Luke 20:25-30
Luke 20:25 (KJB)
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be
Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
Caesar demanded taxes to paid to the Roman Empire and here Jesus is taking that
coin and showing the people present that one should render unto Caesar what is
Caesar’s. Caesar represented the things of the world, so he was to be given
tribute if required and those things that were legally required such as a Roman
soldier could compel a person to carry his goods a mile. This is where Jesus
stated if they ask you to go one mile, then volunteer to go two. (Mat 5:41
KJV) And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Then
we render unto God, those things that are God’s. Caesar cannot have our eternal
soul, our will to obey God over any law which contradicts His law (Acts 5:29
KJV) Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God
rather than men.), Caesar cannot have our worship, he cannot have our
devotion, etc. This teaches us that there is a limit on our obligation to
earthly governments while there is no limitation on our obligation and obedience
to God.
Luke 20:26 (KJB)
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled
at his answer, and held their peace.
Then when the people had heard the answer that Jesus gave them, they were
astonished at what He spoke. Basically, Jesus was telling them that things which
pertain to the secular world are Caesar’s but those things which are eternal
belong to God. So everyone went their way after hearing the answer given by
Jesus. Here is another time they tried to trap Him but they could not.
Luke 20:27 (KJB)
Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any
resurrection; and they asked him,
The Sadducees were associated with the priesthood and were in opposition to the
teachings of the Pharisees. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection,
miracles, angels, or spirits. They had rejected the supernatural in their belief
system. (Acts 23:8 KJV) For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,
neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
Luke 20:28 (KJB)
Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife,
and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up
seed unto his brother.
This was definitely a set up question because they were heading toward a
question concerning the resurrection. What they wanted to do was to take the
doctrine of the resurrection and reduce it to a doctrine of irrationality. They
only accepted the five books of Moses as official Scripture. (Deu 25:5 KJV)
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of
the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go
in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's
brother unto her. They had picked on Deuteronomy 25:5-6 to make this point,
however, they extended the Scripture lesson for their convenience.
Luke 20:29 (KJB)
There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without
children.
They extended the example out to seven brethren when the Scripture spoke of one.
So begins the procession until they finally get to the last brother.
Luke 20:30 (KJB)
And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
So the Sadducee tells the narrative about seven brothers marrying the same woman
after each one had died. This would have gone in procession by means of the next
eldest brother marrying the woman until they reached the youngest one.