Actions Speak Louder than Words

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:15-17).

To entangle means to trap. The plotting to trap Jesus was done in secret among enemies - the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Herodians were not members of Herod’s family or Herod’s court, but were partisans or followers loyal to Herod. What trap did they hope to spring on Jesus?

Mosaic Law stipulated that a stranger (non-Jew) should not be king over the Jews (Deuteronomy 17:15). Herod was Idumean, born in southern Palestine, the son of Antipater, and an Edomite - a descendant of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. He had become king of Judea by appointment of Julius Caesar. Herod maintained that Mosaic Law referred only to a voluntary choice of a king, and did not refer to a necessary submission where they had been overpowered by force. His followers, the Herodians, supposed that it was lawful in such cases to pay tribute to a foreign ruler. This opinion was very unpopular among the Jews, and particularly the Pharisees, who looked upon it as a violation of their law, and regarded all the acts growing out of it as oppressive.

If Jesus said it was not lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Herodians were ready to accuse Him of being an enemy of Herod and Caesar. If Jesus said it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Pharisees were ready to accuse Him of being an enemy to the Jews by supporting an extremely unpopular practice and being an enemy of their rights as Jews.

It is noteworthy that the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Herodians was blatant and obvious. Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. They didn’t believe a word of their compliment to Jesus. By these words they were hoping Jesus would be enamored and caught off guard. But they didn’t understand the spiritual discernment Jesus possessed. Earlier it was said of Him by John the Apostle, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man (John 2:23-25).

“Lord Jesus, Scripture teaches that You know the thoughts of our mind and intent of our heart, that You know what we need before we ask You. Remind us that You desire honesty and truth and that we cannot deceive You with our words. You know if our words of praise to You are genuine or if they are simply an attempt to garner favor with You. May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart always be acceptable to You. Amen.”

Pastor