David

In biblical times, people wed at a young age with marriages arranged by the fathers of the couple. The betrothal took place in early youth and was a legal marriage, although the woman remained in her father’s house.

Keeping Up Appearances’ is a popular British sitcom that ran from 1990-1995. The plot centres on Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced “Bouquet”), a snobbish middle-aged Englishwoman on a lifelong quest to escape her working-class background, climb the social ladder and claim her rightful place in society.

The rabbis in Jesus’ time identified 613 commands (248 positive [you shall] and 365 negative [you shall not]) that were prescribed in the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. Given the impossible burden this posed, this prompted much argument as to which were the most important.

The gospels are full of great stories; and this Sunday’s extract is no exception. It all hinges on a “trick question”. The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to tempt Jesus into committing a political faux pas.