How many of you like to pay taxes? Let me see a show of hands. I don’t see too many hands raised! There is probably a universal dislike of paying any type of tax, whether it is income tax, real estate tax, a sales tax, or any other type. No one likes having to pay it, and this dislike has been around for countless centuries. In the Gospels we read of a particular abhorrence for the tax collector. He was grouped in with some of the worst of sinners. In today’s Gospel reading we read of a trick question some of Jesus’s enemies asked that has to do with the paying of taxes. Let’s take a look, and see how Jesus responded.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus had been opposed by both of the religious groups of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They both tried to entrap Jesus in His words with trick questions, whereby they might have grounds to arrest Him, and possibly execute Him. As our passage opens, Jesus had finished telling several parables which the Pharisees felt were directed towards them, and they were definitely not happy. In order to get some more support, the Pharisees decided to join forces with the Herodians (vs. 15-16). The Herodians were a political party of the Jews who supported the Roman-backed Herodian dynasty. The Pharisees did not like them because of their support of Rome. The fact that both of these groups were working together to bring Jesus down showed just how much they hated and feared Him.
Representatives from both groups came up to the Lord Jesus, having decided on a question that they felt, no matter what way He answered, either group could ensnare Him. They decided to ask Jesus a question about taxes. Should the Jewish people have to pay taxes to Rome? (vs. 17). As we all know, no one likes paying taxes, even if they support and like their government. However, the Jewish people hated that they were under Roman rule, and paying taxes to Rome was even more odious to them. The particular tax that they were referring to here was a poll tax, taken annually, where each person was to pay a denarius. This money was then used to finance the occupying army, something the Jews hated as well. If Jesus answered “no”, the Herodians would charge Him with treason. If He answered “yes”, the Pharisees would accuse Him of disloyalty to the Jewish nation, and the people would look less favorably on Him, which they wanted to see happen.
These two groups could not out-smart the Lord Jesus. Being the second Person of the Trinity, He knew what was going on in their hearts and minds. He asked to see the coin that was used in payment. The denarius was equal to a day’s wage for a Roman soldier, and it had the image of Tiberius Caesar on it (vs. 19-21). Jesus answered that they were to give to Caesar what belongs to him, and to give to God what belongs to Him.
The Christian should give obedience to Caesar in Caesar’s realm. The things that are God’s are things that do not belong to Caesar, and should be given only to God. Jesus acknowledged Caesar’s right to assess and collect taxes, and Christians should pay them. The Roman government did bring some benefits with it. They built the best roads the world had ever known at that time. The standard of living went up a degree in countries under their rule, and the people were protected from foreign invasion.
As Christians, we have two citizenships. Our citizenship in the nation we live in requires that we pay money for the services and benefits we receive. Our citizenship in the kingdom of heaven requires that we pledge to God our primary obedience and commitment. We are to give the civil magistrates all that is due to them, as long as it does not interfere with the honor and obedience that is due to God.
The answer Jesus gave stumped both groups (vs. 22). They would not be able to use this against Jesus to bring Him down. It is also an answer for us, as we grumble about taxes and obedience to our own governments. Give to Caesar what belongs to him, and give to God what belongs to Him.
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