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Home , Mark 12

Christ Episcopal Church Study – Mark 12:13-27 -by Scott Kitayama

Mark 12: 13-27 (NRSV) 13 Then they sent to him some and some to trap him in what he said. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a and let me see it.” 16 And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” 17 said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. 18 Some , who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21 and the second married the widow and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. 23 In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like in . 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of , the God of , and the God of ’? 27 He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong

“Each of the stories in 11:27-12:44 is set against the backdrop of the opposition of the . The Sanhedrin consisted of the three major groups, Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes. Beginning with this story, each of these groups puts Jesus to the test. The Pharisees on the question of taxation (v13-17), the Sadducees on the question of the resurrection (v18-27), and the scribes on the question of scriptural interpretation (v28-44). In each story Jesus is addressed as “Teacher” (v14, 19, 32), and in each Jesus demonstrates his authority and power.” James Edwards 1. Who are the “they” in verse 13 that send the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus (see 11:27)? What are their intentions with Jesus? Who are the Herodians (:16; :6)? 2. In verse 14, how do the Pharisees and Herodians approach Jesus? What does it mean “is it lawful” (v14)? 3. Why is this question about paying taxes to Caesar a controversial question? How is this question a trap for Jesus? 4. Jesus responds to their trap with two questions and a request (v15-16)? What was a denarius? 5. Whose image in on the coin (v16)? Using a coin, what did Jesus teach about giving to Caesar and to God (v16-17; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; 1 Peter 2:13-17)? If the image of Caesar is stamped on a denarius, whose image is stamped upon humanity? What does that mean for us in our relationship with God (Matthew 22:37-38)?

Christ Episcopal Church Bible Study – Mark 12:13-27 -by Scott Kitayama

6. The Sadducees appear for the first time in this and differ from the Pharisees especially in their view of the resurrection and divine beings (Acts 23:6-9). What do they have in common with the Pharisees and Herodians in verse 13? Why do you think they seek to trap Jesus? 7. Why do you think the Sadducees bring up Moses (v19)? 8. Why do the Sadducees ask Jesus the question (Levirate marriage) about the one wife and the seven brothers (see Genesis 38:8; Deuteronomy 25:5-6)? The concept of the Levirate marriage was a practice whereby a man was obligated to marry a childless widow of his brother in order to preserve the name and memory of his deceased brother and to ensure the establishment of his deceased brother’s property inheritance within the family line. 9. How does Jesus respond to their question? What is the source of the Sadducees error? How does Jesus respond to them about the power of God (v25)? About Moses (v26)? See Exodus 3:6) God is not the God of the dead but the living. 10. From his response to the Sadducees, what do we learn about resurrection? Going Deeper “God’s promises are not made to the dead but to the living. If Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are dead, as the Sadducees believe, then God’s promise to them was limited to the duration of their earthly lives, which renders his promises finite and unfulfilled. God’s word, however, cannot be bound; it is not an epitaph of limitations but a promise of divine potential. God would not pledge himself to the dead unless the dead were raised to life. Jesus’ argument for the reality of resurrection is based on the assumption that the call of God establishes a relationship with God, and once a relationship with God is established, it bears the promise of God and cannot be ended, even by . The relationship is the result of the promise and power of God that conquers the last enemy, death itself.” James Edward