BIBLE IN TEN

Tuesday, 1 September 2026
 
The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, Matthew 22:23
 
“In that, the ‘day’, they approached Him, Sadducees (saying not is ‘resurrection’), and they queried Him.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, the Pharisees and Herodians marveled at Jesus’ words and departed. Maybe having seen or heard about this, another group comes forward, ready to test Him. Matthew records, “In that, the ‘day’, they approached Him, Sadducees.”
 
This sect was first seen, along with the Pharisees, in Matthew 3:7. This was at the time John the Baptist was baptizing in the Jordan. They were noted again, several times in Matthew 16.
 
Their specific interaction at that time was with Jesus as they, along with the Pharisees, asked for a sign from heaven. Of this group of religious leaders, Matthew specifically notes a point of doctrine that they held to, which is “(saying not is ‘resurrection’).”
 
Surprisingly, this is a new word in Scripture, anastasis, a standing up again. It is from the word an anistémi, to stand up. That is prefixed with the word ana, up, but used in various other ways in a distributive manner. In the New Testament, other than Luke 2:34, anastasis is always used in reference to a resurrection. In Luke 2:34, it says –
 
“Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising [anastasis] of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against...”
 
As for the reason they have come to Jesus, Matthew records, “and they queried Him.” The word used to describe their query is one of deliberate asking. Thus, their query is specifically designed to glean an answer or response from Jesus about a matter.
 
Life application: In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes the following –
 
“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
 
The key point of Christian faith is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The cross of Christ is the key focus of our faith, and the point on which every Christian’s boast should be directed (see Galatians 6:14), but a crucifixion without a subsequent resurrection is a pointless place to direct one’s hope.
 
Many people have been crucified in human history. They died, and they remain dead. But Jesus was resurrected from the tomb. This event then solidifies the meaning of the cross. Someone can say, “I will give up my life to save another.” And, in fact, many have done that throughout human history.
 
But that type of saving is only to prolong the temporary life we live. A soldier could jump on a grenade to save his fellow soldier, but the saved soldier could be shot dead thirty seconds later. Both are dead and both will remain dead.
 
However, no human can die for another’s sin when they have already inherited Adam’s fallen nature. The sin is there in us from the moment we are conceived. Various pagan religions sacrificed babies, young virgins, etc., all hoping for some type of atonement, but such a sacrifice is ineffectual because of original sin.
 
Jesus, however, was born without Adam’s fallen nature. His father is God. Thus, with a human mother, He is the God/Man. He was born without sin, He lived under the law without sinning, and He died in fulfilment of the law, taking away sin committed under law for those who trust in Him.
 
The resurrection proves that our sin is atoned for. It also proves that we are eternally saved (because we are no longer under law, and it is by law that sin is imputed). The resurrection also proves that Jesus is God. As all humans who descend from Adam have sin through their father, and because Jesus resurrected, it proves that Jesus’ Father is God.
 
As all beings reproduce after their own kind, the resurrection provides irrefutable proof that Jesus Christ is the God/Man. Hope? Hope? We have the greatest hope of all when we put our trust in Jesus Christ. Nothing can ever separate us from God again when we come to Him through Jesus Christ.
 
Let us remember this as we pass through this world of toil, trouble, trial, and times of temptation or turmoil. These things are bound to come, but Christ has overcome the world. For those who are in Him, they too have overcome the world.
 
Praise God for Jesus Christ our Lord!
 
We praise and exalt You for what You have done for us, O God. The majesty of what You have done is more wonderful than all else. Thank You for the giving of Jesus Christ our Lord, in whom, we now have the hope of the resurrection to eternal life. Amen.
 

Monday, 31 August 2026
 
When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. Matthew 22:22
 
“And having heard, they wondered, and having left Him, they departed.” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus told those He was talking to that, based on the image and inscription of their own coin, they needed to render unto Caesar what was to Caesar, and to God what was to God. With that stated, it next says, “And having heard, they wondered.”
 
Once the thought-process of such a statement is known, people can easily slip into the thinking that Jesus’ words would have been easily presented and that anyone could come to the same conclusion. “Surely I would have figured that out!” But this is not true.
 
The dismissal of what Jesus said in this manner will usually come from those who already have a bias against the Christian message. In other words, a rabbi may be shown this account, and his answer might be, “Sure, sure. We already know this. We’ve been living it out for two thousand years. There is nothing new in this.”
 
But such words dismiss the clear and confident intent of the plan brought forth by the Pharisees and the Herodians. They were positive Jesus would trip up over their question. It takes a very well contemplated response, something not usually forthcoming when asked on the spot about such a matter, to be able to think this through quickly and clearly.
 
Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and we as humans are quick to think that we would have been just as quick at giving such a response. As for those who proposed the question to Jesus, they knew the truth of the matter.
 
The Pharisees could not hint at Jesus’ words being inappropriate within a religious context. The Herodians were completely shut down in their attempt to accuse Jesus of sedition. Therefore, Matthew records, “and having left Him, they departed.”
 
