Mark 12:13-1713And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him. (Mark 12:13‑17)
The people of Israel were once a free nation, and had their own king many years. But they sinned so greatly that God let other nations conquer them, as He had said (Deut. 28:47,4847Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. (Deuteronomy 28:47‑48)). When the Lord Jesus was in the land, they were under the Romans, whose ruler was called Caesar, and tribute (tax) was paid to him.
Some were willing to pay tax, others were not, and men of each party came to ask Jesus if it were right to pay tax to Caesar. These men did not believe Jesus was from God; when they said He taught “the way of God in truth” they were not sincere, but spoke in flattery, because they wanted to tempt Him to speak against Caesar, so He would be punished.
But Jesus did not speak against Caesar. He told them to show Him a tax coin, which they did. Money in those days had the likeness and name of the ruler impressed on it, as it often has now. Jesus asked the men whose likeness and name were on the coin. They said, “Caesar’s.”
Then Jesus answered their question: He said,
“Render (pay) to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus did not free them from the burden their sins had brought, instead He told them to pay it, and they saw He had answered them wisely, for they knew they had not given God obedience and honor which was due Him.
If they had welcomed Jesus, the Son of God, as their King, they would have been free of all their burdens. But before He rules as King over all, sin must be punished.
Jesus came first to give His life to save the souls of all who will believe Him, and to call them from this world’s interests, since the rule of the Caesars, God has allowed many rulers in the countries, but the answer of the Lord Jesus to those men, has taught His people to pay whatever tribute or tax is asked. Much the same words were written to the early Christians:
In that same writing, it is told that all rulers, or “powers” are “ordained” or set by God, and the Christian is to respect them. But just before, in that writing, it is told the Christian owes himself to God, all that he is, to be for God (read Rom. 12).
It is not told when Christ will come as the Right Ruler over all, but this is one of the sure promises of God:
“Thus saith the Lord God; ... .I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him.” Ezekiel 21:26,2726Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:26‑27).
Pharisees: those who believed the laws given to Moses, but few of them lived in honor to God (Matt. 23:1-71Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (Matthew 23:1‑7)).
Herodians: those who were not as interested in God or His laws, as Herod, the ruler chosen by Caesar.
ML 05/28/1944