When asked about paying taxes to the Roman government, Jesus responded by saying, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21, KJV). What did He mean? And what lessons does this teaching represent for us today?
On what was probably Tuesday or Wednesday of the week leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus was confronted by a group of Pharisees and Herodians and asked a question about one of the most controversial issues of the day.
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
Matthew 22, KJV
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.
There are three lessons I immediately see from this passage which are applicable to us today. They are:
- Awareness
- Altitude
- Attitude
Yes, I’m a Baptist preacher, so I enjoy employing acrostics and alliteration – when I can.
Let’s examine each of these…
Awareness
Jesus knew what was up with the Herodians and Pharisees. In verse 18, Matthew tells us that Jesus “perceived their wickedness,” called them “hypocrites,” and in a tone of rebuke, publicly challenged them to explain why they were tempting him.
When confronted with a challenge, including (and perhaps especially) when people attack us or try to “trap” us (as the Herodians and Pharisees in Matthew 22 were trying to do with Jesus), it’s important that we have the awareness to know what’s going on.
Too often, we react emotionally rather than respond thoughtfully.
Awareness begins with a strong prayer life and a sensitivity to the spiritual aspects of life. We are, as Paul tells us, engaged in spiritual warfare, wrestling “not against flesh and blood,” but rather against Satan and his forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).
It’s important that we understand the Enemy will use circumstances and people to trip us up, slow us down, discourage us, or defeat us.
We must also be aware of the people around us and the context in which we live and operate.
This is what Jesus was getting at when He said to His disciples: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
This need for awareness is also bolstered by repeated biblical admonitions toward wisdom and discernment in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
In Jesus’ case, He knew that, while the Pharisees and Herodians had little in common, one of the things they did have in common was they saw Him as a threat. As the old saying goes: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
To be clear, the Herodians and Pharisees were cultural and political enemies. The Pharisees were strict adherents of Jewish laws and traditions, and bristled at both the Herodian dynasty as well as Roman occupation.
The Herodians were members or supporters of King Herod’s family and dynasty. Herod was of course not a Jew, but an Edomite who owed his rule to Rome. He was a merciless, wicked, and paranoid king responsible for great suffering in the kingdom. And while Herod himself was dead by the time of Jesus, his descendants still ruled the region. The Herodians were those Jews aligned with Herod’s family and who compromised and curried favor with Rome and were tied to and benefited from the political, social, and economic interests of the region.
This is why Jesus called them “hypocrites.” They were casting aside their principles in order to gang up on Him.
Jesus was also aware that a straightforward “yes” or “no” answer to their question would simply play into their hands. If He affirmed paying taxes to Caesar, then He would lose favor with the people and be associated with their Roman occupiers and the corrupt Herodians. On the other hand, if He said “no,” He would be subject to arrest by Roman authorities for sedition.
Quite often, Christians find themselves in similar no-win dilemmas today – in politics, in business, on social media, at family gatherings, and in everyday conversations.
Like Jesus, we need to strive to RISE ABOVE the fray, and this leads us to the second lesson…
Altitude
Jesus’ answer lifts the very nature of the conversation to a whole new level.
He doesn’t play their game. He refuses to answer on their terms. He refuses to let Himself be a pawn on their board or to easily play into their trap.
Note that the Pharisees and Herodians initiate this conversation. They do so with a challenge. Jesus responds by calling them out as “hypocrites” and making clear He know what they’re up to by asking why they are tempting Him. And then….
Jesus establishes Himself as the leader in this exchange by getting them to respond to His question — a question that was obviously rhetorical, since Jesus (even in His incarnate humanity) would have known Roman coinage bears the image of the Roman emperor.
Getting them to say “Caesar” also sets up the statement that Jesus wants to make. They are now responding to Him and waiting on His answer. What’s more, they have now said the name “Caesar” themselves, which trained teachers and public speakers know, will further “impact” what Jesus will say.
When a teacher, speaker, counselor, or coach echoes back the same words used by the student or listener, it sharpens the connection and primes the brain for deeper learning.
Jesus then delivers His lesson: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21, KJV)
Here are Jesus’ words in a more contemporary English translation: “Well, then,’ he said, ‘give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.‘” (Matthew 22:21, NLT)
Note: In both of the above references, I’m only quoting the part of the verse containing Jesus’ answer.
In case you’re missing my point about mirroring back words for greater impact, had the Pharisees and Herodians said “Tiberius” (who was the Roman Emperor at the time), Jesus would have almost certainly said, “Give to Tiberius what belongs to Tiberius and give to God what belongs to God.”
