14. They went to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we know that you are an honest man. You are not afraid of what others think about you. All people are the same to you. And you teach the truth about God’s way. Tell us, is it right to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?”
15. But Jesus knew that these men were really trying to trick him. He said, “Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong? Bring me a silver coin. Let me see it.”
16. They gave Jesus a coin and he asked, “Whose picture is on the coin? And whose name is written on it?” They answered, “It is Caesar’s picture and Caesar’s name.”
17. Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” The men were amazed at what Jesus said.
18. Then some Sadducees came to Jesus. (Sadducees believe that no one will rise from death.) They asked him a question:
19. “Teacher, Moses wrote that if a married man dies and had no children, his brother must marry the woman. Then they will have children for the dead brother.
20. There were seven brothers. The first brother married but died. He had no children.
21. So the second brother married the woman. But he also died and had no children. The same thing happened with the third brother.
22. All seven brothers married the woman and died. None of the brothers had any children with her. And she was the last to die.
23. But all seven brothers had married her. So at the time when people rise from death, whose wife will she be?”
24. Jesus answered, “How could you be so wrong? It’s because you don’t know what the Scriptures say. And you don’t know anything about God’s power.
25. When people rise from death, there will be no marriage. People will not be married to each other. All people will be like angels in heaven.
26. Surely you have read what God said about people rising from death. In the book where Moses wrote about the burning bush, it says that God told Moses this: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’
27. So they were not still dead, because he is the God only of living people. You Sadducees are so wrong!”
28. One of the teachers of the law came to Jesus. He heard Jesus arguing with the Sadducees and the Pharisees. He saw that Jesus gave good answers to their questions. So he asked him, “Which of the commands is the most important?”
29. Jesus answered, “The most important command is this: ‘People of Israel, listen! The Lord our God is the only Lord.
30. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
31. The second most important command is this: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ These two commands are the most important.”
32. The man answered, “That was a good answer, Teacher. You are right in saying that God is the only Lord and that there is no other God.
33. And you must love God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength. And you must love others the same as you love yourself. These commands are more important than all the animals and sacrifices we offer to God.”