Wednesday had ended with the rulers being filled with frustration and hatred because of the open attacks made upon them by Jesus. “The same hour” (Luke) that he spoke his very plain parable of the wicked husbandmen “they sought to lay hands on him” (Luke)—would have arrested him there and then in the temple court—but “they feared the people”.
So overnight they planned different tactics. Earlier they had joined forces to make their challenge: “By what authority doest thou these things?” (Mark 11:27). Now, next day, they came at Jesus separately with more problems. Somehow they must undermine his standing with the people and also find good ground for accusation against him.
There is no explicit statement by any of the synoptists that this renewed attack took place next day, Thursday, but Matthew (22:15) seems to imply here an intermission in their evil activities. The chronology of the last week also seems to require it. And if there is no break, then the gospels represent the Lord Jesus as cramming an incredible amount of activity into one day.
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Author: Harry Whittaker
Keywords: tribute, pay tribute, paying tribute to Caesar, Tribute to Caesar, Render unto Caesar, Render unto God, Paying taxes, tax, taxes
Bible reference(s): Matt. 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26
Source: Studies in the Gospels.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.