What else could they do? They were embarrassed into silence. If any of their own disciples were present, they had embarrassed themselves in front of them. With tails between legs, they turned and scampered.
 
Life application: Throughout the years, there have been great thinkers who can easily think through difficult issues on the spot. If a technical challenge is needed to overcome a situation, someone may be right on the spot to suggest something that will save the day.
 
In a military setting, there may be a seemingly impossible situation. And yet, the skill of a single man in understanding the layout of the land may change the course of the battle. Sgt Alvin York was able to do this in WWI.
 
When facing the onslaught of moral depravity within a society, there may be a handful of voices from people who can quickly and reasonably speak against the tide of perverse thinking of people who come forward with arguments as to why what they are doing is acceptable.
 
In America today, there are a few such voices, mostly Christians or Jews, who will engage the masses in open discussions about moral issues. In such cases, their logic is irrefutable, and it quickly destroys the arguments of those with opposing views.
 
Unfortunately, such moral thinkers are often targeted by those who disagree with them. Their websites are attacked, their video platforms are demonetized or scrubbed entirely, their lives are threatened, and the forums where they debate are often shouted down or shut down entirely, even before they get a chance to speak.
 
In the case of clear biblical thinking, there are those who know what the Bible says, in its proper context, and without irrational thinking being included in their presentations. When this is the case, those who base their theology and doctrine on emotions, presuppositions, or biases (such as what is the state of Israel, whether a single version of the Bible is the only true word, or the timing of when the rapture will occur), will openly attack those holding to the proper view, calling them false teachers or heretics.
 
Jesus was eventually crucified for His proper stance on what was occurring in His society and in regard to the Law of Moses. Over the years, this has been the case with many of His true followers. Hence, the term martyr is well known to those who remember Christian history.
 
As believers in Jesus Christ, we should hold fast to the word of God, be firm in our moral convictions, and be ready to defend what we believe. We may not be as quick or clear-thinking as some people, but that is why they are in the public spotlight, and we are not. If their words are in accord with what is biblically sound, we should applaud them.
 
Matters such as creation versus evolution, support for Israel or standing against it, homosexuality within the church, and so forth, are all things we should have a firm stand on, even if we are not quick enough to publicly enter into a debate about them.
 
Lord God, thank You for those who rightly interpret and divide Your word, including those who can do so in open forums where others are watching. Help us to consider such arguments and mold our thinking to what is pure, right, moral, and just. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Sunday, 30 August 2026
 
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21
 
“They say to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then He says to them, ‘You render, therefore, those Caesar’s to Caesar, and those the ‘God’s’ to God.’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus asked the Pharisees and Herodians whose image and inscription were on the coin. In response to that, “They say to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’”
 
Rather than holding up the coin and saying, “Look, this is Caesar’s image and inscription,” Jesus had them respond to His question. By doing so, they have, with their own mouths, affirmed that the coin they used belonged not to the Jewish nation, but to their overlords, the Romans.
 
Therefore, their thought of trapping Jesus in His words will fail. Their question to Him in Verse 17 was not an either/or response after all. Instead, the correct response, when thought through, is seen in the continued exchange, “Then He says to them, ‘You render, therefore, those Caesar’s to Caesar.’”
 
The nation was subject to Rome. They used its currency, they lived by whatever laws were imposed on them, and they could be elevated in the Roman society or cast into Roman prisons. The coin in Jesus’ hand confirmed this. To say otherwise would be an act of rebellion against those who ruled over them. Along with that thought, Jesus says, “and those the ‘God’s’ to God.”
 
To the Jews, whether they believed in God or not, they knew that the culture of the nation was established on the premise that there is a God and that He had given His law through Moses to the nation. Nobody would deny that. Anyone who spoke against it could be punished up to death, even if the death penalty had been reserved for Rome to mete out.
 
As this is so, their laws mandated many things that the people were expected to do. This included the sacrificial system, the tithes and offerings, observing particular days like the Sabbath and the Day of Atonement, etc. Even the garments they wore had aspects mandated in the Law of Moses.
 
The crops they could grow in a field and the types of food they could eat were also governed by the law. Obedience to the law was considered rendering to God because their law came from Him. These points were undeniable, and these leaders’ attempts to trap Jesus in His words had failed, epically.
 
Life application: If these men had taken .00156 seconds to think through what their own Scriptures said, they would have seen the error in their thinking concerning an either/or answer to the question they asked of Jesus. In Jeremiah 29, it says –
 
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:4-9
 
The fate of the people, be it living in freedom, in captivity, or under the rule of their enemies in their own land, was solely at the will of the Lord. This is recorded throughout Judges and onward. The word of the Lord through Jeremiah explicitly notes this.
 
It is the Lord who sent them into exile. He did it by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, and their exile was to Babylon. This wasn’t an aberration. Rather, it was prophesied in advance, and even the number of years the exile would continue was told to them by Jeremiah in his words to them.
 
During the time of that exile, at the Lord’s direction, they were expected to render unto Babylon the things that belonged to Babylon. Babylon was God’s chosen instrument to chastise Israel for its aberrant ways. If they rebelled against the authority placed over them, there would be consequences.
 
