First, we discussed the wicked tenants in the parable of the vineyard and Jesus, the cornerstone, and talked about the hardness of people’s hearts. We quoted a previous article in the discussion. Second, we discussed the topic of whether it is lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not. We also quoted a previous article in the discussion. Third, we talked about what happened after Jesus saw the resurrection of people. We also quoted a previous article. Fourth, we talked about loving God first and loving others as ourselves second. We quoted scriptures saying that we must do so. Fifth, we discussed the question of how David himself called Christ Lord and how Christ is David’s descendant. In the New Testament era, we can easily ask and answer this question. Finally, we mentioned the widow’s two small coins and the tithe, and quoted two previous articles.
1. The parable of the vineyard and the cornerstone
“And He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and put a wall around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers. They took him, and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another slave, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and that one they killed; and so with many others, beating some and killing others. He had one more to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those vine-growers said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ They took him, and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.”(Mark 12:1-12)
Notice that this vineyard had everything inside: a hedge protecting it, a winepress for the grapes, and a dwelling. Doesn’t this resemble salvation? Just as grapes don’t become wine unless they’re pressed, how can a person achieve life-changing changes without experiencing the trials of suffering? “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”(Matthew 24:13). Especially since we know, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, be patient; suffering will eventually pass.
Although Matthew 21:33-46 and Luke 20:9-19 use different wording, they essentially record the same event. We have previously discussed Luke 20:9-19 in some detail in “2. The parable of the evil tenants and its explanation” under “1076 Words of wisdom, evil tenants, and Jesus talking on the resurrection – Jesus (29).” Please go to the website “https://a-christian-voice.com/” and click on “On spiritual understanding about life” to find this article.
Now let’s talk about something we didn’t discuss last time. The Book of Luke clearly states, “He (the owner of the vineyard) will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!””(Luke 20:16) Who wouldn’t do such a thing to such wicked tenants? Why do you still say “May it never be!”
Then it goes on: “Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. When they sought to seize Him, they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet.”(Matthew 21:42-46)
The chief priests and Pharisees knew clearly that He was saying, “…the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.”(Matthew 21:43). “For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. …”(Isaiah 5:7). Therefore, those who heard Him said, “…May it never be!”(Luke 20:16) It also clearly stated the reason they feared the people: because they considered Him a prophet.
Did they not know that Jesus was the Son of God? “John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.””(John 1:32-34) Yes, they knew, but they simply did not believe, and ultimately crucified Jesus. How hardened can people’s hearts be! No wonder Jehovah said to Ezekiel, “I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’”(Ezekiel 2:4) Even though the Lord God spoke, none of them had ears to hear, and their hearts remained hardened.
2. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?
“Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at Him.”(Mark 12:13-17)
Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26 record the same event in different words. We previously discussed Luke 20:20-26 in detail in “1. Examples of words of wisdom” of “1076”. We also discussed the reasons for His wise words there, so we won’t go into detail here. Please find that article.
3. The resurrection
“Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaves no child, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.””(Mark 12:18-27)
Although the Bible does not explicitly state that this actually happened, the probability of it happening would be extremely small. Although we cannot be 100% certain that it actually occurred, we can see that the Sadducees were giving Him a hard time. We know that the same incident is also recorded in Luke 20:27-40, where “Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.”(Luke 20:39-40)
Here, Jesus made it very clear. Previously, in “3. Jesus talks about the resurrection of man” of “1076,” we briefly explained there, ‘The Sadducees thought that they could make things difficult for Jesus, but they did not realize that they did not understand that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living. No wonder they don’t dare to ask him anything anymore.’ If you have read the Book of Revelation, you will know this: “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”(Revelation 4:4) At least the twenty-four elders were already in heaven at that time.
