The Gospel of Matthew Study Help (Matthew 22:14-22)

Jesus’ final week of earthly ministry

Questions to be answered in this study

1. How was Israel’s rejection of the kingdom our gain as believers?
2. During the beginning of the tribulation, 144,000 will be saved. Who are they and what will be the result?
3. What did Jesus mean when He said, “For many are called, but few [are] chosen?”
4. Who were the one’s the king invited to the wedding after the original ones rejected the invitation and who do they represent?
5. Who did the ones who rejected the invitation to the wedding feast represent?
6. What does it mean that some were saved by election?
7. How does the Bible describe the future for those who believe?
8. We are living in very difficult times; so, what is the upside?
9. What does this verse mean: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose?” 
10. Why did the Pharisees refuse to use the Roman coin?
11. What does the word “render to Caesar” literally mean?
12. What is the only exception for refusing to obey the laws of the land?
13. What is our first responsibility as believers according to Jesus?

Introduction

We began a new phase of our Bible Study few weeks ago, “Jesus’ final week of earthly ministry.” It began as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In today’s study, it is on a Tuesday, shortly before His crucifixion at the end of the week. He is well aware of what lies ahead and has forewarned His disciples. In our previous study, we talked about the parable of the wedding banquet when Jesus compared His offer of the Kingdom to an invitation to a wedding feast. The king’s son was to be married, so the king planned a banquet and sent out invitations by his servants. When the guests received the invitation, they rejected it and went about their business and even killing some of the servants. Therefore, the king invited others instead to fill the banquet hall, going into the highways and hedges where some of the lower classes of people were. The parable demonstrated Israel’s rejection of the Kingdom and the religious leader’s hostility toward Jesus. Other guests, who represented the Gentiles and the future church, were invited instead of those who rejected the invitaiton. Israel’s rejection was our gain; we are now included in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb at the second coming of Jesus.

Israel is still God’s chosen people and will be part of the Kingdom. God gave Abraham His covenant that one day Abraham’s descendants will be part of the Kingdom; that covenant is irrevocable. During the beginning of the tribulation, 144,000 Jews were saved. These are the first fruits, all virgin men, and the gospel will be preached unto all the earth, apparently by the 144,000, Revelation 14:1-5 (KJV).

We did not discuss the meaning of that verse 14 in our previous study; to understand it correctly, we need to interpret it in context:

Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few [are] chosen.”

This parable that Jesus taught was about Israel being called to receive the Kingdom, which they rejected. Israel as a nation, being many, was called, but only a few accepted Jesus as their Messiah, including the disciples of Jesus. Those who did receive the good news of Jesus as the Messiah received it with gladness. They were among the ones who made up the first members of the church. In verse 14, they were the few chosen to be in the wedding feast representing the future church and the Kingdom, but those who rejected the invitation were a representation of Israel who rejected the kingdom and were set aside never to be part of the Kingdom, at least that particular group. It seemed at first glance as if the ministry of Jesus had failed, but it hadn’t; it was going as God had planned. Paul confirms this in Romans 11:7-8 (KJV): “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for, but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear unto this day.” Since they rejected Jesus as their Messiah in their heart, they were blinded to any other truth blocking them forever from the Kingdom.

All those years that Israel was looking forward to and seeking the Messiah and then to reject Him when He finally appeared. Only His children, who God knew in eternity past, were saved by election and God’s mercy. The rest of Israel was left in their sin because of the hardness of their hearts. “Many were called but few were chosen.”

The circumstances in the Temple in the days that followed were terrible. There has never been more injustice and tragedy in history, but consider this, God used this travesty against Jesus to bless us and the world. According to John 3:16. Ironically, God used these dire times to bring about His glorious plan of salvation for humanity.

Today the world is also facing bad times when there seems to be no end to the Covid-19 pandemic, the prospects for war, and the financial difficulty facing so many. However, when we consider the times that Jesus went through to bring about the good for all, it changes our perspective of the circumstances we face in the present; when we consider what God plans for us in the future, it should add peace and calm. We read in 1 Corinthians 2:6 (KJV), “But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him,” and Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him, that can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Things may seem bad at present, but be mindful of all the good things God has in mind to achieve for us who believe. We need to try and see what God has in mind to do through the trials we face; God can even bring good out of evil.