The Lord instructed them to live in peace in their new land. To disobey that would be to incur the Lord’s wrath. Likewise, they would incur the wrath of those who held them captive. That truth has not changed to this day. Whether they accept their state in the world or not, and whether they believe in the Lord or not, they are to render unto whatever nation they live in what belongs to that nation, and they are to render unto God what belongs to Him.
 
The same is true for believers. Paul says in Romans 13 –
 
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1, 2
 
Stand on the word when such things arise. God has ordained your time, place, and station in life. Live within the framework of those things in a manner that will honor Him.
 
Lord God, in so many ways, You have taken the pressure off us. When Your word tells us to do something, all we need to do is be obedient to what You have said. Help us to remember this, complying with such things according to Your will for each of us. Amen.

Saturday, 29 August 2026
 
And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” Matthew 22:20
 
“And He says to them, ‘Whose, the ‘likeness, this’? And whose inscription?’” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus asked for the coin of the census. Complying with His request, they offered Him a denarius. With that now in His hand, Matthew next records, “And He says to them, ‘Whose, the ‘likeness, this’?’”
 
This is a new word, eikon, which signifies a likeness. HELPS Word Studies says “properly, ‘mirror-like representation,’ referring to what is very close in resemblance (like a ‘high-definition’ projection, as defined by the context).”
 
In 2 Corinthians 4:4, it is used of Christ, “who is the image of God.” That thought is expressed again in Colossians 3:14. In this word, one can see the etymological ancestor of our modern word icon. That passed into English through the Late Latin icon during the 1500s. Jesus’ question specifically asks of a person who is stamped onto the coin. From there, He adds, “And whose inscription?”
 
Another new word is seen, epigraphé, an inscription. The word is derived from epi, upon, and graphó, to grave, particularly to write. Thus, a literal translation would be to upon-write. However, this is what an inscription is: something written upon an object, paper, etc. This word is found only in the synoptic gospels.
 
Some older translations say “superscription,” but that is technically off. A superscription is written on the top, outside, or above something else, while an inscription is carved, engraved, or written directly onto a surface or into the main body of an object. One can see the etymological granddaddy of our modern word, epigraph.
 
Of this coin, Vincent’s Word Studies says –
 
“Images on coins were not approved by the Jews. Out of respect to this prejudice none of the earlier Herods had his own image impressed on them. Herod Agrippa I., who murdered James and imprisoned Peter, introduced the practice. The coin shown to Christ must either have been struck in Rome, or else was one of the Tetrarch Philip, who was the first to introduce the image of Caesar on strictly Jewish coins.”
 
Life application: This is undoubtedly a Roman coin. Jewish coins were not minted with human figures due to prohibitions found in the Law of Moses. In Deuteronomy 5:8, it says, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
 
The reason for this goes back to Deuteronomy 4:12, “And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice.”
 
Israel was to learn to reverence the unseen Lord, never attempting to replicate what they thought He might look like, something that would otherwise lead them directly into idolatry. That, however, didn’t work. Their history, from their very inception at Sinai, was filled with making images and bowing down to them.
 
This is because we as humans desire something tangible and visible to help us process our thoughts or direct our attention to. God knows this, but the lesson had to be lived out. In the coming of Christ Jesus, God has revealed Himself in a way that removes this lack.
 
We now have the image of God in the Person of Jesus. Although the Jews call this blasphemy and many Christians condemn portraying Jesus in photos, as if that is idolatry, it is exactly what God has allowed.
 
The same people who get bent out of shape over a painting of Jesus’ face will never have a problem with a painting of Jesus riding on a donkey, as if the scenery changes the intent.
 
Jesus is represented in plays and movies as an evangelism tool. This is applauded by the same people, but for some reason, having a portrait of Jesus sends them into a conniption. This is illogical. God has given His Son to the world as a means of understanding Him. The humanity of Jesus allows us to understand God in a way we can appreciate.
 
Hold fast to the notion that what God has done is good. It is what keeps us from the sin of idolatry when we follow the admonition of Scripture, “...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
 
Lord God, thank You for Jesus. In Him, we can contemplate Your goodness in a way that would never have been otherwise possible. We praise You for Your glory, displayed in His Person. How great You are, O God. Amen.
 

Friday, 28 August 2026
 
Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius. Matthew 22:19
 
“‘You display to me the ‘coin, the census’.’They also offered to Him – denarius.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus knew that they were setting a trap for Him with their question about paying the census. Therefore, He challenged them on it, calling them hypocrites. In order to give them a response, He next says, “You display to me the ‘coin, the census’.”
 
Instead of directly answering their question, He asks for the coin used when paying the Roman census. As this was the approved coin, it means that every person in the country had their census paid for with it.
 
Whatever they hand Him, therefore, will provide His answer to their question. If He sides with the Herodians, the Pharisees will be able to accuse Him. If He sides with the Pharisees, the Herodians will be able to accuse Him. How will He get out of this? Not yet knowing His intent, “They also offered to Him – denarius.”
 
