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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 258

But We See Jesus Bible Devotional - Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore.And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. "Acts 2:21"

ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO TRAP JESUS

The Herodians may be regarded as a sect in Israel. These were essentially people more inclined to politics. These were the people who supported the Herodian family. The cruelty and the wickedness of the family of Herod were well known. Few liked, let alone respected the Herodians.

The Pharisees formed a strong and strict religious sect. They were fastidious in their keeping of the laws and traditions of their religion. The last people they would choose to associate with would be the Herodians. But ever since Jesus emerged, the Pharisees found themselves so desperate, that they even formed a conspiracy involving the Herodians.

“Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted
with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.”
MARK 3:6

“Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians,
to catch Him in His words.”
MARK 12:13

A SEEMINGLY FOOL-PROOF PLAN

The Herodians and the Pharisees hatched what they must have imagined to be a fool-proof plan that would entrap Jesus.

“When they had come, they said to Him,
‘Teacher, we know that You are true,
And care about no one; for You do not regard
The person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.
Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar or not?
Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?'”
MARK 12:14-15A

1. A vain attempt at flattery
There is no mistaking the attempt at flattery. But would such words mean anything to One who “does not regard the person of men”?

2. A grudging respect
The words of this group of Herodians and Pharisees had a ring of truth in them:-
a) Jesus was indeed to be respected as a Teacher.
b) He was no man-pleaser.
c) He had respect and regard for God alone.
d) He truly taught the way of God in truth.