Some years ago, there was a national radio program during which listeners would call in to get solutions to their car problems. The program hosts were good at figuring out most of the problems but were occasionally wrong. To test their diagnostic capabilities, they included something called “Stump the Chumps” where they would call back some of the callers to see if they had given the right answer to the caller’s problem. This was always an interesting part of the program.

If you were to read ahead in Mark 12, you would see some people trying to stump Jesus with difficult questions. In Mark 12:13-17, the Pharisees and Herodians ask whether they should pay taxes to Caesar. In Mark 12:18-27, the Sadducees question whether there will a resurrection. In Mark 12:28-34, a scribe asks which of God’s commands was the most important. Jesus answers each of the questions but often does it in a way that is not expected. As we look at these questions, notice how Jesus responds and the masterful way He answers them.