The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 381

1111persoription. By Christ kings reign. His religion is no enemy to civil government (see Rom. xiii. 1). Cmsar is to claim nothing but what is "Cresar's." He is neither to claim, nor are we to render to him, what is "God's." (2) Cresar may claim honour, v.iz. in return for the government protection afforded to life, property, and liberty. (3) Cresar may claim obedience, viz. to the laws instituted for the restraint of evil- doers, and the maintenance of order and freedom. (4) Cresar m:i.y also claim tribute, viz. to meet the expenses of the government in the exercise of its proper functions. 4. It is seen in the assertion of tlte claims of God. (1) Generally God also claims whatever has bis image and superscription. The image of God stamped on the spirit of man denotes that all bis facultie,; 1.:-~. powers belong to God, and should be used for bis glory. (2) Eminently to God belongs our religion-our love, worship, and obedience. Cresar bas no right to meddle with this. Cresar is only to be resi~ted when not to do so would be to resist God. (3) If Cresar intrude into this domain, then the Christian must suffer rather than sin. (4) In questions of conflict between the claims of God and Cmsar, the Christian man has to be guided by a conscience enlightened by great principles. Hence Christ left the question open which was put to him, but enunciated the great principles by which every man may determine for himself. III. THE VENOM OF THE SERPENT m HIS FOLLY. 1. And when they heard it they marvelled. (1) They marvelled at his knowledge of their hearts. (2) They marvelled at the adroitness with which he avoided their arts. (3) They marvelled at the wisdom of bis doctrine. (4) They marvelled at the incisiveness of his rebukes. 2. But they left him, and went their way. (1) Their admiration should have drawn them to him with repentance. (2) They showed no signs of repentance. Christ is marvellous to many to whom he is not precious. The lessons of wisdom are lost upon them. (3) "They went their way," not his. His way was heavenward. Their way was to per- di.tion.-J. A. M. Vers. 23-33.-The resztrrection of the dead. When Jesus had disposed of the Pharisees and Herodians, the Sadducees approached him. They were the physiciats- the materialists-of their time, who did not believe in angels or spirits, and accounted as a thing incredible the resurrection of the dead. They urged a case which they deemed conclusive against the latter, which is recorded here (vers. 23-28). We are ehiefl.y concerned with our Lord's reply (vers. 29-32). Hence we learn- L THAT THE HUMAN SPIRIT BAB ITS TRUE LIFE IN UNION WITH Gon. 1. Oove- ieanC relationship is ea;pressed in the term" God of." (1) Thus when Jehovah pro- claims himself to be" the God of .Abraham," the meaning is that be stands in covenant relationship to that patriarch (see Gen. :xvii. 7, 8). So of Isaac and of Jacob; but be never speaks of himself as the God of Lot, of Ishmael, or of Esau. (2) By the Sinai covenant with the Hebrew nation he became the "God of Israel" (see Deut. ::uix. 10---13). (3) Now, in the gospel covenant, he is" the God" of every true believer (cf. Jer. xxxi. 31-34; Heh. viii. 10). 2. The covenant relationship implies purifica- tion from sin. (1) The Hebrew word for" covenant" expresses the ide:i. of purifica- tion. '!'he plan of God's goodness and mercy is sometimes called his purification ; the term is also applied to the sacrifices offered to God, and Christ himself is called the CG>i'ene.nt, or Purification Sacrifice, of his people. (2) The phrase," make a covenant," is literally, "cut off a purifier," or purification sacnfice, in allusion to the death of the sacrifices. So Messiah was to be "cut off out of the land of the living" (Isa. !iii. 8) (3) The sacrificial blood sprinkled is called the sprinkling of the blood of the covenant the effect of which was ceremonial purification (see Heh. ix. 19, 20). This of course typified the purifying efficacy of the blood of Christ (see Heh. ix. 13-15). (4) The Shechinah passing with Abraham along the avenue between the divided pieces of th, sacrifices, when God entered into covenant with that patriarch, set forth the consent ol the sinner to be treated as the sacrifices were treated should he violate the Law of God, and the engagement of God to light up with his favour and friendship tho way of obedi. ence through the blood of Christ (cf. Gen. xv.10, 17; Exod. xix.18; Jer. xxxiv.18-:20) 3. Tlie life of the covenant is more than ea;istence. (1) The God of the pure is "the. God of the living" (var. 32). Luke adds, "For all live unto him" (Luke xx. 38), viz. all standing in true covenant relationship to him. The unbelieving Jews existc,1, but they did not "livo" in Christ's senRe, when he said, "Ye will not come unto UJ.•, JIIA'l'THEW-ll. 2 ll '86 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST, Md.T'l'HEW. [on. xxn. 1--46.