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“And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).
The Pharisees and the Herodians had asked the Lord Jesus what seemed like an impossible question: you may read it in Mark 12:13-17. No matter what He answered, they would be able to accuse Him. But as always, the Lord Jesus gave a wise answer, and one which also reached their consciences. They had asked whether they should pay tribute (taxes) to Caesar or not. If Jesus said yes, then they could ask Him how He could be the Messiah, and yet tell them to pay taxes to a foreign power. If He said no, then they could accuse Him of undermining the legitimate government of the land.
But the Lord Jesus told them to pay Caesar what was due to Him, and also reminded them to give God what was due to Him. Why were the Jews under Roman rule? It was because they had not given God what was due to Him. They had continually worshiped idols in the past, and God had allowed them to be carried into captivity for this reason. We too should give the government what is due to them, but remember to give God what is due to Him too.
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