The Jews had a problem with engraved coins. We don’t think anything of the image of George Washington on our quarters or Lincoln on our pennies. As a result, we may miss some of the depth of Jesus’ teaching on taxes.
Luke 20: 22 Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 He saw through their trickery and said, 24 “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
25 “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”[1]
Why No Engraved Images?
God had told His people that He was God and no other gods should exist besides Him. Idols often consisted of carved statues or images. Thus, God had prohibited this in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20: 4 You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. [2]
The Roman coin of the day had Caesar’s image stamped on it. The Romans considered the Caesars to be not only a king but also a god. Therefore, these coins were doubly repugnant to the Jews. There was an image of an idol and a false king. The Jews wanted to rule themselves and chaffed under the empire’s rule. Luke’s readers would have been aware of the excessive taxes levied on the people by Rome.
Accusers Become Accused
The Jewish leadership seems pious as they proclaim God as their first love. But they also seem to want to protect their money and see the question about taxes as a way to rid themselves of Jesus. They think they have the perfect way to entrap Jesus. If Jesus said to pay taxes, they would call Him a traitor to His religion. If He said don’t pay taxes, then Rome could prosecute Him.
Jesus turned everything on its head by asking them to show Him a coin. What were they doing with this blasphemous object on their person if they were so pious? By showing the coin, they convicted themselves of hypocrisy.
These accusers were not walking the talk. It is easy to point fingers at them, but do we often do the same? We want to look good to others, but are our actions consistent with our words? Jesus knows our hearts and desires for us to give to God what belongs to God. He will forgive and enable us to live in the way He desires.
To learn more about a problem with engraved coins, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-on-authority
[1,2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188