSP 266.14

17 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. 365DGSP 266.15

Luke 20:20-26 365DGSP 266.16

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 365DGSP 266.17

21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 365DGSP 266.18

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 365DGSP 266.19

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 365DGSP 266.20

24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 365DGSP 266.21

25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 365DGSP 266.22

26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. 365DGSP 266.23

Spirit of Prophecy Reading

The Desire of Ages pp.601-603: 365DGSP 266.24

This chapter is based on Matthew 22:15-46; Mark 12:13-40; Luke 20:20-47 365DGSP 266.25

The priests and rulers had listened in silence to Christ's pointed rebukes. They could not refute His charges. But they were only the more determined to entrap Him, and with this object they sent to Him spies, “which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor.” They did not send the old Pharisees whom Jesus had often met, but young men, who were ardent and zealous, and whom, they thought, Christ did not know. These were accompanied by certain of the Herodians, who were to hear Christ's words, that they might testify against Him at His trial. The Pharisees and Herodians had been bitter enemies, but they were now one in enmity to Christ. 365DGSP 266.26

The Pharisees had ever chafed under the exaction of tribute by the Romans. The payment of tribute they held to be contrary to the law of God. Now they saw opportunity to lay a snare for Jesus. The spies came to Him, and with apparent sincerity, as though desiring to know their duty, said, “Master, we know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest Thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” 365DGSP 266.27

No sooner were the Pharisees silenced than the Sadducees came forward with their artful questions. The two parties stood in bitter opposition to each other. The Pharisees were rigid adherents to tradition. They were exact in outward ceremonies, diligent in washings, fastings, and long prayers, and ostentatious in almsgiving. But Christ declared that they made void the law of God by teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. As a class they were bigoted and hypocritical; yet among them were persons of genuine piety, who accepted Christ's teachings and became His disciples. The Sadducees rejected the traditions of the Pharisees. They professed to believe the greater portion of the Scriptures, and to regard them as the rule of action; but practically they were skeptics and materialists. 365DGSP 266.28

The Sadducees denied the existence of angels, the resurrection of the dead, and the doctrine of a future life, with its rewards and punishments. On all these points they differed with the Pharisees. Between the two parties the resurrection was especially a subject of controversy. The Pharisees had been firm believers in the resurrection, but in these discussions their views in regard to the future state became confused. Death became to them an inexplicable mystery. Their inability to meet the arguments of the Sadducees gave rise to continual irritation. The discussions between the two parties usually resulted in angry disputes, leaving them farther apart than before. 365DGSP 266.29