'They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to him to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him (Mk. 12:13-17).’
The Jews were under subjection to Rome and were required to pay a poll tax to Caesar in Roman coinage. The Pharisees and Herodians, fellow Jews, were asking Jesus about paying taxes to the Roman emperor in order to entrap him. The Herodians got their political power from the Roman empire so if Jesus said the tax should not be paid, he would be thought of as a revolutionary and be in trouble with the Romans. The Pharisees were against Roman occupation and paying the tax. If Jesus said the tax should be paid, he would appear to be in collaboration with the Romans and the Jews would turn against him. Their initial compliments to Jesus were intended to get a direct answer from him which made him at odds with one group or the other. The Denarius had the image of the emperor Tiberius on it, so Jesus’ answer was direct and accurate. However, by adding ‘repay to God what belongs to God’ he challenges the Jews to be obligated to God in at least the same way they are obligated to Caesar.
Almighty God, wisdom does not enter into a soul that plots evil. Grant us the spirit of wisdom that we may seek you in truth of heart and not be enticed by the folly of the wise of this world. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
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