RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-11-12	Render To Caesar What Is Caesar's And To God What Is God's
		Mat 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. Mat 22:16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Mat 22:17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" Mat 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Mat 22:19 Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. Mat 22:20 And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" Mat 22:21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Mat 22:22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. The first thing to notice here are the two groups. That is the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Pharisees were very religious who followed strict oral tradition and the written Law of Moses. The Herodians were very non-religious. They were Jewish but supported the Roman policy of the dynasty of Herod. Pharisees and Herodians were on opposite ends of the political spectrum. What brought them together is their common hatred for Jesus. They both wanted to destroy Him. Here Jesus just returned to Jerusalem. It would be His final time during His ministry. The Pharisees and Herodians saw an opportunity to put Jesus on the spot in front of His disciples. So they asked a question, “what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v.17) Pay the tax, or do not pay the tax. The intent was for Jesus to answer this “no win” kind of question. There would be a consequence if He answered “yes” or “no”! If Jesus said “yes” the Pharisees would accuse Him of siding with the Romans against the Jewish nation. The thought was that Jesus would then lose the support of the crowds. If Jesus said, “no” the Herodians would accuse Jesus with treason against Rome. Their intent was to cause division among Jesus' followers. Jesus asked for someone to get a denarius coin as tax money (v.19). The denarius was a Roman coin that had an image of Caesar stamped upon it. Jesus asked them “Whose image and inscription is this?” (v.20). Everyone knew the image on the coin was of Caesar (v.21). The Jews considered the image on the coin a form of idolatry from the second commandment of the Law. So if Jesus says, “yes” to paying the tax, He would be seen as rejecting the Law. That would be another accusation the Jews would bring against Him. The situation seemed difficult. With the coin held in front of them for all to see Jesus gave His response to their question. “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (v.21) Jesus made a sharp distinction between two kingdoms. This answer completely deflated their evil intent. The two kingdoms were Caesars, which is the kingdom of this world, and Jesus' kingdom (Jn.18:36) Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Christians are part of both kingdoms. The one of this world (Caesar) and the one not of this world (Jesus). Under Caesar we have certain obligations that involve material things. Under Christ we have obligations that involve things that are eternal. If Caesar demands money, we give it to him. It is after all only mammon. But we as Christians must make sure we give to God the things He demands. We are to give our heart to God. We are to give our time to Him. When we do these spiritual things we render to God what is God's. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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