ESOCS Devotional 31 October 2026 – Unfriendly People Can Unite to Fight You
MEMORY VERSE: “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thou regard not the person of men?” Matthew 22:15-16 KJV
TEXT: MATTHEW 22:15-33
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
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The Pharisees were a prominent religious sect and political group in ancient Judaism during the Second Temple period. They opposed Roman occupation of Palestine. The Herodians on the other hand, were a political group who promoted the reign of the Herods, as they were appointed and sanctioned by the government of Rome. They also agreed with the Roman occupation of the Jewish nation. They taught that taxes must be paid to Rome.
These two religious groups opposed each other; they were bitter enemies. But on this occasion, in order to trap Jesus and destroy His influence, they united. They agreed and sent their representatives to meet Jesus to question Him about paying Romans taxes (tribute) – to “entangle” him. So, in verse 17, they asked Jesus if it is lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not. Jesus was careful because He knew their intent and purpose. He told them to pay to the person whose inscription is on the coin – Caesar.
Our concern here is not the question but that bitter enemies can unite to fight a Believer. The same thing is happening today against Believers and Body of Christ. In the church, two or more unfriendly members can unite against the leader, against a member, or against members or the church as a whole. Like the Pharisees and Sadducees, after they achieved their aim or if it is defeated, the alliance is broken.
We should be wary of such group of people and their unholy alliance with the intent to pull you down or to pull the church down.
Reflections
- Many unholy alliances are cropping up in churches today to pull it down.
Prayer
- God, do not allow me to be used by dissenting voices in the church to foment trouble.
Further Reading: Nehemiah 4; Luke 23:12; Acts 4:27
ESOCS Devotional 31 October 2026
