Holy Week Devotional: Day 3
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
by Eric Ryan
Mark 12:13–17 ESV
13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
It’s Tuesday, and Jesus heads back into the temple. In this passage, we run into the Pharisees and Herodians, but in Mark 12 several worldviews are present:
- Pharisees – the conservative branch of Jewish religious leaders. Believed in the resurrection.
- Sadducees – the more liberal of the Jewish religious leaders (12:24). Didn’t believe in a resurrection.
- Herodians – recognized Herod as a king in the line of David. Many didn’t and saw him as a puppet.
- Scribes – defenders of God’s Word and translators.
- Disciples – gave up everything to follow Jesus.
The book of Mark is seeking to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” The gospel account is known for its pacing. It moves quickly. By chapter 12, if we read closely, we’re in an all-out sprint and each paragraph shows something powerful about the nature and character of Jesus.
I believe Mark is actually using compare and contrast as a primary literary tool in this section.
Have you ever asked yourself why Mark or other Gospel writers don’t refer to people by their name? Sometimes, when they wanted the initial recipients to be able to follow up on references, they did, but most of the time they don’t. “The Pharisee,” “The rich young ruler,” “The Sadducee” are all descriptors used in the Gospels. Why? The writers of the Gospels wanted you to know what worldview was approaching Jesus.
What are some of the worldviews you may hear today? The pastor, the Republican, the Democrat, the entrepreneur, and so many others.
In verses 13-17 the Pharisees and Herodians team up. Interestingly, the Pharisees were against taxes. Why would God’s people ever pay taxes to a gentile government? The Herodians are pro-taxes because they have accepted the Roman government as leading them through their king, Herod. Herod is led by Rome. Taxes that go to Rome, go to Herod. So, it appears that Jesus is trapped. If He says they don’t have to pay, the Pharisees are happy, but the Herodians are not. If He says they do…well, you get the point.
Jesus then asks for a coin. He asks whose image is on the coin. When they reply with “Caesar” He says, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s BUT to God what is God’s.” Why? Because while Caesar’s image is on the denari, God’s image is on humanity.
You see, He points them past their argument to the greater issue, and in Mark 12, He does this time and time again.
Today, I would encourage you to read all of Mark 12 with these worldviews in mind. Here is what you will find:
- Jesus TRANSCENDS all social and political ideologies. He doesn’t take sides. He doesn’t lean towards a group because they are somehow “closer” to the truth.
- He is supreme and transcends all of it, and in that supremacy, points people past them to the greater value.
- Even his disciples get a cameo… Here Jesus calls them over to observe the widows’ sacrifice. In summary, they get a quick lesson on true sacrifice, which comes out of our poverty and not our abundance.
As you consider your relationship with Jesus this week, what is your relationship with your own worldviews? If you were to approach Jesus, how would Mark describe you and why? Do you live as if your views are flawless?
As followers of Jesus, this Holy Week reminds us to lay EVERYTHING at His feet. We look to Him for direction. We look to Him for answers. And we are very slow to trust our own interpretations of life, and very quick to follow Him closely each day.
What do I believe about _________? What does Jesus say about it? That’s what I believe… Why? Because He transcends it all!
Maybe this Holy Week you don’t really know what to think about Jesus. Maybe you find yourself wondering, “Is Jesus like ‘those people’ or more like ‘those people?’”
I have good news for you friend: it’s neither. Jesus is far above any finite approach to life we may have constructed. This week, what does it look like for you to take one more step towards trusting Him?
Related Resources:
- Listen to our worship music playlist to help prepare your heart this Easter.
- View our Holy Week services and plan to worship with us this week.
