Paying Taxes to Caesar
20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
Observations & Reflections
Jesus taking over control of the Temple seems to have created more than just a sore spot with the religious leaders. They are now looking for a way of getting rid of Jesus permanently. This is why the Pharisees sent some Herodians with the “spies” to question Jesus. These Herodians would have been reporting back to Herod. Their goal was to catch Jesus teaching the people something against their Roman overlords. Taxes were a very sore subject as it was the one thing that really enforced the fact that the Jewish people were not free. In fact, when taxes were first imposed on the Jewish people there were revolts (6-7 CE). This coincided with a census which is likely the one recorded in Luke’s infancy narratives. It was known as the “Census of Quirinius”.
Thus, the Herodians would have really had some things to be worried about if Jesus was teaching against paying taxes, which could cause another revolt. This would be cause to try Jesus before the Romans. It should be clear at the this point that the Pharisees are going to pit the Romans against Jesus, because this is the only way to get rid of Jesus without it looking like they were the cause. If the people knew that it was the Pharisees that murdered Jesus that also could have caused a riot. However, Jesus was no simpleton. He knew what was going on.
| MATTHEW 22:15-22 | MARK 12:13-17 | LUKE 20:20-26 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.
16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. |
13 Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said.
14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” 16 And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him. |
20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.
21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”“Caesar’s,” they replied. 25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent. |
However, this will not be the last time the Pharisees attempt to get rid of Jesus by use of the Romans.