Matthew 22:15-22 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.… Christ is not here defining two duties which stand in contrast or antithesis to each other. He is defining one duty, in its just relation to another and a higher duty out of which it grows. Recall the occasion of His words. Some one has brought to Him a penny, and asks Him whether it is lawful for a Jew to pay tribute to a Roman ruler. Says Christ in effect, "My brother, the penny itself has settled that question. It has, stamped upon it, an image or medallion which is Caesar's likeness. It is current here because this is Caesar's country; and you use it, whether you choose to own the fact or no, because you are Caesar's subject. Give Caesar, therefore, his due. Pay your taxes, obey the laws, honour the civil authorities; but that you may do so, begin by paying your taxes to God. The penny bears an image; so do you. The penny is from the mint of the emperor; you are from the mint of God. The use of the penny is determined by its likeness. So, too, your use is determined by your likeness. Every faculty in you, every gift, every grace and charm and power which is most characteristic and distinctive, is the stamp of the Divine. .You are God's child. .You bear His image. Render to Him your supreme and unceasing tribute; and in doing that, all other and minor questions will settle themselves. 'Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's,' do I say? Yes. But render them because, and in the inspiration, of that higher duty which bids you render unto God the things that are God's!" (Bishop H. C. Potter.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.WEB: Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. |
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