Luke 20:19-26
19 The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and yet they feared the people; for they were aware that He had spoken this parable against them.
20 And so they watched Him closely, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could hand Him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.
21 And the spies questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God on the basis of truth.
22 Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
23 But He saw through their trickery and said to them,
24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”
25 And He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
26 And they were unable to catch Him in a statement in the presence of the people; and they were amazed at His answer, and said nothing.
Pay to Caesar the Things that are Caesar’s
A question to trap Jesus
The scribes and the chief priests tried to seize Jesus. However, fearing a riot among the people, they planned to eliminate Him through the power of the Roman governor. They believed that if they raised the issue of taxes, they could surely trap Jesus. So, they sent spies to ask Him this question: “Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v 22). If Jesus had answered, “It is not permissible,” they could accuse Him before the Roman governor. If He had answered, “It is permissible,” He would completely lose the support of the people. Either answer would have brought unfavorable results for Jesus. However, Jesus displayed marvelous wisdom and destroyed the scheme of His enemies. Are you facing a difficult problem right now? If so, let’s seek wisdom from above. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Jesus’ answer
After confirming that a denarius bore the image of Caesar (Emperor Tiberius), Jesus answered, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (v 25). At that time in Palestine, several types of coins were in circulation – Roman coins, Greek coins, Tyrian coins, and Jewish coins. There was a law that Roman taxes had to be paid with Roman coins. Religious Jews tried to avoid carrying Roman coins as much as possible. When it became necessary, they would mint their own denarii and pay taxes to Rome. It was in such context, Jesus gave His answer: “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” We hold both earthly citizenship and heavenly citizenship. Our primary mission is to be obedient to God, yet we must not ignore our responsibilities toward earthly authorities. (Of course, earthly rulers have no right to intrude into the realm of God.) Obedience to God and obedience to earthly authority are not necessarily in conflict. As a Christian, have you been making an extra effort to live in accordance with the laws and rules of this world?
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You that my citizenship is in heaven. Please guide me so that, for the sake of revealing Your glory, I may keep the laws of this world even more faithfully than those who do not know You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.