Both sides of the coin

Read > Luke 20:20-26

Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God (v. 25).

As a conquered people, the Jews were heavily taxed by the Romans. Some scholars estimated the total tax burden for the Jews was as high as 40 percentage of what they produced. Because these taxes financed the occupying Roman army, the taxes were hated by the Jews. The poll tax or tribute of one denarius (one day’s salary for a Roman soldier) was most hated because it was a shameful reminder that the Jews were an enslaved people. Just 2 decades earlier (AD 6-7), the Jews had rebelled against these taxes, but then faced crushing Roman retaliation.

Taxes were extremely unpopular and volatile in Jesus’ day. One of the most explosive questions was whether or not Jews should pay the Roman poll tax (Luke 20:22). If Jesus said no, He would be in trouble with the Romans (v. 20). But if He said yes, He would be in trouble with the Jews. It was a perfect trap!

The profile of Caesar with the inscription: “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of [the] Divine Augustus” on one side and the picture of the Roman goddess of peace, with an inscription “High Priest” on the other, was a religious dilemma for some Jews. Using such a coin was unlawful worship of graven images (Exodus 20:4; Leviticus 26:1). “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” Jesus asked. “Caesar’s,” they replied (Luke 20:24). “Well then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” (v. 25).

His point? Since the coin bore the image of Caesar, the coin should be given to Caesar. Likewise, since people bear the image of God (Genesis 1:26), they should give themselves to God. In moving from the political arena to the spiritual realm, Jesus spelt out how a believer who gives of himself to God will know what it takes to be a good citizen (Acts 4:19). – K. T. Sim

More >

·         Romans 13:1-8

·         Titus 3:1

·         1 Peter 2:13-17

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How do you apply Jesus’ statement: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” in situations where evil regimes persecute believers? How have you given yourself to God?