The denarius is a Roman coin. Depending on what the census tax was referring to in Matthew 17, this may help us understand the didrachma mentioned there –
 
“When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, ‘Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?’25 He said, ‘Yes.’And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?’26 Peter said to Him, ‘From strangers.’Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.’” Matthew 17:24-27
 
Regardless of the meaning of that tax, the denarius was a standard coin, known to be widely used among the people. It has already been noted in two parables, indicating that it was the standard coin used by the people when dealing with such matters –
 
“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’” Matthew 18:28
 
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” Matthew 20:1, 2
 
As this is so, Jesus will make a point about the matter based on this.
 
Life application: If you are planning on making an accusation or a defense about a matter, one sure way to bolster your side of the argument is to have a physical prop at hand. In a trial, something with fingerprints on it is a certain way of proving that a person’s hand was on whatever is presented.
 
Having photos of a person doing something, legal or illegal, can be used to prosecute or defend. Such things work because people can see them. They become undeniable pieces of evidence to support one’s position.
 
Instead of just saying what is on His mind, Jesus uses a physical, tangible prop to support what He is about to say. Depending on what is said, and also who says it, an air-tight case can be made, beyond which there can be no contestation.
 
Remember this as you deal in such matters. If you have such a prop available to you, be sure to include it. Words can have strength, but physical evidence of some sort can be the final nail in the coffin when it is presented.
 
Lord God, help us to think matters through so that we will take the right avenue that is needed to resolve the difficult matters that arise in our lives. May this be especially true when we deal in matters which include our relationship with You. May our lives and actions always bring glory to You. Amen.
 

Thursday, 27 August 2026
 
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?” Matthew 22:18
  
“Having known, also, the ‘Jesus’, the ‘depravity, theirs’, He said, ‘Why, Me, you test, hypocrites?’” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus was questioned whether it was right to give a census to Caesar, or not. In response, it says, “Having known, also, the ‘Jesus’, the ‘depravity, theirs’.”
 
A new word is seen here, ponéria, depravity. It is derived from ponos, toil, and by implication anguish or pain. HELPS Word Studies defines it as pain-ridden evil. These men were working out evil like a criminal would. Spending their effort on what would benefit them at the expense of others.
 
In Mark, it says that Jesus knew their hypocrisy. Luke uses a word signifying craftiness. Jesus was able to know, without a moment’s hesitation, that they were trying to trap Him. As such, “He said, ‘Why, Me, you test, hypocrites?’”
 
They were presenting one face while getting ready to put on another, as the term hypocrite implies. As soon as they heard Him give an incorrect answer, which they thought would come from any answer He gave, they would pounce on Him like rabid animals.
 
But that seems less likely now that He has demonstrated that He is aware of their wicked intentions.
 
Life application: How often does it happen that you have something occur in your life and you’re not sure what to do about it, but then a few days later, the pastor preaches on exactly what you needed to know? Or maybe, you read the Bible a couple days later, and there is the answer that you could have used to resolve your difficulty.
 
Likewise, how often does something happen which would otherwise be difficult for you to handle, but just the day before, or maybe that very morning, you had read something in the Bible that mirrors the situation in which you find yourself?
 
When this happens, what does that tell you? In the first instance, you might say to yourself, “I need to read the Bible more often. If I had just spent my time there, this wouldn’t have been a problem.” In the second instance, you might say, “I sure am glad I spend each day reading the Bible. If I had skipped this morning’s reading, I may not have had a clue about what to do!”
 
The Bible is a book of many types of instruction, one of which is life in general. As you go through your life, you are bound to have instances like these come up because God created mankind. His word is a blueprint for the proper operation of human beings.
 
Marriage, work ethic, saving money, raising children, etc., are a part of what we engage in during our lives. The Bible gives sound advice, whether implicit or explicit, on such matters. Therefore, it is natural that we will find the answer to difficulties in such matters there.
 
Jesus’ example provides us with the knowledge that we should consider what people are up to when they ask various questions. Some people may seem like they are asking about one thing, when their ulterior motives are kept hidden away for a later time. The people Jesus interacted with are real people, not characters in a book.
 
As such, when we see how they interact with Jesus, we can learn from that. Consider this as you read the Bible. We can learn so much as we consider the words before us, one aspect of which is human behavior. Great stuff from the Creator to those willing to engage with His word, our blueprint for a properly run life.
 
Lord God, it is always a joy to read Your word and then find that what we read fits into the next things we are doing in our daily lives. It is like a wink from You that You have ordained our days and are directing us according to Your wisdom. Thank You for Your wonderful word. Amen.

Wednesday, 26 August 2026
 
Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Matthew 22:17
 
“You tell, therefore, us what You, it seems? It permits to give census to Caesar or not?” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, it was noted that the disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians went to Jesus, buttering Him up with platitudes. Now that they feel He is primed for a fall into the trap they have set, they say, “You tell, therefore, us what to You, it seems.”
 
Here it goes. In the previous verse, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, we have known that true, You are, and the ‘way, the God’ in truth You teach, and not it concerns You about anyone. Not, also, You look to ‘appearance, men’.”
 