Paul makes this clear: “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”(1 Corinthians 15:13-19)
We must emphasize that Paul was simply stating a fact and would not lie and claim Satan as his father, for he knew full well that “…the devil (Satan)…Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44). Before we are conformed to the image of Jesus, we may sometimes lie unknowingly. For example, we may have been taught from childhood that telling white lies for the benefit of others is acceptable, and thus we may unknowingly lie without realizing it. However, we should never lie if we know something is a lie for sure. It is better to remain silent, even if it sometimes causes us to suffer injustice. In such cases, we know that God will uphold our cause, as the Bible clearly states, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”(Romans 12:17-19)
4. First, love God, and second, love your neighbor as yourself
“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.”(Mark 12:28-34)
In the Old Testament, “Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”(1 Samuel 15:22) No wonder the scribe said, “…is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”(Mark 12:33) Of course, both obedience and sacrifice were required back then. In the New Testament era, there are no sacrifices. “…because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”(Hebrews 7:27)
The same thing is recorded more briefly in Matthew 22:34-40, but it says, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”(Matthew 22:40) The first commandment of the Ten Commandments clearly states the importance of the first commandment, which reads, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”(Exodus 20:3)
As for the second commandment, “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””(Galatians 5:14) This means, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”(Romans 13:8-10) James further emphasizes, “If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.”(James 2:8) Therefore, it is not just about knowing; it is about being able to put it into practice. Knowing is only “…not far from the kingdom of God. …”(Mark 12:34). Knowing is the first step to doing. If you don’t even know, how can you put it into practice?
5. Since David Calls Christ Lord, how can He Be David’s son?
“And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
Until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet.”’ David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him. In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.””(Mark 12:35-40)
The first half of the passage is a quote from Psalm 110:1, “A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””(Psalm 110:1) At that time, they did not know how to ask and answer this question, “David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; so in what sense is He his son?” …”(Mark 12:37) But in the New Testament era, we can all answer this question, that is, we know that David’s Lord is Christ, and Jesus is David’s son in the flesh. Although He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 1:18), we can know from the genealogy that He is David’s son in the flesh. That is, the paternal line can be seen in Matthew 1:1-17, and the maternal line is also the same, which is what is said in Luke 3:23-38. We have previously explained this point very clearly in “2. The genealogy of Jesus” under “1046 The genealogy and the temptations of Jesus, and controversial issues – The image of Jesus (1).” Please find this article.
It does not clearly state who the audiences were, but it can only be said that the scribes may not have been there. Matthew 22:41-46 also mentions Psalm 110:1, but explicitly states, “Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question.”(Matthew 22:41). Luke 20:41-47, while referring to Psalm 110:1, goes on to say, “And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.””(Luke 20:45-47). The best we can say is that the scribes were probably not there.
The Book of Matthew clearly states that Pharisees and scribes are two different kinds of people, as stated in two verses: “Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem …”(Matthew 15:1) and “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! …”(Matthew 23:23). Furthermore, Jesus never quoted the same verse more than once in such a short period of time. Therefore, logically, we cannot tell from the Bible whether Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 more than once. We cannot conclude that these are not referring to the same thing, and therefore there is an obvious contradiction. However, we will definitely pay attention to Psalm 110:1. Therefore, the Bible wants us to pay attention to something, and it does not necessarily inspire an obvious contradiction.
The second half of the passage clearly explains why we should be wary of the scribes. Jesus clearly stated, “…unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”(Matthew 5:20) However, we see that even so, when they say something right, we still have to listen to that right word, as the passage says, “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.”(Matthew 23:1-7) Just as it is today, we should address the matter, not the person, and listen to what is right.
6. The widow’s two small coins and the Tithe
“And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.””(Mark 12:41-44)
So, Jesus sat opposite the treasury specifically to watch how people put in their money. The same thing is also recorded in Luke 21:1-4. We have previously discussed these verses in detail in “3. The widow’s two very small coins and tithe” under “1077 Jesus and David, the Pharisees, and Tithing – Jesus (30).” We want to mention that it was discussed it together with the tithe. In it, we see that although the widow could not invest all her money for her livelihood every day, she was absolutely doing so willingly this time for sure. Later, in “1. The true meaning of tithing” under “1142 True meaning of tithing and don’t acknowledge Satan as father,” we explain how the Holy Spirit leads us to see the true meaning of tithing. Please use the method mentioned above to find these two articles. Thanks.
(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)
(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)
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