His Enemies and His Virtues | Mark 12:13–15a


The chief priests and the rest may have physically departed (v. 12), but they aren’t done with Jesus.  We read in v. 13 “they sent” Pharisees and Herodians “to trap Him in a statement.”  They plan to ensnare Jesus with His own words (just like many of the skeptics of Scripture today).

The Pharisees and the Herodians disdained one another, but their hatred for Christ has united them since Mark 3:6.  This unlikely duo flatter Jesus, intending to lay a net for His feet (cf. Pv 29:5).  Even so, for the flattery to be effective, their compliments must be true.  What do they say of our Lord?

First, our Lord is true.  They say, “we know that You are truthful.”  He deals with people honesty, reflecting the character of God; they reflect the father of lies (Jn 8:44).

Second, our Lord doesn’t defer to anyone.  No effort can be God-honoring if it seeks the favor of men (cf. Gal 1:10).  The fear of man ensnares, contrasting placing trust in the Lord Who exalts (Pv 29:25). 

Third, our Lord is impartial.  He practices no favoritism.  Those who are unjust look into the face of others, deciding right and wrong on the basis of whether they are rich or poor, domestic or alien (Lv 19:15; Dt 1:16–17).  The Lord “looks at the heart” (1 Sm 16:7).

Fourth, our Lord teaches “the way of God in truth.”  What happens to Him isn’t the basis for His teaching on God—truth is.  Unfortunately, there are many who merchandize the Word of God (cf. 2 Cor 2:17), but Christ is not one of them.

Fifth, our Lord is not fooled.  He knows what honest worship is, and this flattery doesn’t pass muster.  V. 15 says, “But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, ‘Why are you testing Me?’ ”  Those who don’t draw near to listen to His Words offer the sacrifice of fools (Ecc 5:1).  May we instead seek Him to teach us His way, that we may walk in His truth, learning to fear His name in our hearts (Ps 86:11).

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