Matthew 22:15-22 NIV
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You arenʼt swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.”
They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesarʼs,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesarʼs, and to God what is Godʼs.”
When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I was young the phrase, "Render unto Caesar" was a phrase used in reference to paying taxes to the government. It was used quite often in a joking manner, as if to laugh it off, because you can't do anything about it. You got to pay the taxman. The popular phrase came from the King James Version.
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Matthew 22:21 KJV
What are the things that are God's?
The earth is the Lordʼs, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
Psalm 24:1 NIV
The Pharisees knew this, so when Jesus responded as He did, there was nothing they could say. They knew that all belongs to God. So Jesus effectively rendered their question mute. What does a religious leader say in response? If they contest Jesus' response they stand the chance of appearing to support taxes to Caesar and look like they are not fully committed to God.
But let's be pragmatic. Taxes to Rome were a burden on the people. Their corrupt system for collecting taxes made tax collectors wealthy, for they could charge whatever amount they desired from their neighbors, just so long as Rome got the required taxes. So the question was already a hot topic. For Jesus to say we should not pay taxes to Caesar, would have been spun as seditious and set Him at odds with Roman officials. If Jesus said that we should pay taxes, then His popularity with the crowd would be threatened, something the Pharisees and Herodians very much wanted.
Their ploy to discredit Jesus in some way through this thorny question backfired on them. Jesus made His opponents appear small minded and focused on worldly matters, rather than upon heavenly concerns. They simply walked away silent and scratching their heads. Surely they said to each other, "What just happened?" Clearly they just had their proverbial posteriors handed to them!
What's interesting is how they depicted Jesus with fake praise. They said they knew Jesus was a man of integrity, meaning He won't try and weasel out of answering the question. He'll say what He truly believes. They also said they acknowledged that Jesus taught truthfully the way of God. They perhaps are seeking to butter Him up with compliments. It didn't work. Jesus saw through their plot. In contrast to Jesus' integrity, the Pharisees and Herodians are not. What is truly in their hearts they are trying to hide. Jesus called them hypocrites, because they are pretending to honor Jesus, but truly seek His downfall.
They also said they knew Jesus would answer truthfully because He gives no special favor to men of power.
"You arenʼt swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are." (Mat 22:16b)
You can almost hear the passive aggressive insinuation dripping from the page! In a not so subtle way they are letting Jesus know He has not shown them or their colleagues the proper respect. If I had a transient pass through my church and start preaching to the congregation without clearing it with me, I would certainly challenge that person. So I feel for these men and their concerns. They fear Jesus is a false prophet misleading Israel and causing an unnecessary scene. The crowds Jesus attracts may attract the wrong kind of attention from the Roman military.
Jesus rebukes them for their obvious attempt to trap Him in a no win situation. He had them grab a Roman coin and asked whose name and image is on it. It's Caesar of course. Then Jesus raises the stakes by telling them to give Caesar his minted coins, but give to God what is rightfully His too.
We all have concerns about money. Jesus raises our sights and points heavenward. The basic message is to do what you must to satisfy those over you in this earth. Be peaceful. More than anything don't concern yourself so much with the things of this world. Instead be about the kingdom of heaven and serve God in all you do.
I end with a similar teaching from the apostle Paul.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
Here's to becoming heavenly minded and an earthly blessing.
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You arenʼt swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.”
They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesarʼs,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesarʼs, and to God what is Godʼs.”
When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I was young the phrase, "Render unto Caesar" was a phrase used in reference to paying taxes to the government. It was used quite often in a joking manner, as if to laugh it off, because you can't do anything about it. You got to pay the taxman. The popular phrase came from the King James Version.
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Matthew 22:21 KJV
What are the things that are God's?
The earth is the Lordʼs, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
Psalm 24:1 NIV
The Pharisees knew this, so when Jesus responded as He did, there was nothing they could say. They knew that all belongs to God. So Jesus effectively rendered their question mute. What does a religious leader say in response? If they contest Jesus' response they stand the chance of appearing to support taxes to Caesar and look like they are not fully committed to God.
But let's be pragmatic. Taxes to Rome were a burden on the people. Their corrupt system for collecting taxes made tax collectors wealthy, for they could charge whatever amount they desired from their neighbors, just so long as Rome got the required taxes. So the question was already a hot topic. For Jesus to say we should not pay taxes to Caesar, would have been spun as seditious and set Him at odds with Roman officials. If Jesus said that we should pay taxes, then His popularity with the crowd would be threatened, something the Pharisees and Herodians very much wanted.
Their ploy to discredit Jesus in some way through this thorny question backfired on them. Jesus made His opponents appear small minded and focused on worldly matters, rather than upon heavenly concerns. They simply walked away silent and scratching their heads. Surely they said to each other, "What just happened?" Clearly they just had their proverbial posteriors handed to them!
What's interesting is how they depicted Jesus with fake praise. They said they knew Jesus was a man of integrity, meaning He won't try and weasel out of answering the question. He'll say what He truly believes. They also said they acknowledged that Jesus taught truthfully the way of God. They perhaps are seeking to butter Him up with compliments. It didn't work. Jesus saw through their plot. In contrast to Jesus' integrity, the Pharisees and Herodians are not. What is truly in their hearts they are trying to hide. Jesus called them hypocrites, because they are pretending to honor Jesus, but truly seek His downfall.
They also said they knew Jesus would answer truthfully because He gives no special favor to men of power.
"You arenʼt swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are." (Mat 22:16b)
You can almost hear the passive aggressive insinuation dripping from the page! In a not so subtle way they are letting Jesus know He has not shown them or their colleagues the proper respect. If I had a transient pass through my church and start preaching to the congregation without clearing it with me, I would certainly challenge that person. So I feel for these men and their concerns. They fear Jesus is a false prophet misleading Israel and causing an unnecessary scene. The crowds Jesus attracts may attract the wrong kind of attention from the Roman military.
Jesus rebukes them for their obvious attempt to trap Him in a no win situation. He had them grab a Roman coin and asked whose name and image is on it. It's Caesar of course. Then Jesus raises the stakes by telling them to give Caesar his minted coins, but give to God what is rightfully His too.
We all have concerns about money. Jesus raises our sights and points heavenward. The basic message is to do what you must to satisfy those over you in this earth. Be peaceful. More than anything don't concern yourself so much with the things of this world. Instead be about the kingdom of heaven and serve God in all you do.
I end with a similar teaching from the apostle Paul.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NIV
Here's to becoming heavenly minded and an earthly blessing.
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