Now, instead of asking what Scripture (the ‘way, the God’) says, they ask for an opinion that is surely intended to trap Him in a moral, religious, or cultural dilemma. One can see them salivating over the answer He will give, knowing that they have Him in a box. And so, with this in mind, they ask their question, “It permits to give census to Caesar or not?”
 
The kensos, census, was introduced in Matthew 17:25. It is a poll tax that was not paid in their Jewish currency but in Roman coin. This is a problem and a dilemma that the people faced. Should they obediently submit to those who ruled them, or should they rebel against their authority?
 
This is where they feel that they have trapped Him. If He says to not pay it, the Herodians are standing there, ready to report Him to the Roman authorities for being a rebel against their duly set authority.
 
On the other hand, if He says that they were to pay the poll tax, the Pharisees, as the religious authorities over the people, would be able to tell the masses that Jesus was a traitor to the nation, placing the authority of the Romans above supposed allegiance to God, who established them as a people.
 
The idea of “supposed” is not that the people could be disobedient to God, but that there may be a contingency not suggested in the presentation of their false dilemma that had nothing to do with disobedience to God.
 
Life application: As noted in a previous commentary, fallacies are mistakes in reasoning that render an argument weak, unsound, or invalid. The content of the fallacy is based on an already broken structure of argumentation.
 
The problem is that people quite often do not know what fallacies are or when they are presented. Instead, they hear what is being presented and, without thinking the matter through, assume that what is stated is valid.
 
And there are a seemingly endless number of fallacies to contend with. Some, like the false dilemma, are often so seemingly innocuous that they are hard to pin down, especially when one is under pressure to give a response.
 
A few common fallacies are: Ad Hominem – Attacking the person making an argument instead of the argument itself. Straw Man – Changing or exaggerating an opponent's argument to make it easier to knock down. False Dilemma – Pretending there are only two choices when there are more options. Appeal to Authority – Claiming something is true just because an expert or famous person says so, without real evidence. Bandwagon (Ad Populum) – Saying an idea is right because lots of people believe in it. Circular Reasoning – Repeating the claim inside the proof itself instead of giving a real reason. Slippery Slope – Claiming that a small first step will lead to a giant, bad disaster without proof. Hasty Generalization – Making a giant rule based on just a small example.
 
We hear these errors in thinking all the time, but don’t consider them because we have not taken the time to understand what is being presented or who is presenting the information.
 
Take time to go to a website that specifically lists fallacies and look them over. Consider each one in your mind before moving on. This will help you immensely when you hear people refer to all types of matters.
 
One from a religious perspective was given by John Hagee when he was selling a book about Jesus. He said, “Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah.” Obviously, he had never read the Bible through because Jesus explicitly claimed to be the Messiah in John 4:26, John 17:3 (which uses the word “Christ”, and which means “Messiah”), etc.
 
Further, the terms Messiah and Christ, when referring to Jesus, are stated well over 250 times. But what John Hagee did was to build a Straw Man fallacy by redefining what “Messiah” means for his own purposes. He then essentially said, “See, Jesus never claimed this.”
 
But how many people went out and bought the book? And how many continued to sit under his teaching after such an enormous, purposeful attack against the position and authority of Jesus? The fact that they accepted his word reflects another fallacy mentioned above, the Appeal to Authority. “Oh, the preacher is a specialist on this or that. Therefore, what he says must be true.”
 
Be careful to know when you are being sold a bill of goods. Jesus was prepared, as we will see.
 
Lord God, keep us from false teachers who present misleading, bogus, and even heretical doctrines that will blind us to the truth of Your word. Give us wisdom to understand how what they present is false so that we will not be duped by their words. Yes, help us in this, O God. Amen.
 

Tuesday, 25 August 2026
 
And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Matthew 22:16
 
“And they send to Him the ‘disciples, theirs’ with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we have known that true, You are, and the ‘way, the God’ in truth You teach, and not it concerns You about anyone. Not, also, You look to ‘appearance, men’.’” (CG)
 
The previous verse noted that the Pharisees left and took counsel on how they might ensnare Jesus in His words. That continues now, saying, “And they send to Him the ‘disciples, theirs’ with the Herodians.”
 
The Héródianoi, Herodians, are introduced at this point. Both Strong and the NAS Exhaustive Concordance say these are “partisans of Herod.” They are mentioned only three times between Matthew and Mark. Of them, Cambridge says –
 
“The Herodians are not named except in the first two Gospels; nor does Josephus include them in his account of Jewish sects. They were probably numerically insignificant, and may indeed have consisted merely of a few renegade Jews, who belonged to Herod’s court.”
 
Though nothing more is known about them, as other scholars admit, there are pages of speculation on them. Whatever their political and/or religious leanings, at this time, they were in cahoots with the Pharisees, having come with their disciples, “saying, ‘Teacher, we have known that true, You are, and the ‘way, the God’ in truth You teach.’”
 
