GIVE TO CAESAR WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR

 ‘GIVE TO CAESAR WHAT BELONGS TO CAESAR – AND TO GOD WHAT BELONGS TO GOD’

The response of Jesus Christ to the trap of the Pharisees shows us that, while we cannot cut ourselves off from the affairs of the world, we should never compromise our beliefs and values.

MATTHEW 22:15-21

15 The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, ‘Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. 17 Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ 18 But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, ‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? 19 Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’ They handed him a denarius, 20 and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ 21 ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.’

In this Gospel according to Matthew, we continue to hear of incidents during the ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem in the time leading up to his death and resurrection. There is an atmosphere of foreboding. There are plots to trap Jesus Christ in order to bring charges against him. Jesus Christ repeatedly reprimands the Jewish leaders for their unwillingness to listen to him.

THE QUESTION

The Pharisees attempt to ‘trap Jesus Christ in what he said’. The issue is that of the rightness of paying taxes. Palestine was under the rule of the Roman Empire. Was it right to pay taxes to this pagan power machine? 

THE RESPONSE OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ throws the question back to the questioners. He knows that the intention is to catch him out and does not engage in any debate. The response of Jesus Christ is: ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.’ 

IMPLICATION OF THE ANSWER OF JESUS CHRIST TO CHRISTIANS TODAY

As Christians, we cannot cut ourselves off from the affairs of the world, but we should never compromise our beliefs and values. Our decisions and our loyalties must be decided by what furthers the ‘common good’.

THE FULL GIST

“Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar” is a well-known quote that appears in Matthew 22:21 and is part of the response of Jesus Christ to a joint attempt by the Herodians and Pharisees to make Jesus Christ stumble in front of His own people.

The Herodians were a non-religious Jewish party who supported the dynasty of Herod and the general policy of the Roman government. They believe that the pure and spiritual teaching and influence of Jesus Christ were antagonistic to their interests. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were members of an ancient Jewish sect who believed in the strict observance of oral traditions and the written Law of Moses. They did not believe that Christ was the Messiah, despite His many miracles during His earthly ministry. Although Herodians and Pharisees were at opposite ends of the political spectrum, their common hatred of Christ Jesus was enough for them to join forces to try to destroy Him.

This is the context in which Jesus Christ makes the statement to “render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar”. Remember that, in Matthew 22, Jesus had just returned to Jerusalem for the final time and recently finished sharing several parables with the crowd. His enemies saw an opportunity to put him on the spot in front of His followers. In verse 17, they say to Him, “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”  It was a trick question, and they knew it. If Jesus answered, “No,” the Herodians would charge Him with treason against Rome. If He said, “Yes,” the Pharisees would accuse Him of disloyalty to the Jewish nation, and He would lose the support of the crowds. To pay taxes or not to pay taxes? The question was designed as a Catch.

The response of Jesus is nothing short of brilliant: “But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius” (Matthew 22:18–19).

The denarius was a coin used as the tax money at the time. It was made of silver and featured an image of the emperor with an inscription calling him “divine.” The Jews considered such images idolatry, forbidden by the second commandment. This was another reason why, if Jesus answered, “Yes,” He would be in trouble. His acceptance of the tax as “lawful” could have been seen as a rejection of the second commandment, thus casting doubt on His claim to be the Son of God.

With the coin displayed in front of them, Jesus said, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” The Herodians and Pharisees, stating the obvious, said, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus brought an end to their foolish tricks: “Therefore render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and to God the things that belong to God” (Matthew 22:21). Upon hearing this, the enemies of Jesus marveled and went away (Matthew 22:22).

When Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar,” He was drawing a sharp distinction between two kingdoms. There is a kingdom of this world, and Caesar holds power over it. But there is another kingdom, not of this world, and Jesus Christ is King of that kingdom (John 18:36). Christians are part of both kingdoms, at least temporarily. Under Caesar, we have certain obligations that involve material things. Under Christ, we have other obligations that involve things eternal. If Caesar demands money, give it to him; it is only mammon. But make sure you also give God what He demands.

WHAT DO WE RENDER TO CAESER AND WHAT DO WE RENDER TO GOD

Rendering to God what belongs to God means that we should love the Lord God with our whole heart and mind and body. It means, presenting ourselves as unblemished sacrifice to God. We must reject the standard of this world, where stealing is given a justifiable name, abortion, homosexuality, fornication are seen are moral actions.

Rendering to Caesar what belongs to him means that we have to obey the authority of the Government of the land and carry out our civic responsibilities. It does not mean visiting shrines, going to rivers to make sacrifices, prepare charms for protection, buying good luck charms and fetish activities in the hands of native doctors, witches and wizards and ‘ndi amuma’. 

© Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa

August 11 2023