City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“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.”

-Luke 20:19-26 ESV

Reflection

The scribes and chief priests were so mad at Jesus confronting them that they wanted to silence Jesus right then and there. The scribes and chief priests described were the Pharisees and the Herodians; they hated each other but were willing to team up in the attempt to get Jesus out of their way. Under a façade of sincerity, which is hypocrisy (R.C. Sproul, 2007), they attempted to trap Jesus with a heads-I-win-tails-you-lose question. Whether the answer was “yes” or “no,” Jesus would be in big trouble, and the scribes and chief priests knew this.

The Jews were under subjugation to the Roman Empire and unfairly taxed, many did not pay, and the Pharisees were against the idea of paying taxes to Caesar. The denarius, a day’s worth of labor, had Tiberius Caesar’s image and the Latin inscription Tiberius Caesar divi Augusti filius Augustus,” which translated “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the divine Augustus.” Even speaking those words was considered blasphemy (hence the hesitance of the Pharisee and the shock of the crowd in the clip from The Chosen). The title “Augustus,” the august one, is one of transcendent majesty. It was a term the Jews would only use for God, and to call anyone else “august” would be an act of idolatry on the lips of the Jews. Not only this, but Caesar Augustus was called pontifex maximus, or “high priest.” The Caesars of the time positioned themselves not only as the supreme rulers, but as deities to promote emperor worship.

If Jesus said, “Yes, pay taxes to Caesar,” He would be accused of emperor worship and blasphemy. If He said “No, don’t pay taxes to Caesar,” He would have been arrested as a traitor to the Roman Empire. Jesus typically doesn’t use a human answer bank, He makes another answer entirely!

Jesus’ outside-of-the-box response is neither “yes” or “no,” but “give to Caesar what he requires, and give to God what He requires.” Respect government and revere God. Pay your taxes, even if you don’t agree with them, but remember, all you have, including your very being, ultimately belongs to God.

Application

Who are the Caesars in your life, the authority figures who make ungodly choices? It might be a boss, political leader, or even a family member. Whatever feelings you have toward them, pray for them. Pray they use their position for good. Pray they turn to God. And remember, you belong to the One True God.

Prayer

Dearest Jesus, thank You that You have made a way when there was no way and now I am Yours. I pray for the authority figures in my life, that they make godly choices and above all, choose You. In Your name I pray, amen.

Reference

Sproul, R. C. (2007, January 28). God and caesar, a sermon from R.C. Sproul: Listen to free sermons from R.C. Sproul at ligonier.org. Ligonier Ministries.