In Matthew’s account of the wedding banquet, he mentions an improperly dressed guest. I’m pretty sure that this veiled accusation of who this “guest” was would not have been lost on the Pharisees.
The question over the taxes would have set Jesus at odds not only with the religious leaders and faithful followers of Judaism, but with the Roman government as well.
The Sadducees believed that there was no resurrection of the body so of course the question they came up with to trap Jesus would be based on this idea.
Then the Pharisees were at it again and used an expert in religious law to trick him. Of course Jesus’ answer is brilliant – all the laws are wrapped up in these two laws. If you look at the 10 commandments the first 4 are based on loving God, the last 6 are based on loving others. There isn’t any law that we can come up with that doesn’t fit into one of those two categories.
And finally, Jesus asks them a question, which they cannot answer and so they realize they will never win their battle in this way.
Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior and they are too blinded by their own ideas and their own ambitions that they cannot see Him for who He truly is.
Shalom
Pastor Kathy