False Perceptions Matthew 22:15-45

This week’s article is the result of two occasions that took place in my life this past week. The first occasion was my wife listening to the Bible reading for the day as we were sitting outside to get some sunshine. The text that caught my attention was Judges 21:25. It reads, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (NASB). I go on one of my rants talking about that’s the problem with America today. “Everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes.” There are some Christians that do not believe that the Scriptures are the authoritative word of God. The Bible is an ancient text that we should use as a guideline for life today. Since the Bible is not authoritative each person can look through the Bible and pick out verses that say words that sound like they support their own agendas. Have you noticed that politicians are experts at this? They emphasize one text and totally ignore any text that challenges the position that they want to take.

The second occasion that contributes to this article was a performance by Found Movement Group, which is a professional dance company here in Nashville, Tennessee. The title of the show is The Way I See It. Through dance movements the performance shows that there are various perceptions on many topics that are important in the lives of people today. Both the text from the book of Judges and the performance by Found reminds me that there are many perceptions about various subject matters. For me, it is more important that you and I that call us Christians come to the truth of the matter. We Christians cannot live our lives choosing from one of the many perceptions and so called truths that are in our world today. You see, although there are many perceptions to choose from, it is possible that none of the perceptions held are true. We can readily see this in the text for today’s article.

When we read the Gospels we learn that there are perceptions—beliefs and practices, held by various people during the life of Jesus. In His ministry Jesus is often confronted by persons whose perceptions differ significantly from that of Jesus. In our text today, we see that Jesus is confronted and challenged by the religious rulers of the Jews. There are two main groups that Jesus has to contend with; the Pharisees and scribes and the Sadducees. The Pharisees and Sadducees do not always agree on various subject matters, but as we read through the Gospel we notice that both groups find Jesus the greatest challenge to their beliefs and practices. There are three challenges that Jesus faces in the text. He is confronted first by the Pharisees and then by the Sadducees.

In the text the first thing that we learn is that the Pharisees are out to get Jesus. The author of Matthew writes: “Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said” (Matt. 22:15, NASB). So they send the Herodians to speak flattering words to Jesus. However, Jesus is wise not only to the words that they say, but He is aware of their motive. “But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, ‘Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?’” (v. 18) Jesus knows that the Herodians know the law concerning tax to Caesar. Possibly, the Pharisees think that since Jesus does not conform to their perceptions of the Sabbath laws He will not conform to Roman law; especially since Jews believe that the Romans treat Jews unfairly and unjustly.

Jesus shows them that their perceptions are false. His answer is not one that they have ever thought of and taken into consideration. “And He said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’” “They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.” “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.’ And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away (vv. 20-22, NASB).” Jesus’ answer catches His opponents completely off guard. They expected Jesus to choose between God and Caesar. Jesus’ answer points out two things.

First, we are citizens in the world. We are supposed to obey the government authorities, because God ordained governments. “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Pet. 2:13-15, NASB). Secondly, Jesus’ answer implies that the religious leaders are not doing the things that God requires of them. Now, let us turn our attention to the dialogue between the Sadducees and Jesus.

The Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection as the Pharisees do. They know that Jesus believes in the resurrection. So, in order to test Him, they come to Jesus and present to Him the law that calls for the brother of a dead man that dies without children to go into the dead man’s wife so that she can have children. The child will be considered the child of the dead brother. In their scenario six brothers die and the wife has no child until the seventh brother. They want to know which of the seven brothers the wife will be in the resurrection. Jesus knows that these people do not understand the Scriptures. Because of their misunderstanding, they do not apply the Scriptures accurately. Jesus corrects their false perceptions.

First they do not understand the Scriptures concerning marriage in the resurrection. Jesus tells them that there is no marriage in the resurrection (v.30). Although Jesus does not explain the Law, it is evident that the Sadducees do not understand the law. The law was given because there needed to be an heir to the property. Secondly, they not believe in the resurrection because they do not understand the resurrection and power of God (v. 31-32). The crowds are astonished at His teaching, but the Pharisees are not through yet.

The Pharisees will once again try to trap Jesus, but they will learn once again that they are no match for Jesus because they are operating on false perceptions. The first challenge seems to be simple. “One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, ‘Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’” (Vv. 35-36) Again, Jesus knows that the question is designed to test Him. Jesus knows that the question ask Him to arrange the commandments in the law in some hierarchical ranking. This will give the Pharisees grounds to argue that what Jesus says is wrong. If they can find one thing wrong they will have grounds to discredit Jesus. Jesus’ answer shows that the Pharisees have a false perception of the Law and the commandments of God.

Jesus’ answer points out that there are two commandments that precede the Law. The first is the commandments to love God. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor. Everything written in the Law and all that the prophets said and wrote is based upon and upheld by these two greatest commandments (vv. 37-40). Jesus is saying that one should not think of any of the commandment in the Law as more important than any other. The apostle Paul makes this clear when he writes: “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (Jas. 2:10, NASB). Paul continues by saying, For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery’ also said, ‘do not commit murder’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law’” (Jas. 2:11, NASB). It is oblivious that if we obey these two greatest commandments we will at the same time obey the commandments in the Law. If we are not obedient to the two commandments we are disobedient to the entire Law. Love and obedience cannot be separated.

In conclusion, we often know the words to say. Do we really know what we are saying? What does it really mean? When we hear others speak their truth can we make a wise choice of who and what to believe? People say a lot of things, and what they say might sound real good. As Christians, we are responsible to know that there are a lot of things said by a lot of people. However, we cannot choose the right answer if the correct options are not given. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the religious teachers of their day, and the people tried to make the best choices based on what they were being taught. Jesus shows that the perceptions of the religious leaders are false perceptions. These false perceptions hold people from the truth of God. These untruths keep the people in bondage. On the other hand Jesus comes to give us God’s truth. The people gladly follow Jesus and hear His words, because the truth that Jesus speaks is liberating and sets the people free.