The upside of the present circumstances is, we may be living during times when there has been no more excellent opportunity to bring the good news of the gospel to those all around us who are suffering. Although the circumstance we face may not be those we would choose, they could be God’s way of working out His plan for our lives. Remember, everything we face in our life goes through God before it comes to us. Our question needs to be, what is it that God wants to accomplish through this trial? We live in a fallen world, and all of us will face real tragedies in our life, but then so did Jesus: John 16:33 (KJV), “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. “

When we place our faith in Jesus, He gives new life to our dead spirit and turns the future death of this body into a new glorified body that will live throughout all eternity; this is why Paul says in Romans 8:28 (KJV), “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” That does not mean that everything that happens to us is good; it means that God plans to receive eternal good from the trials and hardships we experience in this life. James said in James 1:2-4 (NKJV), “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Now let us return to this fateful Tuesday shortly before Jesus’ death: 

Matthew 22:15-17, “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16And 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. 17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”

After the first encounter with the false teachers, Matthew now presents the second encounter. The new group of Pharisees brings with them some Herodians. First were the Pharisees, then the Sadducees, and now the Herodians were also religious leaders loyal to Herod. The Herodians had only one thing in common with the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and that was their hatred for Jesus. Together these groups come to Jesus with a question to trap Him. In their minds, it was a perfect trap. Either way, Jesus answers their question, it will get Him into trouble.

The Pharisees asked a yes or no question concerning taxation, a big issue in Jewish society. So, if Jesus answers one way, it will get Him in trouble with the Jewish authorities, and If He answers another way, it will get Him in trouble with the Romans.

They use flattery to confront Jesus, saying that they know Jesus is truthful in His teachings and impartial to all. Although this was true, it was not something they believed. Then they ask Jesus about a poll tax to be paid to Caesar, which was considered a tribute to Caesar as noted by the author of the gospel of Mark. The Jews unitedly opposed it and revolted against it in AD 66. The Pharisees opposed Ceasar because he declared himself to be God. If Jesus opposed the tribute tax, it would have given the Herodians reason to take the issue before Pilate. On the other hand, if Jesus approved paying the tax, the Pharisees would accuse Him of Idolizing Ceasar and recognizing him as the true king of Israel, costing Jesus his credibility before the crowds that followed Him.

Can Jesus escape the trap without upsetting anyone?

Matthew 22:18-22, “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?21They 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.22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”

Jesus recognized their wickedness and their insincerity and would not play their game. He outwitted them by using the example of a Roman coin and sent them on their way shaking their heads. If you recall, the Roman coin was not accepted by the Temple; that is why there were money changers there that Jesus kicked out on His first day after arriving at the Temple. So, being on the temple grounds, there was no coin available, and someone had to search for one.

The Pharisees refused even to use the Roman coin because it had the image of Ceasar on it representing his rule and power, and just holding it was idolatry to them. The Pharisees refused to use the Roman currency, and Rome would not accept the Jewish shekels. Therefore, the Pharisees refused to pay the poll tax. Jesus knew the Pharisee’s behavior, and that is why He used the example to call for the Pharisees to act according to their convictions, e.g., pay their tax debt, and by no means by doing so would they be showing honor to Ceasar.

The word “render to Caesar” literally means to give back what is already Caesar’s. So what Jesus means is that giving Ceasar what is his and was worthless to them shows him no honor and no worship. A gift of no value is not an authentic tribute. It would be like someone giving counterfeit money they printed in their basement as an offering to the Lord. Only when a tribute includes personal sacrifice is it meaningful; otherwise, it is worthless. Jesus, in His wisdom, sidetracked the trap set by the Pharisees by showing that no honor was given Ceasar by returning what was his. It satisfied the Herodians, who believed it their duty to pay the tax as well as avoiding Jesus being reported to Pilate. The Pharisees were caught in their own trap, so they marveled and walked away.

Matthew didn’t stop there; He recorded that Jesus said, “they should render to God the things that are God’s.” In other words, give God the praise and worship He deserves. Paul put it this way: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,” Romans 12:1 (KJV). That was convicting to the Jewish religious leaders concerned about honoring Ceasar when they weren’t honoring God even a little. Their lives were filled with self-righteousness, selfishness, and greed. Their problem was not handling a Roman coin thinking it was idolatry; it was dishonoring God by trying to kill their Messiah.

The Pharisees imposed their own rules while denying the Bible’s instruction to show obedience to God and His Word. We as believers are to set the right example by being good citizens and at the same time honoring God our Heavenly Father. Romans 13:1-2 (KJV), “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”

The Lord wants His people to set the example as good citizens in whatever society and culture He places them. The only exception is when the government creates laws that forbid Christians from serving God; they have the right to disobey. The general resistance of the government for just any reason is disobedience to God. During the time of Jesus, the Roman government was oppressive; nevertheless, Jesus avoided conflict with them.

It is not easy to live a balanced life today, showing obedience to God and country. Our first responsibility is not opposing the government but doing what is assigned to us by Jesus. Just before Jesus left this earth to go back to heaven, He gave the great commission to the church to share the gospel with the entire world and teach those who believe the things He taught when He was on earth. There are not nearly enough Christians showing that obedience to our Lord. Jesus commanded his disciples in Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” The one outstanding question we need to ask ourselves today is, am I doing what Jesus commanded me to do, or am I more like the Pharisees who only gave lip service and then did their own thing?