22: Dispute of Tax & Resurrection: The nature and the power of the Kingdom (Mark 12:13 – 34)

They brought two issues to Jesus Christ, which had been debated among them. Jesus clarified their confusion and revealed the nature of the Kingdom. 

πŸ‘‰ Read Mark 12:13 - 34

1. Phrases in verses 13 – 15 hint that they were testing Jesus. The Pharisees and the (              ) came together to Jesus and appraised Him, saying Jesus was (            ) and taught the way of God in (             ).’ It was hypocrisy. 

Herodians, truthful, truth.

The Pharisees desired to restore the Davidic kingdom and thus refused to pay taxes to Caesar. The Herodians were related and supportive of King Herod and, thus, claimed to pay taxes. They didn’t agree with each other but came together for one goal: to trap Jesus. 

Their lips seemed seeking truth, but their hearts sought to kill Jesus. We often do the same in our disputes with others. Our purpose in the disputes is not the truth but the victory.


2. “Give to Caesar the thing that are (             ), and to God the things that are (             ).”

Caesar’s, God’s

What is God’s? The denarius coin is Caesar’s because it has Caesar’s image on it. Man is God’s because he has God’s image. Man should live for God’s glory. 

Jesus’ saying in verse 17 implies that they should give what belongs to God, glory and honor. However, the Pharisees sought the glory that belonged to God.

Also, this verse tells that the Kingdom of God doesn't have much with the worldly kingdoms.


3. Sadducees didn’t believe in resurrection because of the contradictory topic, as in verses 19 – 23. Jesus pointed out their two mistakes. (24) What are they? (25, 26-27)

They thought we would live the same lifestyle after resurrection as we live now.

They didn’t believe in the power of God before whom dead Abraham could be considered alive. For God, he is the same whether dead or alive because He has the power to revive him anytime He wants.

God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob at the same time. It is not that He was the God of Abraham and now the God of Isaac.


Two episodes show that the Kingdom is not understood by the rules and the values of this world. The scope and grandeur of the Kingdom of God will be far beyond our imagination. We’d better not limit God’s power according to our experience and understanding.


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