Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:15-22; 34-46
The Pharisees, on those last days in the temple, were in continual and bitter controversy with Jesus. They sought to trouble Him, to ensnare or entangle Him in His talk. We may be glad, however, for the questions they asked, because they drew from Him great utterances which are of priceless value to us.
First, they took counsel together and prepared a question which they thought would entrap Him whichever way He answered it. They began by praising His sincerity and truthfulness, as if to flatter Him. Then they asked, “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” They thought He could not possibly avoid being ensnared. If He should answer Yes, He would be denounced as lacking in patriotism. If He should answer No, He would be denounced as disloyal to Rome. But He was not ensnared by their question. He knows men’s thoughts. He knew their hypocrisy and falseness, and easily baffled them. His answer lays down a great principle. “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” the use of the coinage of Caesar by the people was an admission of his sovereignty. But there was something higher than that. God was over all, and no duty to Him must be neglected. They must be good citizens of Rome, but there was a higher citizenship, and they must also be good citizens of heaven.
Page 1