Matthew 22:15-21
The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
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. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.”
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”
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.”
BACKGROUNDER
The two groups who come after here Jesus here are fierce enemies of each other: the Pharisees were a small group who considered themselves a spiritual elite, emphasizing purity, and they completely avoided anyone considered impure, including all non-Jews. The Herodians were political collaborators with the Romans. Many Jews would have seen them as traitors, but they had a lot of power because the Romans found it useful to have Herod rule.
Coins were rare and issued in order for Caesar, the Roman Emperor, to impose control over his territory. Caesar demanded taxes to transfer wealth from his people back to Rome, for his personal benefit and to finance the running of the Roman Empire.
This really complex situation could be called power politics, the threat of the question: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus is keenly aware of the dilemma he faces. He doubles down on the question of loyalty. To whom is Jesus loyal?
Jesus acknowledges the legitimacy of the coin, as issued by the Emperor. He does not challenge the Empire directly, on its own terms. Jesus instead changes the whole conversation by mentioning God. Jesus makes the crucial point that in every situation loyalty to God comes first.
The disciples of Jesus need to know what to do as they will face difficult questions and complex situations. The most important thing will be loyalty to God. Christians are to be good citizens who promote the common good. But they are also going judge the political order by divine standards.
Those who are not Christians may ask themselves: where do my loyalties lie? Whom do I want to serve? The Bible tells us that we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1). We all belong to God – even Caesar belongs to God. And Jesus pays the ultimate price for his loyalty to God: on the cross he gives up his life when all of his enemies finally do him in.