ANSWER AWES ANTAGONISTS
So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people; and amazed at His answer, they fell silent.
Luke 20:20-26 (See also Matt. 22:16–21; Mark 12:13–17)
According to the parallel passage in Mark’s gospel, this question was posed by a group of Pharisees and Herodians. These two groups were on opposite sides when it came to the occupying Romans. The Pharisees despised being under Rome’s authority whereas the Herodians backed Herod who was Rome’s puppet king. However, both opposed Jesus and united their efforts to bring Him down.
Mark 12:13 Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.
They shrewdly and deceptively tried to lull Jesus into a stupor with their flattery. They complimented His teaching as authentic and according to God’s way. They acknowledged that He did not give VIP treatment to people of stature in the community, nor did He shun those who were poor or looked down upon. However, these were not their sincere feelings toward Him, evidenced by the fact that they refused to be His followers. They were attempting to present themselves as honest seekers of wisdom and truth. These Pharisees and Herodians (supporters of Herod, Rome’s puppet king) asked Jesus a loaded question. If He answered that it was not lawful, He would be opposing Rome and guilty of breaking the civil law. If He answered that it was lawful, the Jews would see Him as breaking Jewish laws against graven images and worshipping false gods. Jesus realized that rather than honest seekers, these men were slithering snakes in the grass, waiting for the right moment to strike. Jesus asked them to show Him the Roman coin used to pay the tax which was a denarius worth one day’s wage for the common worker. He asked them whose image was engraved on the coin, and they rightly replied that is was Caesar’s picture. Then He gave the wise answer to give back to Caesar what was Caesar’s and to God what was God’s. The Roman coin belonged to Rome, to Caesar. Therefore, Jesus indicated they should pay their taxes to Rome. Jesus then pointed out that we should give to God what is God’s. The coin bore the image of Caesar, but we are made in the image of God.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Since we bear the image of God, we should commit all we have and all we are to the Lord. We pay our taxes to the civil government that God has authorized to provide things like roads, armies, and other needs of society. However, our greater tribute is due to the One who created us and sustains us. This is especially true for those of us who have trusted Jesus as our Savior.
Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
They had set out to entrap and embarrass Jesus in front of His followers and the large crowds who came to hear Him at the temple. However, their plot was foiled again. His answer awed, amazed, and silenced these Pharisees and Herodians!
Ponder this and apply it: Jesus did not speak out against paying the tax. However, He then pointed out that we should give God that which is due Him. Since God owns everything, we must realize we are only stewards of what we call “ours.” We should give generously of our time, talents, and money to the Lord’s work, and daily sacrifice ourselves to His service:
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.