The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Tribute to Caesar, Jesus verses Taxation or Tithes

Matthew 22:15-22, 23-33, 34-40, 41-46 Then the Pharisees, took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent out to Him their disciples with the Herodians, asking, Master, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither do you care (fear) for any man: for You regard not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What think You? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt Me, you hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought to Him a penny. And He said to them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said to Him, Caesar's. Then He said to them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him, and went their way. (parallel passages Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26)

The Sadducees Question Jesus about the Resurrection

That same day the Sadducees* came to Him, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked Him, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed to his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife to his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, and on to the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. To this Jesus answered them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. When the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine. (parallel passages Mark 12:18-27, Luke 20:27-40)
*It was the Sadducees who attempted to keep the ancient portions of the Mosaic Law and denied the resurrection of the dead and a future state of being down to angels as they considered them myths.

Jesus Tested by a Lawyer

When the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him, tempting Him saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (parallel passages Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-28)

Jesus Tests the Pharisees

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, What think you of Christ? whose son is He? They said to Him, The Son of David. To this He said, How then does David in spirit* call Him Lord, saying, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit on My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool? If David calls Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither dared any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions. (parallel passages Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44 *Psalm 2:8-9, 21:9, Isaiah 63:1-6, Luke 10:27, Revelation 20:1-3, 11-15) *The key word often over looked here is “spirit.” What Jesus is in effect telling us is this, David by way of revelation is rehearsing what GOD the FATHER is telling His Son as recorded in Psalm 110:1 by king David.

Jesus Condemns the Scribes

and Reveals the Error of Pharisaism under Religion

Matthew 23:1-12, 13-36 Then Jesus spoke to the multitude, and to His disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not do after their works*: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, Christ; and all you are brothers. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your true Father, He which is in heaven. Neither be called masters: for one is your Master, Christ. For he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. *A religious sect among the Jews, whose religion consisted in a strict observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders, after Ezra and whose pretended holiness led them to separate themselves as a sect, considering themselves as more righteous than other Jews. In the Rigid observance of external forms of religion without genuine piety; in absolute hypocrisy in religion.