You can see what they are up to. It just said in the previous verse concerning Jesus, “how, Him, they might ensnare in word.” In order to do that, they speak to Him with platitudes, buttering Him up so that He will be caught off guard concerning their true intent. It is a common ploy that is universal to mankind. Continuing on, they say, “and not it concerns You about anyone.”
 
A new word is seen here, meló, to concern. It deals especially with paying attention, giving thought to a matter, or taking an interest in it. In other words, their intent is that “the opinions of others don’t matter.” They are handing out platitudes before the words intended to trap Him are set forth. In confirmation of their words, they next say, “Not, also, You look to ‘appearance, men’.”
 
This is something expected by the law when dealing with people from a judicial standpoint –
 
“You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s.” Deuteronomy 1:17
 
“You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.” Deuteronomy 16:19
 
Thus, these men are essentially saying, “You certainly uphold the standards set forth by Moses.”
 
Life application: These people spoke to Jesus in a manner that buttered Him up based on standards set forth in Scripture. They figured that in this approach, Jesus would be caught off balance when they submit to Him a question intended to ensnare Him. However, they didn’t realize that Jesus is the ultimate Author of Scripture.
 
As this is so, He was fully aware of other verses that warned against people just like them –
 
“For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;Their inward part is destruction;Their throat is an open tomb;They flatter with their tongue.10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!Let them fall by their own counsels;Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,For they have rebelled against You.” Psalm 5:9, 10
 
“A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,And a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26:28
 
Jesus will be able to deal with these men in an appropriate way because He was aware of their tactics. And He was aware of them because He knew what Scripture says about such people. This is why it is important to read the word, contemplating what it says, and remembering the truths it conveys.
 
The more you read it, the more you will be able to do this. Jesus gave us Scripture, expecting us to follow Him in our understanding and right-application of it. Be sure to pay heed to what the word says!
 
Lord God, may we be diligent in our study of Your word. The more we read it and assimilate its truths into our lives, the more we will be molded in our thinking to what You have presented there. Give us the will, desire, time, and ability to grasp its many truths, applying them to our lives as we live in Your presence. Amen.

Monday, 24 August 2026
 
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. Matthew 22:15
 
“Then, having gone, the Pharisees, counsel, they took: how, Him, they might ensnare in word.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus summed up the parable of the wedding feast, saying, “Many, also, they are invitees, and few, elect.” Having said that, and fully understanding Jesus’ meaning as conveyed in the parable, it next says, “Then, having gone, the Pharisees, counsel, they took.”
 
The word tote, then, tells us this is chronological. Jesus has told them in parables what was to come upon them. This would have them completely riled up, understanding that Jesus’ intent was that they would not be included in the good things that lie ahead.
 
It would be like telling the pope the same type of thing today. He would be incredulous that anyone would dare say he was not fit for the position he held and that he would be swept away in his iniquity. Therefore, these Pharisees assembled to hold counsel “how, Him, they might ensnare in word.”
 
Here is a word found only here in Scripture, pagideuó, to ensnare. It is from pagis, a snare. They will attempt to ensnare this great wordsmith who was so eloquent in speaking parables by the very words He seemed to have such mastery over.
 
The singular “word” signifies an utterance. It is like our question today, “What is the good word?” They are looking to take some thought expressed by Jesus and have Him ruin Himself. In a society ruled by Rome, words could lead to execution. In a society under the authority of the Law of Moses, words could lead to punishment, being cut off from the nation, or execution.
 
Therefore, if they could pit what Jesus said against one side or the other, they could have Him out of their way.
 
Life application: In today’s world of social media, it isn’t hard to know what a person is really thinking. Politicians come forward with platforms that appeal to the masses, but later, their old posts or tweets are brought forward that are completely contrary to the public statements they have recently made.
 
In such cases, it is clear that the words they should be identified with are those said when there was no public eye to watch over them. If they took a particular stand at an earlier time, it is to be accepted that this is their true stand.
 
Likewise, when undercover reporters talk to someone about their views in private, those views are to be trusted above what they would say in public. They will reveal the true substance of the person’s thoughts.
 
When a person is put into a spot where he is trapped between two seemingly conflicting ideologies, he will need to navigate clearly through the snare that has been set for him. In such cases. This type of situation is often only what is known as a false dilemma. A false dilemma is also known as an either-or situation or a black-and-white scenario.
 
Limited choices are presented as the only possible options. However, such a submission will often ignore other paths that are present. Unfortunately, when people are put in such a spot, they cannot mentally untie the knot they have been presented. And so, they feel they have to make a choice where they will look good in one way while looking bad in another.
 
Follow the words ahead and see how Jesus navigates through such a false dilemma. When you understand that what was presented was not the full scope of what He could do, you can and should learn from His response. Pay attention to such challenges you may face and take a moment to think through your response.
 
Also, be sure to be as consistent in your words when you are in a private setting as you would be in a public setting. In addition to that, if you truly have changed over the years, you might consider going back through your past social media posts to remove things you said when you were thinking in a manner that no longer reflects your values.
 
