Luke 20:19-26
19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
The scenario with which the Sadducees presented Jesus seems to have little bearing for our time. When we think of how life will be once we are resurrected, the implications of a Jewish marital regulation are probably not on our radar. However, this was an important point for the Sadducees—they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and the question that they raised was part of the reason the rejected the doctrine.
While the scenario itself might not be on our minds, we should take note of Jesus’ response to the dilemma posed by the Sadducees. Jesus, rather than resorting to a complicated theological response as to why resurrection was a legitimate reality, instead met the Sadducees on their own ground. This particular group of leaders only endorsed the authority of Torah (the first five books of the Bible), and in it they saw no evidence for resurrection. Citing Torah, Jesus places the question back on their shoulders: If God is the God of the living, then why would Moses speak of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob if they were not alive? With this notion of meeting people on their own ground in mind, scholar William Barclay notes, “We will be far better teachers of Christianity and far better witnesses for Christ when we learn to do the same.”
Scott Grantland
Duke Divinity School Intern
