Matthew 22:15 ¶ Then went
the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16 And they sent out unto him their
disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and
teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for
thou regardest not the person of men. 17
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto
Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived
their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought
unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto
them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he
unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto
God the things that are God’s. 22 When
they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their
way.
The Pharisees, the religious conservative elite, want to trip
Christ up so that He can be lawfully taken out of circulation. The Herodians were
a pro-Herod and his dynasty political party. They seem be in concord with the
Pharisees in their wish for Jewish independence from Rome. Taking a piece of
money minted by the state and bearing Caesar’s image they attempt to trick
Christ into some seditious speech against Rome suggesting independence.
This obvious ruse doesn’t faze Christ in the least. This money
belongs to Caesar even though it is used in transactions. God separates the
things of this world from the things that He wants from His people as He
divides the spiritual Day from the Night even before the sun was created in
Genesis, chapter one. In chapter 17 He used supernatural methods to provide tax
money to pay to the Romans. “Render unto Caesar,” has become a phrase we use to
delineate the differences between our civic responsibility to the state, as in
government, and our religious responsibility toward God.
Notice how the Herodians call Him Master, as if they were
disciples of His. Master can mean teacher or Rabbi.
Malachi 2:12 The LORD will
cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the
tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
John 1:38 Then Jesus
turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said
unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest
thou?
Coming up, Jesus will say;
Matthew 23:8 But be not ye
called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
We know that all money, as all things, belong to God. But the
point being made here by Jesus is that He calls His people to spiritual things.
Don’t elevate the temporal to that level. In America, founded on the principle that the
people are king, it is our government that prints the money but the money is
ours to do with as we see fit. Still we are under laws of taxation which we
would do well to obey all the while fighting for a just tax system, which we
don’t have at the present. We give freely to support God’s work but we also
must understand that what He wants from us is more important than money.
Jesus amazed His questioners with His wisdom and careful speech.
There is another scene where Jesus denies that He is the civil authority.
Luke 12:13 ¶ And one of the
company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the
inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto
him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware
of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things
which he possesseth.
Jesus is not a revolutionary. He is confirming what the Father
wanted from His people all along. He is not in competition with a king or an
emperor. God’s authority over us and the king is absolute but we are called to
honor earthly rulers in their due. Read
Romans 13 to see our responsibility and the limitations of governmental
authority. Understand that our calling is greater than mere obedience to the
state.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and
the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
But when He returns He will assume control over all kingdoms and
nations.
Revelation 11:15 And the
seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The
kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ;
and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Remember though, for now;
John 18:36 Jesus answered,
My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would
my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my
kingdom not from hence.
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