Taxes to Caesar

2014

Matthew 22:15-22

NARRATOR: The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying,

PHARISEES: "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. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?"

NARRATOR: But Jesus, aware of their malice, said,

JESUS: "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax."

NARRATOR:  And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them,

JESUS: "Whose head is this, and whose title?"

NARRATOR: They answered,

PHARISEES:  "The emperor's."

NARRATOR: Then he said to them,

JESUS: "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."

NARRATOR: When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

BACKGROUND

·         The Pharisees were Jesus’ opponents throughout his ministry, seeking to undermine his popularity and question his authority. The Herodians were partisans of the puppet local rulers who had allied themselves closely with the Romans.

·         The opening verses are examples of the extreme flattery that is characteristic of “honor cultures.” Against their exaggerated deference, the Gospel contrasts Jesus’ abrasive candor. (Ched Myers, Binding the Strong Man, p. 311.)

·         The tax referred to was levied by the Romans on subject peoples and was greatly despised, especially by the Jews who regarded the coins as idols because they bore the image of the Emperor, and because of the written inscription hailing him as a god. An observant Jew could not even touch such an idolatrous object without spiritual contamination.

·         It is evident from the text that Jesus did not carry any of the offensive money on his person, yet he does not hesitate to point to it and to the image it bears. [ Question: Does he take it in his hand? My bet is that he does, thus indicating his authority over all earthly powers, but who knows?Jonathan+]

·         Jesus reply evades this attempt to discredit him…on the one hand with Jewish purists who hated Rome’s domination, and on the other hand with the Romans and their Jewish allies.

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