After resting at the “House of Simon,” the small group, consisting of Jesus and the apostles, again take their journey back to Jerusalem and the temple of God. And here perhaps we might quote the story as Mark records: “And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Jesus, “Master behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.” Imagine how impressive the sight was, for in one day a green and flourishing fig tree was “dried up from the roots.” Mark 11:20-22. This was a miracle in itself. Very likely all the apostles were curious and and questioned the rapidity of the drying action brought on the fig tree. Jesus told them to “have faith in God;” and then he tells them what might be accomplished if there was faith enough. Jesus knew what was going to take place during the next few days; he also knew that his apostles would have their faith greatly shaken.
Quoting again from Mark 11 verse 27 — “And they came again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there came to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and elders, and say unto him, by what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority to do these things ?” The scribes and elders had now had twenty four hours to consider how matters stood. Was Jesus some real leader, a prophet, or the Messiah that many of the Jews awaited. Or on the other hand, a shrewd person that would make himself God ? Therefore they challenged him as to his authority. Jesus answered “I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The ‘baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or of men? answer me.” Mark 11:29 and 30.
The scribes and chief priests were at a loss as to how to answer and “reasoned among themselves,” saying, “If we shall say “from heaven,” he will say, why then did ye not believe him ? But if we shall say “of men,” they feared the people; for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.” Mark 11:32 “And they answered and said unto Jesus, we cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” John 11:33 and Matt. 21:27.
Jesus was in complete command; the common people thought surely this was their king, and the scribes and elders were unable to find “a charge against Jesus” even though they stayed close by as he taught the people.
There was a time on this third day when Jesus quoted from the old testament (Isaiah 28:16): “Did ye never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner; this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, the Kingdom of God shall be taken (away) from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Matt. 21:42-44.
And the chief priests “perceived that he spake of them” Matt. 21:45. So the more Jesus spake the more the chief of the Jews hated him, for every time they looked towards Jesus, he spoke a parable that denounced them for what they were. To quote from Jeremiah 23:1, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.” The more Jesus taught the people, the more irritated became the Pharisees, and they took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk, 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.” Matt. 22:15 and 16.
The Herodians, a political minority group, were much opposed to the Pharisees in most matters, but were willing to join forces with them to see if it were possible to humiliate Jesus and bring about his apprehension. By flattery they hoped to entangle Jesus with a statement against the Roman government in such a way as to cause his arrest. They could not comprehend that Jesus’ thoughts were above their reasoning, for God was supporting His son.
Uniting forces then the Herodians and Pharisees presented a very subtle question in hopes Jesus would give an answer for or against giving tax money, they would win either way: “Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?” And were they surprised that Jesus baffled their plan so easily with a clear statement: “Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites ? Show me the tribute money.” Perhaps they wondered what Jesus would say next, for he said “Whose is the image and superscription?” Jesus’ answer completely left them in disarray when he said “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matt. 22:21. After being thus flustered they “went their way,” not wishing for any further encounter.
“The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection, and asked him: “Master, Moses said if a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren, and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother; likewise the second also and the third, unto the seventh, and last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven?” Matt. 22:23-28.
This opened the opportunity for Jesus to show the Sadducee’s the error of their belief as regards resurrection of the faithful. “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God saying, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. Matt. 22: 29-33.
The world has many peoples that still follow in the way of the Sadducee’s, and they will perish according to their belief. Perhaps this verse in John 6:39 might benefit those that would believe in Jesus: “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”
Proceeding then with Matthew 22 verses 34-40: “But when the Pharisees had heard that he (Jesus) had put the Sadducee’s to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus answered: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Jesus was quoting Deut. 6:5.)
While Jesus had the Pharisees all together, he asked them a very provoking question, “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he?” They say unto him, the son of David. This was the answer that Jesus hoped for, so he asked them another question, “How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool ? If David then called him Lord, how is he his son?” Matt. 22:42-45.
“And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.” Matt. 22:46.
Then Jesus took advantage of the lull from questions to inform the common people about the false teachings the scribes and pharisees were doing. All of Chapter 23 is taken up with the denunciation against the Jews in high office and there is no need to quote but a few verses here: “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat; all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not after their works; for they say and do not.” Verses 2 and 3.
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the boarders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” Verses 5-8.
The Jews were greatly offended of course and now more than ever would seek to kill Jesus.
Jesus and the twelve again return to Bethany.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One