Jesus was (I should say “is,” since He is very much alive) the Master Teacher. Looking through the Gospels, we can learn a great deal of how Jesus connected with His audiences — and how we can learn a thing or two from His example.
Jesus’ answer worked, because rather than score a victory, His accusers “marvelled, and left him, and went their way.” (Matthew 22:22).
Your goal in human interaction, especially when you feel cornered or trapped, should be to provoke thought. Leave your readers or listeners with something to think on, to mull over, to reflect on. Jesus did this routinely and masterfully.
Most importantly, by answering them at a higher level, Jesus transformed an attempt to trap Him into a teaching point that has stood for 2000 years as part of recorded Scripture.
He took a question about taxes and answered with a principle much broader in scope.
And that leads us to the final lesson, which is from the teaching itself.
Attitude
Jesus tells us the exact ATTITUDE we’re supposed to have when it comes to our interactions with civil authorities.
It’s the same attitude we should have when it comes to our interaction with God. It’s just that God’s scope is so much greater than anything on this earth and in this life.
But before we get to what we owe God (spoiler: everything), let’s look at what we owe Caesar.
If you buy a house, you can’t get mad when the mortgage comes due. You need to honor that mortgage. Same with buying a car. You need to pay for that car – either with one big check or with payments over time.
If you go to work for XYZ, Inc, you need to work the hours you agreed to work, fulfill the duties you agreed to take on, and cooperate with company management.
Likewise, if a first century citizen of Jerusalem chose to remain living in Jerusalem, and thus take advantage of all the benefits and privileges of living under the governing structure of that day, then such a citizen — to be consistent with his choice — shouldn’t begrudge paying taxes or cooperating with the civil authorities.
This is what Peter is getting at when he says we should “submit to every ordinance of man” (I Peter 2:13) and “honor the king” (I Peter 2:17). It’s what Paul means when he tells us to “subject unto the higher powers” (Romans 13:1), and “pay tribute.” (Romans 13:6)
Paul really drives it home when he writes: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Romans 13:7, KJV)
Jesus, Peter, and Paul would all agree with the following statement…
If you’re going to live under Roman rule, then willingly cooperate with Roman laws, taxes, and customs.
The only times we’re allowed or expected to disobey or rebel against civil authorities is when God tells us to do so (Exodus 1-2, Acts 5:29, Daniel 2:21, Daniel 3, Daniel 6).
Civil government plays a role in this fallen world, and we as God’s people are expected to cooperate with that role.
As I write this, I am sitting in my office in my home in Ashburn, Virginia. My kids attend public schools. I am protected and served by the local police and fire departments. If a medical emergency happened in my home, I can call 911, and an ambulance would come my way. The roads I drive on are maintained at taxpayer expense. The country in which I live is protected by an intelligence network, by national security measures, and by the men and women of our armed forces. I can go on.
The fact is, I live in a stable, peaceful, family-friendly community in the freest, most prosperous nation in world history. It’s not too much to ask that I be a respectful, tax-paying, law-abiding citizen.
I realize the United States isn’t perfect, and frankly I believe God did call upon many of His followers to engage in civil disobedience during some of the civil rights struggles in our nation’s history. But, as a general rule…
We should cooperate willingly — with an attitude of giving — with the society in which we live. That is Jesus’ lesson in Matthew 22:21.
Of course, Jesus doesn’t leave it there. He doesn’t stop with Caesar. He adds that we should “give to God what belongs to God.” Well, what belongs to God?
Answer: Everything
God is sovereign over this entire universe. Everything is under His authority and power. And that includes you and me.
Caesar Tiberius had his image inscribed on Roman coinage to assert his authority over the Roman economy. When anyone transacted business in Rome, it was a reminder that they were conducting business in Caesar’s empire. (Caesar was the state).
Well, whose inscription is on us?
Answer: God Himself
We are made in the image of God, and therefore we are God’s.
God owns this entire cosmos, and He owns Heaven. And He owns you and me. He owns everyone and everything, and He is entitled to everyone and everything.
There are some things to which Caesar is not entitled — like, for example, worship. But God is entitled to everything.
We owe Him our gratitude, our full allegiance, and our very lives.
By giving these things to Him willingly, we show Him our love, since giving is the currency of love.
And this is the crux of the lesson.
Whatever life may throw at us — whenever enemies may come against us — we must always remember that we are here to serve Him. And everything we do or say should be to advance His kingdom and to bring honor and glory to Him.
He alone is worthy of all that we have.
God bless you.
