Author: Pastor Ellis

Los herodianos eran un grupo judío relacionado con el poder político de la familia de Herodes. Vivían en el tiempo de Jesús y apoyaban el gobierno herodiano, que funcionaba bajo la autoridad de Roma.

En los Evangelios, los herodianos aparecen como opositores de Jesús. Se unieron con los fariseos para buscar la manera de acusarlo, especialmente cuando le preguntaron si era correcto pagar impuestos al César.

Su presencia en la Biblia muestra cómo distintos grupos podían unirse contra Jesús cuando su autoridad tocaba sus intereses. Los herodianos representan la cercanía al poder político y la resistencia humana ante el reino de Dios.

En el Estudio Extra veremos con más detalle por qué los herodianos aparecen junto a los fariseos, qué significa la respuesta de Jesús sobre el César, y cómo este pasaje nos enseña a seguir al Señor con una lealtad sincera hoy.

The Herodians were a Jewish political group in the time of Jesus. They supported the rule of Herod’s family, which governed parts of Israel under Roman authority. They appear in the Gospels as people who opposed Jesus and worked with the Pharisees to trap Him.

The Bible mentions the Herodians in connection with questions about taxes, authority, and loyalty to Rome. In Mark 3:6, the Pharisees and Herodians began plotting against Jesus after He healed on the Sabbath. In Matthew 22:16 and Mark 12:13, they joined others in asking Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.

Their role in the Bible shows how different groups could unite against Jesus when His authority challenged their interests. The Herodians remind us that Jesus was rejected by both religious leaders and political supporters of worldly power.

The Extra Study below goes deeper into the Herodians, why they appear alongside the Pharisees, how Jesus answered their trap about Caesar, and what this teaches us about faith, loyalty, and following the Lord today.

The meaning of the parable of the good Samaritan is that true love for God is shown through mercy toward people in need. Jesus tells the story to show that loving your neighbour is active, costly, and practical.

In the parable, a wounded man is ignored by religious people who should have helped him. A Samaritan, who would have been seen as an outsider by many Jews at the time, stops to care for him. Jesus uses this to teach that a neighbour is someone who shows mercy, regardless of background, status, or social divide.

The parable calls every believer to examine the way they treat people who are vulnerable, overlooked, or inconvenient to help. Jesus ends the story with a command: “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).

The Extra Study goes deeper into the passage, the meaning behind Jesus’ words, the shock of the Samaritan’s mercy, and what this teaching means for faith today. It will help you see how this parable speaks to love, obedience, compassion, and daily life with the Lord.

At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performed His first recorded miracle. The wine ran out during the celebration, and Mary brought the need to Jesus. Jesus told the servants to fill six stone water jars with water. When the master of the feast tasted what had been drawn out, the water had become wine.

This happened in John 2:1-11. The miracle showed Jesus’ glory, and His disciples believed in Him. It was a quiet miracle, seen most clearly by the servants and disciples, yet it revealed that Jesus had divine authority, deep compassion, and power over creation.

The wedding in Cana also shows that Jesus entered ordinary human life with grace. He cared about a family’s shame, honoured the setting of marriage, and used the moment to reveal who He is.

The Extra Study below goes deeper into the passage, the meaning of the miracle, what it shows about Jesus, and how this moment speaks to faith today.

Jesus asked “Who do you say that I am?” because He was drawing His disciples to a personal confession of faith. Many people had opinions about Him, but Jesus wanted His followers to speak from conviction.

Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That answer showed that Jesus was the promised Messiah and the Son sent by the Father. Jesus was bringing His disciples to the heart of faith: knowing who He truly is.

The question still matters today. Every person must answer it. Christian faith begins with seeing Jesus as Lord, trusting Him, and following Him with a willing heart.

The Extra Study below goes deeper into the passage, the meaning of Peter’s confession, the teachings of Jesus, and what this question means for faith today. It helps us see why this moment matters for discipleship and how it should shape our walk with the Lord.

In Mark 5, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. The man had lived among the tombs, isolated, tormented, and beyond human help. After Jesus delivers him, the man begs to go with Jesus. Surprisingly, Jesus says no. Instead, He tells him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

This stands out because Jesus often told people to stay quiet after miracles. Here, the situation is different. This man was in a Gentile region, away from the main Jewish crowds where messianic excitement could quickly be misunderstood. Jesus sends him back as a living witness. The people who once knew him as broken, dangerous, and unclean would now see him restored, clothed, and in his right mind. His testimony became the first sermon many people in that region ever heard about Jesus.

Jesus told him to speak because his life had become evidence of mercy. The man did not need a platform, training, or a long explanation. He simply had to tell what the Lord had done for him.

There is a lot more going on in this passage than one healed man being told to share his story. In the Extra Study, we look at why Jesus sent him home, why the location matters, why the crowd reacted with fear, and what this moment shows about the mercy and authority of Christ. Unlock the full study below to keep reading.

His payment of the temple tax reveals that He is the Son who owns the house.

The temple existed for the worship of the living God. The tax supported that house. When Jesus speaks with Peter, He frames the issue around kings and their sons. Earthly kings do not collect tribute from their own children. Sons share in the household. They stand in a unique relationship to the throne.

Jesus applies that truth to Himself. He identifies God as His Father in a direct and personal way. The temple belongs to the Father. The Son therefore stands in freedom regarding its obligations. His identity is not that of a mere teacher or prophet. He speaks as the rightful heir.

At the same time, He chooses to pay. That decision reveals confidence in who He is. He does not defend His status with force. He acts in humility for the sake of others. His authority remains intact. His sonship remains clear. The coin in the fish’s mouth confirms His sovereign power over creation. Provision comes at His command.

The episode reveals divine sonship joined with voluntary humility. He stands above the obligation as Son. He walks within ordinary structures as servant. His identity shapes His conduct. His freedom expresses itself through love.