Charlotte Thain
PART 2A - TRAP QUESTION
Mark 12:13-17 - Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar
"13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him." What is the question? Who is asking and why? "Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” A Pharisee asks this question in an attempt to trip Jesus up. It is a trick question because no matter how he answers, the Pharisees will be able to use it against him. What is happening or has happened in the gospel at this time? Jesus is preaching in Jerusalem. The section of the gospel that this story is in is called "Jerusalem". It comes before "The Tomb" and after "The Way To Jerusalem". How does Jesus respond? Does he use any Old Testament references or challenge the questioner? Jesus asks the Pharisee directly, “Why are you trying to trap me?”. Jesus asks the Pharisee who's image is on the Roman coin. When they reply with the name of the Roman emperor, Jesus asks them to “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.". He says this because there is no beauty in wealth in the eyes of God. One who is selfish and hoards their wealth will not be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. He asks these people to give their money away but praise God in the way he deserves. Jesus does not use any Old Testament references in this story. How do you think those people (in the story) who heard Jesus' response might have felt? The last line of the passage is "And they were amazed at him". These people were in awe of the wise advice Jesus gave and possibly also of how Jesus handled the situation. The Pharisee might have felt frustrated that Jesus was able to give an answer that could not be used against him. What was the message mark was trying to convey about Jesus by including this story? In this story, Jesus insists that money is the work of men and has no value to God in heaven. One's material wealth is not recognised in the eyes of God. Jesus evades falling into the Pharisee's trap, proving his cunning and intelligence. PART 2B - GENUINE QUESTION Mark 2:18-22 - Jesus Questioned About Fasting 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. …show more content…
Peter is determined to be the best follower of Jesus, but he prematurely thinks he understands what it means to follow Jesus. Before Jesus' crucifixion, Peter does not believe Jesus’s when Jesus tells him that he will deny having known Jesus, but he does end up denying his friendship to Jesus during the series of events surrounding the trial and crucifixion. After Peter realizes his mistake he cries. He is forgiven, and he remains the rock upon which Jesus says he will build his church. His name literally means "the Rock". Peter is an excellent example of faithful and selfless discipleship. Simon Peter is seen as a close friend and companion of Jesus. Throughout Mark's Gospel, Peter witnessed many significant events Jesus' life such as the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mk 5:37) the transfiguration (Mk 9:2) Jesus’ sermon on the future (Mk 13:3) and Jesus’ agony in Gethsemani (Mk 14:33-37). Even now, Catholics admire Peter for his solid faith and humanity. Mark presents Peter as very human in his gospel. Simon was one of Jesus' closest disciple's, and Jesus entrusts his legacy to
PART 2A - TRAP QUESTION
Mark 12:13-17 - Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar
"13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him." What is the question? Who is asking and why? "Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” A Pharisee asks this question in an attempt to trip Jesus up. It is a trick question because no matter how he answers, the Pharisees will be able to use it against him. What is happening or has happened in the gospel at this time? Jesus is preaching in Jerusalem. The section of the gospel that this story is in is called "Jerusalem". It comes before "The Tomb" and after "The Way To Jerusalem". How does Jesus respond? Does he use any Old Testament references or challenge the questioner? Jesus asks the Pharisee directly, “Why are you trying to trap me?”. Jesus asks the Pharisee who's image is on the Roman coin. When they reply with the name of the Roman emperor, Jesus asks them to “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.". He says this because there is no beauty in wealth in the eyes of God. One who is selfish and hoards their wealth will not be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. He asks these people to give their money away but praise God in the way he deserves. Jesus does not use any Old Testament references in this story. How do you think those people (in the story) who heard Jesus' response might have felt? The last line of the passage is "And they were amazed at him". These people were in awe of the wise advice Jesus gave and possibly also of how Jesus handled the situation. The Pharisee might have felt frustrated that Jesus was able to give an answer that could not be used against him. What was the message mark was trying to convey about Jesus by including this story? In this story, Jesus insists that money is the work of men and has no value to God in heaven. One's material wealth is not recognised in the eyes of God. Jesus evades falling into the Pharisee's trap, proving his cunning and intelligence. PART 2B - GENUINE QUESTION Mark 2:18-22 - Jesus Questioned About Fasting 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. …show more content…
Peter is determined to be the best follower of Jesus, but he prematurely thinks he understands what it means to follow Jesus. Before Jesus' crucifixion, Peter does not believe Jesus’s when Jesus tells him that he will deny having known Jesus, but he does end up denying his friendship to Jesus during the series of events surrounding the trial and crucifixion. After Peter realizes his mistake he cries. He is forgiven, and he remains the rock upon which Jesus says he will build his church. His name literally means "the Rock". Peter is an excellent example of faithful and selfless discipleship. Simon Peter is seen as a close friend and companion of Jesus. Throughout Mark's Gospel, Peter witnessed many significant events Jesus' life such as the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mk 5:37) the transfiguration (Mk 9:2) Jesus’ sermon on the future (Mk 13:3) and Jesus’ agony in Gethsemani (Mk 14:33-37). Even now, Catholics admire Peter for his solid faith and humanity. Mark presents Peter as very human in his gospel. Simon was one of Jesus' closest disciple's, and Jesus entrusts his legacy to