GIVE BACK TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S

Luke 20:19-26 / Keywords 20:25

"Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

 

20:19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 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. 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, 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.

1. 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.”

 

2. 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