Matthew 22:15-46

15Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.

16They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites.

17Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?

19Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin,

20he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

21“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

22His reply amazed them, and they went away.

23That same day Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question:

24“Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.’

25Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children, so his brother married the widow.

26But the second brother also died, and the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them.

27Last of all, the woman also died.

28So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her.”

29Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.

30For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.

31“But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven’t you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said,

32‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So he is the God of the living, not the dead.”

33When the crowds heard him, they were astounded at his teaching.

34But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again.

35One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question:

36“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

38This is the first and greatest commandment.

39A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

40The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

41Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question:

42“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.”

43Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said,

44‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’

45Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

46No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.