Lord God, help us to have proper words that are filled with grace, respect towards others, and that always honor You. It is easy to stray into unhealthy discourse with others if we don’t monitor ourselves. So remind us of who we are because of who we belong to and what we should be saying as we live our lives in Your presence. Amen.

Sunday, 23 August 2026
 
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
 
“Many, also, they are invitees, and few, elect.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus finished His words to the leaders of Israel concerning the parable of the wedding feast, where the king told his servants to bind the man without garments, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, where there is weeping and the gnash of the teeth. With that stated, He repeats words from Matthew 20:16, “Many, also, they are invitees.”
 
Most translations say “called.” But that is a past participle forming the passive verb phrase “are called.” That is not the intent. The word means invited (as in the state of being invited), but saying invited makes it a predicate adjective. To make the intent unmistakable, it should read “invitees.”
 
In other words, it is the state in which people are. The gospel is spoken. All who hear it are invitees. However, only those who respond become a part of the next category, where Jesus says, “and few, elect.”
 
The word elektos, elect, can carry some theological baggage in people’s minds, because of the debate of what it means, especially the wrongly considered idea of election claimed by Calvinists. The most literal way of saying this would be “and few, selectees.” But that sounds like people on a county commission.
 
The intent is the state in which the people exist. They are the elect because of what was done and what they accepted in relation to that. The call for the wedding went out, people responded (free will), and they became elect because of their assent to attend. Paul uses the word in Romans 8:33 –
 
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect [elektos]? It is God who justifies.” Romans 8:31-33
 
God sent His Son, delivering Him up for us. We heard the message, believed it, and became elect. The process is grace. One cannot merit grace. A banquet was prepared based on the completed work of God’s Son. After that, people were called to attend (invitees). Those who were called rejected the offer.
 
From there, others outside of the first group were called (invitees). They did nothing to merit the call. Instead, it was God’s grace being directed toward them. Those who heard and responded from the invitees became elect.
 
HELPS Word Studies says, “Typically, eklektós (‘select, chosen’) describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God’s choice by freely receiving faith (pístis) from Him. Accordingly, these two terms are directly connected (see Tit 1:1; Lk 18:7,8).”
 
Life application: Entering the kingdom only comes through faith, and it only comes apart from the law, even if those under the law have faith. For those of Israel who were invitees, it was based not on what they did, but on what Jesus did. However, most rejected the premise, feeling that because of the law, they merited God’s favor already.
 
Gentiles, never having the law, hear the message and become elect by believing it. Where was law (other than Jesus’ fulfillment of it) ever a part of the process? It was not to be found! And yet, as soon as people hear that Christ died for their sins and they believe, someone comes along and tells them they must observe the law!
 
How can we be so dull as to believe such an unscriptural thing? The gospel of our salvation does not say a word about law –
 
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
 
That is it. That is the gospel. Once one believes, Paul then says –
 
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14
 
How can we take such a simple message and muddy it up so badly? Trust the plan that God has given. Don’t add to it. Just believe and then stand fast in what you were told! Jesus did it all. We can rest in that.
 
Lord God, may we confidently put our faith in Christ alone for our salvation and for all future promises related to that. Keep us from getting misdirected by those who look to gain from our freedom, placing us again in the chains of law observance. We are free in Christ. Help us to always remember that and praise You for it. Amen.

Saturday, 22 August 2026
 
Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 22:13
 
“Then, the king, he said to the servants, ‘Having bound his feet and hands, you take him, and you cast into the ‘darkness, the outer’. There, it will be the weeping and the ‘gnash, the teeth’.’” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, the king asked the man how he came into the nuptial without a wedding garment. When asked, he was speechless. It next says, “Then, the king, he said to the servants.”
 
A different word is used here. In verse 3, it was doulos, a bondservant. Here it is diakonos, an attendant, such as a waiter at a table.  It would be best not to read too much into this. Paul calls himself both in his epistles. However, the distinction may be that because the wedding ceremony is readied, the designation of the attendant is in line with voluntary service rather than that of compulsion. Of these servants, the king says, “Having bound his feet and hands.”
 
Things are not looking good for this fellow. As he is representative of anyone who is not properly attired, meaning covered by the righteousness of Christ, there will be many who will find out what it means to reject Him and His offer of peace with God.
 
As suggested in previous commentaries, the man is being used as a representative of not having Christ’s righteousness. It is not that any will somehow creep into the gathering of the saints who are not worthy, but that this is what those who are not worthy can expect. Of them, the command continues, “you take him, and you cast into the ‘darkness, the outer’.”
 
Some manuscripts leave off the words “you take him.” So either a scribe missed that in the original (something that is very easy to do), or maybe it was added to relieve the abrupt nature of the command without that inclusion.
 
Either way, the ultimate end of the man remains unchanged. He is cast into outer darkness, a thought repeated from Matthew 8:13, which followed the thought, “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:12).
 
In both, the idea of Israel not getting a free pass is seen. They must come to God in the same manner that is set for all people. There is one way to be deemed right before God, and it centers on the Person and Work of Jesus. Understanding that, the parable continues with, “There, it will be the weeping and the ‘gnash, the teeth’.”
 
