Knowing The Word in Luke 20:19-26

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20:19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

Comments

The Pharisees wanted to discredit Jesus and trap him in a statement so that the Roman authorities would step in and do their dirty work, passing to the Romans the blame that the people would otherwise put on them. Turning to dishonest flattery, the asked Jesus a questions about taxes. No one liked paying taxes, especially to the Romans. Tribute was a person tax, not one levied on goods. By asking if the tax is lawful, they mean in accordance with God’s law, not Roman law. However Jesus answered, they expect him to be in trouble—either with the Jews or the Romans. The denarius was a Roman silver coin that had the effigy of the Emperor Tiberius stamped on it. When Jesus said to render both to Caesar and God, he was saying we are citizens of heaven and earth at the same time. We can neglect neither loyalty. The state must be respected and its directions complied with in the sphere that God allots it. The state rightly collects taxes to function and the people do receive benefits in exchange. But Caesar’s rights were limited. He had no rights in God’s domain. Our highest loyalty is to God. Astonished, the Pharisees were reduced to silence.

Application

Do you give more financially to God of your own free will or to the state in compliance with local, state, and federal tax law? Ponder that question, thinking about your citizenship.

Prayer

Father, in your graciousness and generosity, you gave us your Son, who ransomed us that our citizenship will always be in your kingdom. Grow grateful and generous hearts in us, that we may live first for him and the eternal kingdom of God above all things that are temporal and passing away.