The Grands Letter (Matt/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on July 17, 2026 5:30 am (CST)
Dear Grands,
Matthew 22:15-22, “Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said.
16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.
17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?’
18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?”
19 “Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.”
People who are always seeking to justify their actions look for ways to entrap those who hold a differing opinion. Do away with what your opposition says and, theoretically, your opinion stands as the true and valid opinion. It’s an old trick, but it only works against those who have no skill in setting forth ideas that oppose a more intelligent foe.
The Pharisees were so certain that they could entrap Jesus that they scribbled together this poll-tax idea. Evidently, they had overlooked the fact that the likeness stamped on the coin was that of Caesar himself. While the coin could have been used for virtually any common purchase, it was Jesus’ “evidence number one” for this situation.
Quite often, it is the little and obvious things that become the “trigger points” in refuting an idea. Jesus used it here and won the day. Too often we look too deeply for answers that are lying on the surface before us. There is nothing better for the refutation of spiritual error than the Scriptures themselves! Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me…” (John 5:39).
The resolution to all of life’s problems resides in the Bible. “Seek from the book of the LORD…” (Isa. 34).
Heartily in Christ,
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America
“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom
