John Gill

But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them,

“But he perceived their craftiness,.... Knowing what was in them, and being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of their hearts, he clearly saw that their view was either, that they might have a charge against him to the Roman governor, should he declare…”

“Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.

“Show me a penny,.... A Roman denarius, value seven pence halfpenny of our money.”

So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

“And he said unto them, render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's,.... The Arabic version renders it, "give to the king what is the king's"; the tribute that was due to him; since they were under his government, and were protected by him…”

Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him.

“That is, "to Jesus", as the Persic version expresses it; and it was the same day, as Matthew says, on which the disciples of the Pharisees, and the Herodians, had been with him, putting the question about tribute to him: Mat 22:16 which deny that…”

“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise…

“Saying, master, Moses wrote unto us,.... In Deu 25:5 where the substance of what follows is contained, though not in express words: if any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up…”

Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife, but died childless.

“There were therefore seven brethren,.... In the place where these Sadducees dwelt; or, however, that were known by them; at least they supposed such a case, and it might be fact: and the first took a wife, and died without children; son or daughter, and…”

Then the second

“And the second took her to wife,.... As he was obliged by the above law, or pluck off the shoe: and he died childless: as his eldest brother before him.”

So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven were married to her.”

“Therefore in the resurrection,.... At the time of the resurrection of the dead, in that state, supposing there will be such an one, which they denied; whose wife of them is she? the first, or the last, or any of the intermediate ones?”

But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.

“But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world,.... The world to come, eternal life and happiness; not by their own works and merits, but through the blood, sacrifice, and righteousness of the Messiah; and the resurrection from the dead; that is, the…”

Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush.

“Now that the dead are raised,.... Or that there will be a resurrection of the dead, this is a proof of it: even Moses showed at the bush: when the Lord appeared to him out of it, and he saw it burning with fire, and…”

Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!”

“Then certain of the Scribes, answering said,.... Who believed the doctrine of the resurrection, which the Sadducees denied, and so were pleased with our Lord's reasoning on this subject: master, thou hast well said; thou hast spoken in a beautiful manner, reasoned finely upon this…”

Then Jesus declared, “How can it be said that the Christ is the Son of David?

“And he said unto them,.... The Ethiopic version reads, "to the Pharisees"; and so it appears, that it was to them he spoke, from Mat 22:41 how say they? The Syriac version reads, "how say the Scribes?"”

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

“Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Which words are a continuation of the citation out of the above Psalm Psa 110:1; and for the application of these words, with the preceding, to the Messiah; see Gill on Mat 22:44.”

In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples,

“Then in the audience of all the people,.... Whilst they were about him, and hearing him, and for their sakes too; he said unto his disciples; yea, he spake to the multitude, as well as to the disciples, as appears from Mat 23:1.”

They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

“Which devour widows' houses,.... As the characters of them, in the preceding verse, expose their pride, this shows their avarice; they were very voracious and cruel; they did not spare widows, but devoured their substance: and for a show make long prayers; to cover their…”

Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,

“And he looked up,.... As Christ sat over against the treasury, looking upon the ground, he lift up his eyes; for the treasury was not in an high place, or above Christ, who was right against it.”

and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.

“And he saw also a certain poor widow,.... Whom he took particular notice of above all the rest: the poor, and the widow, are regarded by him, and are his care; nor are their mean services, done in faith, and from a principle of love…”

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.

“And he said,.... To his disciples, as the Ethiopic version adds; these he called to him, upon this occasion, as appears from Mar 12:43 of a truth I say unto you, that this poor woman hath cast in more than they all: than all the…”

As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said,

“And as some spake of the temple,.... These were the disciples; Mark says, one of them; but it seems there were more than one; one might begin the discourse, and others join him: how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts; See Gill on…”

“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

“As for these things which ye behold,.... Some, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, read these words by way of interrogation; "are these the things which ye behold?" do ye look upon these with wonder and delight?”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

“And they asked him,.... That is, his disciples, when they were come to the Mount of Olives, and as he sat upon that, Mat 24:3 saying, master, but when shall these things be?”

When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.”

“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions,.... Or seditions and tumults; "wars" may design the wars of the Romans, against the Jews; and the "commotions", or seditions, the internal troubles among themselves: be not terrified; as if the destruction of the nation, city…”

This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses.

“And it shall turn to you for a testimony. By this means they would have an opportunity of leaving their testimony for Christ before kings and rulers; and what they should meet with from them, would be a means of strengthening and confirming them in…”

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.

“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren,.... See Gill on Mat 10:21. and kinsfolks, and friends. The Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions add, "your", to each of these relations, as your parents, &c.”

By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.

“In your patience, possess ye your souls. By patiently bearing all afflictions, reproaches, indignities, and persecutions, enjoy yourselves; let nothing disturb or distress you; possess that peace and joy in your souls, which the world cannot take away; see Rom 5:3.”