Genesis 49:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As the prophet foretold, when He departed from Bethany and entered Jerusalem ‘humble, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey’ (Zechariah 9:9), the children leaped ahead and praised Him, crying out, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ (Matthew 21:9). Many who gathered also spread their cloaks along His path, exalting His very approach. Yet, they were filled with rage, pierced through by the arrows of jealousy, whispering among themselves and nearly accusing those slow to carry out His death. They lamented, ‘Do you see that you have no time left? The entire world is following Him’ (John 12:19).

Afraid of the multitude that had already placed their faith in Him, they restrained themselves from openly confronting Christ. In an attempt to ensnare Him in a trap with the Roman authorities, they sent some of their disciples along with the Herodians, posing the question, ‘Teacher, we know that You are honest: tell us, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ (Matthew 22:16-17). But they were quickly outwitted, for when Christ was shown a denarius, He responded, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's’ (Matthew 22:21). Ashamed by this revelation, they should have ceased attempting to test Him, yet they continued to pursue that course (cf. Mt. 22:23ff.).

In another instance, Jesus fashioned a whip from cords and drove out the merchants from the temple, declaring, ‘Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!’ (John 2:14-16; cf. Mt. 21:13ff.). Indignant, they approached Him and demanded, ‘By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?’ (Matt. 21:23). What was Christ's response? ‘I will ask you one question,’ He stated, ‘answer Me this: The baptism of John, where was it from? Was it from heaven or from men?’ They deliberated among themselves, reasoning that if they declared it to be from heaven, He would question why they did not believe him; if they claimed it was from men, they feared the crowds, for all regarded John as a prophet. Thus, they replied to Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ In turn, Christ said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things’ (Matthew 21:24-27).

Thus, Gad represents temptation, specifically the constant testing of the Pharisees. Yet they too, in their pride, are similarly tempted ‘at their feet,’ meaning directly. For Christ, in accordance with the prophet's words, ‘catches the wise in their own cunning,’ artfully leading them to seek the contrary (Job 5:13; cf. Is. 29:14; 1 Cor. 1:20).

Show Me the coin used for the tax.’ When they produced it, He asked, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They answered, ‘Caesar's.’ Thus, He bound them with their own arguments and ensnared them in their own traps. He then declared, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's,’ ensuring they did not contradict their own statements. They were astonished and departed from Him (Matt. 22:17-22). It is no surprise that the One who possesses all knowledge responded in this manner. Moses indicated that this prophecy of St. James pertains to Christ, saying, ‘Blessed is He who dwells in Gad; He rests like a lion, having crushed the arms of the rulers; he perceived from eternity that the territory of the rulers was divided, gathering with the leaders of the nations, and the Lord executed righteousness and judgment upon Israel’ (Deut. 33:20-21). Thus, we understand who is likened to a lion as He overcomes the power of the rulers, for His vision encompasses the divisions among those who are tempted. Consequently, where the treacherous temptation arises, there lies a fissure in the earth that will engulf the slanderers (Deuteronomy 16:1-34).

Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves, saying, “If we claim it is from heaven, He will ask why we didn’t believe him. If we say it is from men, we fear the crowd, for everyone regards John as a true prophet.” They answered Jesus, “We do not know.” He then stated, “Neither will I inform you by what authority I do these things” (Matthew 21:23-27). Thus, as the prophet declared, “He shall be tested with temptation, and they shall be tried at His feet.” In another translation, He refers to the treacherous council and the chief priests and scribes who sought to test the Savior through various trials, aiming to concoct charges against Him to ensnare Him and bring about His death (Matt. 26:4). Yet, knowing their schemes, He subjected them to the examination of His righteousness, leading them to be condemned by their own sins (John 8:24).