Sunday, October 31, 2010

Day 302

Last Week, cont.
9. Questions asked
- Paying taxes to Caesar - Matthew 22;15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26
- About resurrection - Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38
- About great commandment - Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 20:39-40
- Jesus asks about ancestry - Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44
10. Woes upon Scribes/Pharisees (D-16) - Matthew 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47
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:-) I simply wanted a short, quick answer...Herodians?  Who were they?  It would appear from the name that they have something to do with Herod.


The Greek word is G2265 - Plural of a derivative of G2264; Herodians, that is, partisans of Herodes.


Checking Gill, Poole and decided to share Henry's commentary:

1. The persons they employed; they did not go themselves, lest the design should be suspected and Christ should stand the more upon his guard; but they sent their disciples, who would look less like tempters, and more like learners. Note, Wicked men will never want wicked instruments to be employed in carrying on their wicked counsels. Pharisees have their disciples at their beck, who will go any errand for them, and say as they say; and they have this in their eyes, when they are so industrious to make proselytes.
With them they sent the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for a cheerful and entire subjection to the Roman emperor, and to Herod his deputy; and who made it their business to reconcile people to that government, and pressed all to pay their tribute. Some think that they were the collectors of the land tax, as the publicans were of the customs, and that they went with the Pharisees to Christ, with this blind upon their plot, that while the Herodians demanded the tax, and the Pharisees denied it, they were both willing to refer it to Christ, as a proper Judge to decide the quarrel. Herod being obliged, by the charter of the sovereignty, to take care of the tribute, these Herodians, by assisting him in that, helped to endear him to his great friends at Rome. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were zealous for the liberty of the Jews, and did what they could to make them impatient of the Roman yoke. Now, if he should countenance the paying of tribute, the Pharisees would incense the people against him; if he should discountenance or disallow it, the Herodians would incense the government against him. Note, It is common for those that oppose one another, to continue in an opposition to Christ and his kingdom. Samson's foxes looked several ways, but met in one firebrand.


I particularly liked the reference to Samson's foxes - those that oppose Christ, going about it however they are 'directed,' yet being consumed in the end.  :-)


Decided I'd best make sure I clearly understood the other opposing 'players' in this passage.  Thus:
Pharisee - strict observer of religious ceremonies and practices, adherence to oral laws and traditions, belief in an afterlife and a coming Messiah.
Sadducee - Palestinian sect consisting mainly of priests and aristocrats, rejection of oral laws and traditions, denial of afterlife and a coming Messiah.


Ironic that those who did not believe in the resurrection would ask questions about it.


I love the verse:  Mark 12:29-30 - "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."


Our ladies Bible study teacher covered this verse - 7 hours!  1 verse!  Awesome!  From her instruction, the Pharisee's (lawyers, scribes - argumentative crew) spent much time and effort debating over which of the 613 laws were heavy or light, and which was the greatest law of all.


Heh...I wanted to make sure I had remembered the number correctly - and came across this:


http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm


Just in case one ever wanted to try and live by the laws.  :-)  Whew!  Thank you Lord for GRACE!


Jesus sums it up quite well - for if we are focused on loving HIM with the totality of our beings, we will want to please HIM and will, as we grow in our love and knowledge of HIM, do all that HE commands.


Father, give us a passionate desire to love and serve YOU with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.





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