The Things of Caesar and the Things of God

As Jesus continues to denounce Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, some Pharisees plot how they can trick Jesus into denouncing powerful Roman leaders, thus endangeing himself. So Pharisee leaders–ruling rabbis–decide to send some of their disciples, as well as some Herodians (Roman loyalists), to Jesus. They address him as “teacher” (rabbi), and assure him they know he is true, and teaches the way of God, and is not afraid of powerful men. After such flattery, they pose their (trick) question: So what do you think about paying taxes to Caesar? They want Jesus to denounce the highest Roman leader–the emperor, Caesar (Matthew 22:15-17).

Jesus knows their evil intentions and asks them why they are testing him. He calls them hypocrites (actors, pretending to honor him as a bold and truthful teacher). He knows they want him to denounce Caesar’s taxes; then the Romans can silence him. So he asks them to show him the coin used to pay the tax (to Caesar). Jesus has no such coin, but knows that the pro-Roman Herodians have plenty of those coins. When they bring him a Roman “denarius,” he asks them whose image (face) and writing are on it. They answer “Caesar;” and the writing on it were the words: “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus.” Jesus replies that they should give (back) to Caesar the things of Caesar, but give to God the things of God. This answer amazed them, and they left him, having failed in their plot (Mat. 22:18-22).

Jesus clearly distinguishes between the so-called “divine Augustus” and the one true God. And the things of Caesar are specifically the (idolatrous) coins used to pay the Roman tax. The glorified Caesars are not God, and their coins are not the things of God. Why would any faithful Jew–who confesses only one God–want to keep such coins? If Caesar wants them back (to pay his tax), by all means give them back. Most Jews hated this tax, but they should especially hate this thing (coin) of Caesar and get rid of it; give it back to Caesar.

The things of God, in contrast, would be the things that glorify God. In Mat. 21:41, Jesus’ parable speaks of giving the landlord (God) the fruits due him. In the parable, the tenants (Jewish rulers) refused to give those fruits (the things of God) despite the servants (prophets) and finally the son (Jesus) God sent to them; they refused to give the things God requested. Jesus has come to Israel and announced God’s new kingdom; he has taught them to glorify God–giving him true worship–by the good works (the fruits of righteousness) of this new kingdom (introduced back in Mat. 5:1-16, and emphasized in the rest of Matthew).