Matthew 22:15-21 Give to Caesar What is Caesar's (Gospel for Oct. 16, 2005)

(Gospel passage at the end of this article)

Observation:

There are two groups of people involved here and we should know their background:

- Pharisees – very strict followers of the Jewish law, and generally opposed Roman law, and therefore the paying of taxes to Caesar.

- Herodians – Jews of influence and high standing who were favorable toward Greek customs and were pro-Roman.

The Herodians, however, joined forces with the Pharisees in their opposition to Jesus, and conspired to trap him.

Interpretation:

The taxes were imposed by the Romans on its entire territory, and since Israel was a province, it was subjected to onerous taxes which were hated by the Jews. Jesus’ dilemma is that if he answers that one should pay taxes to Caesar, then he would be perceived as anti-poor and pro-Roman. If he answers in the negative, then he could be arrested for being a subversive. It was a trap.

Jesus deftly answers the question – he avoids the trap, and drives home a message.

He asks for the Roman coin that pays the taxes, which is handed to him by his interrogators. By doing this, Jesus demonstrates that he does not use the coin but the Pharisees and Herodians do. The use of the coin for their business transaction suggests that they recognize the authority of the imperial system, which they take advantage because of the healthy business climate it promotes. (An advantage of Roman rule during biblical times is the regulation of commercial laws and transport systems which is good for business).

Thus Jesus was saying: if you so readily acknowledge Caesar’s sovereignty when it is to your advantage, then you should also pay up when Caesar demands his taxes. Importantly, if you also recognize the authority of God, then you should also “pay up” what is due to God, which they have not done. In other words, they should worry less about what is due Caesar and pay more attention to giving God his due.[1]

Jesus was not advocating for a separation of Church and State, as is often the interpretation, or rather the misinterpretation, of this passage. Rather, he wanted to focus on what is primary, doing the works that is due to God.

Generalization:

I would generalize this meaning for our life today thus: Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Make God the ultimate goal, and all else as enabling you to reach that goal.

Go and seek a successful career, but not as an end in itself, but as a means to bring others closer to Jesus. Go and seek further studies abroad, but not as an end in itself, but to be a more effective disciple. Go and seek a life partner and raise a wonderful family, but not as an end in itself, but also to witness to others what it means to be a sacrament of God’s love.

Application:

- What are my goals in life?
- How do these goals relate to helping build God’s Kingdom?


Matthew 22:15-21
15 † Then the Pharisees † went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech.
16 They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, † saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status.
17 † Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
18 Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
19 † Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin.
20 He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”
21 They replied, “Caesar’s.” † At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

[1] John P. Meier. Matthew (Manila: St. Paul’s Publication, 1980) p. 252.