Topical Bible: Money: Image On

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In biblical times, the concept of money was closely tied to the authority and governance of the ruling powers, often represented by the images and inscriptions on coins. The presence of an image on money served as a symbol of political authority and economic control, reflecting the ruler's dominion over the region where the currency circulated.

Biblical References:

1. The Tribute to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26): One of the most notable references to money with an image in the Bible is found in the account of Jesus being questioned about paying taxes to Caesar. The Pharisees and Herodians sought to trap Jesus with a question about the legality of paying taxes to the Roman Emperor. Jesus asked them to show Him the coin used for the tax, and they brought Him a denarius. He inquired, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." Jesus then responded, "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:20-21). This passage highlights the distinction between earthly and divine authority, using the image on the coin as a teaching tool to illustrate the separation of civic duty and spiritual devotion.

2. The Widow's Offering (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4): While not directly addressing the image on money, the account of the widow's offering provides insight into the value and use of money in the temple. Jesus observed people putting money into the temple treasury and noted a poor widow who contributed two small coins. He remarked, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others" (Luke 21:3). The widow's offering, though monetarily small, was significant in the eyes of God, emphasizing the heart's intent over the physical currency, regardless of the image it bore.

3. The Coin in the Fish's Mouth (Matthew 17:24-27): In another instance, Jesus addressed the issue of paying the temple tax. When questioned about His payment of the tax, Jesus instructed Peter to catch a fish, in whose mouth he would find a coin sufficient to cover the tax for both of them. This miracle demonstrated Jesus' sovereignty over creation and His provision for earthly obligations, while subtly acknowledging the use of money with images for fulfilling civic responsibilities.

Historical Context:

Coins in the ancient world often bore the likeness of the reigning emperor or local ruler, serving as a tool for propaganda and a reminder of the ruler's power. The image and inscription on the coin were a declaration of the ruler's authority and a means of asserting control over the economy. In the Roman Empire, coins frequently featured the image of the emperor, reinforcing his divine status and political dominance.

Theological Implications:

The presence of an image on money in biblical narratives serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly authority compared to the eternal sovereignty of God. While money is necessary for conducting daily affairs and fulfilling civic duties, the teachings of Jesus emphasize the importance of prioritizing spiritual obligations and recognizing God's ultimate authority over all creation. The image on money, therefore, becomes a symbol of the transient nature of human power and the enduring call to render unto God what is rightfully His.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 22:20,21
And he said to them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Tribute Money
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 12:13-17 THE TRIBUTE
MONEY. ... And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 13-17 the tribute money.htm

The Body Does not Receive God's Image.
... has no means whereby to receive God's image, while the afore-mentioned image of
the body remains impressed upon it; except as in the case of the money which I ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 20 xiv the body does.htm

Whose Image and Superscription?
... To stamp his image on the coin is an act of sovereignty ... not, and it is too late to
ask questions about tribute when you pay your bills in his money.' 'Render to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/whose image and superscription.htm

About Discerning the Thoughts, with an Illustration from a Good ...
... so that we may, as the Lord's command bids us, become good money-changers, [1148 ...
but with a still shrewder skill to detect those which have the image of the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xx about discerning the.htm

The Emperor Julian Extracts Money from the Christians.
... Chapter XI."The Emperor Julian extracts Money from the Christians. ... to Fortune, goddess
of Constantinople, in the cathedral, [516] where her image was erected ...
/.../chapter xi the emperor julian extracts.htm

Concerning Festivals in Honour of Emperors, victories, and the ...
... Therefore, too, the Lord demanded that the money should be shown Him, and inquired
about the image, whose it was; and when He had heard it was C??sar's, said ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xv concerning festivals in honour.htm

On the Making of Man.
... gratitude due to your Reverence is greater than can be valued in money, and the ... truly
was created after God, and whose soul was fashioned in the image of Him ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the making of man.htm

John Chapter viii. 31-36
... you, "Render to C??sar the things that are C??sar's, and to God the things that are
God's," after your own reply, that the money-piece bore the image of C??sar ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xli john chapter viii.htm

Chapter xx.
... whose image the money bore which was brought forward by themselves; and because
they told what they had been asked, ie that the money bore the image of C??sar ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xx 2.htm

Augustin Returns to the Question, Whether Each Person of the ...
... Or if image and word are not the very same with power and wisdom, but the former
are ... who is a slave, and a horse that is a beast of burden, and money that is a ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 augustin returns to the.htm