GIVE BACK TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S

Passage: Luke 20:19-26

Key verse: Key Verse 25

NIV

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him(A) immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.(B)

Paying Taxes to Caesar(C)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(D) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(E) 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.(F) 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,(G) and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 (A)The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 (B)So they (C)watched him and sent spies, who (D)pretended to be sincere, that they might (E)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of (F)the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and (G)show no partiality,[a] but truly teach (H)the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give (I)tribute to (J)Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their (K)craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me (L)a denarius.[b] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then (M)render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people (N)to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
  2. Luke 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The religious leaders were offended by Jesus’ warning through the parable, but they couldn't arrest him right away because they were afraid of the people. They sent spies to trap him into doing or saying something that would get him in trouble with the Roman government. “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” If Jesus said yes, he would appear to support evil to the eyes of people. If Jesus said no, then he was inciting a riot against Rome. Jesus let them show him a denarius and asked them, “Whose image and inscription are on it?” They replied, “Caesars.” Then, Jesus said, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

Like the tenants in the parable, they did not want to give their due to anyone, either to the governing authority or to God. But Jesus said to them to give their due both to Rome and to God. As Caesar’s image and inscription were on a Roman coin, so we have God’s image in us. We have a basic duty toward God and to our country. However, duty to God supersedes duty to our country. Since

God’s people have a dual citizenship, they should not evade their duty to God, their Creator. We owe everything to God and must give him our love, obedience, and worship.

Prayer: Lord, help me love and worship you and live for your glory in my daily life while fulfilling my basic duty to my country.

One Word: Give to God; give to Caesar