Pharisees and nations
Jesus silences the Sadducees with his question from Exodus 3, but then the Pharisees hear about it and “gather” together to ask Him further questions. The verb is doubly significant: On the one hand, it’s the verbal form of the word for synagogue; the Pharisees form a synagogue in opposition to Jesus. On the other hand, the verb recalls Psalm 2, the gathering of the Gentile kings against the Christ.
The Pharisees have become the rebellious nations that the Son is going to break with a rod of iron, their “synagogues” a gathering of hatred for God.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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