Again, the words follow what is said in Matthew 8:13. There will be joy and blessing for those who receive the gospel. There will be sadness and misery for those who do not. The parable details this fact. Faith in Jesus is the difference between the two.
 
Life application: The account of Matthew 8 detailed the faith of the centurion, a gentile who understood Jesus’ authority and capabilities. His faith exceeded that of all others in Israel (Matthew 8:10). This is what prompted Jesus’ words concerning those who would sit and dine with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom.
 
The parable of the wedding feast parallels that thought. Though it doesn’t mention faith, it does note the unworthiness of some and the worthiness of others. Determining what makes one worthy, faith, makes the parable understandable.
 
It is not uncommon to hear people say that they have lost their faith because of a calamity, difficulty, or major trial in their lives. Is that a reason to lose faith? If so, it means that we are conditioning our faith on our circumstances, not on the object of proper faith, meaning Jesus. 
 
If anything, our hope in Christ should strengthen when we face such catastrophes. If this world (not God) is weighing us down, we should want to be out of here and with God all the more, not less. Take time to evaluate why you believe what you believe. God does not promise us easy lives, freedom from pain or trial, wealth, or any such thing during this life.
 
He does, however, promise us a new and far better existence in His presence someday. That is what we should be focusing on. Be sure to fix your eyes on Jesus. Anything else will lead to unhappiness as you walk through this fallen, troubling world.
 
Lord God, it is certain that difficulties, trials, and tribulations can be expected in this life. Help us to navigate through them with our faith only increasing as we await the day when we are forever in Your presence. Give us the wisdom to stand fast on Your promises which lie ahead. Amen.
 

Friday, 21 August 2026
 
So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Matthew 22:12
 
“And he says to him, ‘Shammer! How – you entered here, not having ‘apparel, nuptial’?’ The ‘also’, he muzzled.” (CG)
 
In the previous verse, Jesus, still relaying the details of the parable, said that when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man who did not have on a wedding garment. Seeing him, Jesus notes, “And he says to him, ‘Shammer!’”
 
This is the second of three uses of the word hetairos. HELPS Word Studies defines it, saying, “properly, a companion (normally an imposter), posing to be a comrade but in reality only has his own interests in mind.” They also note he is acting for self-gain.
 
The man is seen to be unqualified to be at the wedding. Therefore, the king continues, “How – you entered here, not having ‘apparel, nuptial’?”
 
As noted in the previous commentary, this is an example of the care that will be given to the matter of the feast. It’s not that a person who is not qualified to be there will be mistakenly taken at the rapture. Rather, it is a way of demonstrating limitation. Only those who are properly attired will be able to attend.
 
God knows, in advance, who is His and who is not. In a good church with good doctrine and a right heart for the Lord, there may be some who are only there for a selfish reason. They will be excluded.
 
In a bad church with few who care about the Lord, there may be some who still hold to the truth and have faith in the Lord and His word. They will be included while the others are excluded. As it says in 2 Timothy 2:19, “The Lord knows those who are His.” Finishing up the thought, Jesus says, “The ‘also’, he muzzled.”
 
Considering that Jesus’ parable points to those of the law who have rejected the grace of God in Christ, Paul’s words of Romans 3 fit these words well –
 
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19, 20
 
Life application: For those who insist on law observance, it is good to be reminded for whom the law is designed. Is this how you want to be perceived by God? Paul says –
 
“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” 1 Timothy 1:8-11
 
Is that how you want to be considered in God’s eyes? If so, keep up with your law observance! When you are evaluated in accord with the standard you have chosen, you will find yourself removed from God’s presence because of your unfaithful stand.
 
You have willingly continued to place yourself at enmity with God, because it is by law that we have the knowledge of sin. When sin is committed under the law, judgment must be meted out. However, in Christ, because of trusting in His fulfillment of the law, Paul says we are not under law but grace.
 
As we are not under law, there is no judgment leading to condemnation. Sin cannot be imputed where law does not exist. This is what it means to be “in Christ.” As Jesus has met God’s standard, and because we have trusted in the imputation of His righteousness to us by faith, we are a part of Him, set aside from any chance of condemnation.
 
Why would anyone want to set that aside and live under law? And yet, it is as common as mosquitoes in Florida in the summertime. People need to think clearly about the consequences of their prideful actions. By placing oneself under law, he is bound to the consequences of violating that law.
 
People understand this in other areas of life. In the US, there is an enormous exodus of people from liberal states where laws are passed to punish the people with high taxes, removal of personal freedoms, and the imposition of nutty restrictions. They want to be freed from those things, understanding that the move will take them to a place where those laws don’t exist.
 
Law is the problem! And yet, in our spiritual lives, so many keep going back to the source of penalties instead of the freedom in Christ. Think things through. Trust in God’s grace. Rest contentedly in the full, final, finished, and forever work of Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
Lord God Almighty, help us to think clearly about where we will hang our proverbial hat in matters related to salvation. May we never consider hanging it anywhere but on Jesus’ completed work. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.