Mark 12:13-17 7. TRIBUTE TO CAESAR Mark 12:13-17 (Matthew 22:15-22; Luke 20:20-26) 13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians,--The Pharisees counseled together how they might entangle him in his talk. Matthew (Matthew 22:15-16) says "They send to him their disciples, with the Herodians." The rulers did not go themselves, but sent with the Herodians some of their disciples. Luke (Luke 20:20) says: "Sent forth spies." The work of a detective whose purpose is to entangle a bad man in his speech for the sake of exposing him is not an enviable one; but to lay snares for a good man is diabolical. Yet this is exactly what the Pharisees deliberately took counsel to do. Here enemies meet in their common hatred of Jesus. that they might catch him in talk.--This was the work the spies were sent to do. The object was to ensnare or entrap him in his answer to their question in the next verse which they hoped he would answer yes or no. They thought that in his answer he must fatally involve himself in his relations either to the government or the people. They are trying him now in a way which they had never before attempted. Namely, by complimenting him until they induced him to utter sentences which they would almost suggest. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true,--They express the truth in a hypocritical compliment, not believed by them, but artfully said, as compliments often are, to conceal their true design. and carest not for any one;--That is, thou art an independent teacher, speaking your sentiments without regard to the fear or favor of man. This was true, and probably they believed this. for thou regardest not the person of men,--That is, you are not influenced by rank or position, not even by Caesar himself, in your decisions, but are perfectly impartial. but of a truth teachest the way of God:--The way of God was taught and mapped out for men to walk in without fear or favor--neither adding to nor taking from. Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar,--The family name of Julius Caesar, the first Roman emperor, and applied to his successors. The name "Caesar," after the time of Julius Caesar, became common to all the emperors, as Pharaoh was the common name of all the kings of Egypt. Now it is applied to the authorities of any civil government, national, state or city. or not?--They worded the question, as they thought, so he would be forced to reply "yes" or "no." They were anxious for him to answer in the negative for then they would "deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor" as a seditious person. (Luke 20:20.) 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give?--This completes the question. They thought they had brought him to a point where he would be forced to answer as a rebel against Caesar, or a traitor to God, whose Son he claimed to be. But in this, as in all other attempts to ensnare him, Jesus in few words put them to flight. But he, knowing their hypocrisy,--Being divine, Jesus had power to see and read their wicked thoughts, and therefore could not be deceived. This proves he was omniscient. No mere man has the power of discerning the motives of others. said unto them, Why make ye trial of me?--That is, why try to lead me into a snare by an insidious question? As deeply as they had laid their wicked plot, and cunningly as they had framed and put their question, they could not keep from knowing, from Jesus' first word of his reply, that he saw through it all--that he detected their evil design and their hypocrisy. bring me a denarius,--A penny, a Roman silver coin in circulation at that time worth about fifteen cents. Matthew (22 :19) says: "Show me the tribute money." The money in which the tribute was paid. The tribute for the temple service was paid in the Jewish shekel; that for the Roman government in foreign coin. that I may see it.--He now teaches an object lesson. He wishes them to see it with their natural eye as well as to hear it in words. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?--It is his time now to ask questions and expect replies. He is now putting them in the trap they set for him, and he does it with one simple question. And they said unto him, Caesar's.--They give the correct answer. Both the coin and the answer show they were submitting to Caesar's government, and enjoying his protection. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's,--Give to Caesar (the civil government under which you live) all that is due him--what rightfully belongs to him. If you are living under his domain and receiving his protection, pay the taxes he demands--pay him fully for protecting you, so long as you do not violate any divine obligation. Caesar's image and name on the piece of money proved that it was his. It was therefore proper and right to give it back to him, when he demanded it. The answer is general, and teaches that taxes are to be paid by the subject receiving protection. and unto God the things that are God's.--While paying tribute to Caesar do not forget that you are obligated to God also--that you must give to God what he claims. He must come first. Paul says: "Ye were bought with a price; glorify God therefore in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20.) He does not leave us to guess what belongs to God. The coin containing the image and superscription of Caesar belonged to Caesar; man is the coinage, and bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 9:6; Acts 17:29; James 3:9), especially the Christian man. Therefore the body and soul of the Christian belong to God and ought to be rendered unto him. During the World War when young Christian men asked me if it was right for them to go to war and take guns and slaughter their fellow men, I cited them to what the Lord said: "Thou shalt not kill," "do good for evil," and do to others as you would have them do to you. I said in this case, it is your duty to obey the Lord and leave the result with him. You ought to obey the powers that be, until they conflict with God's law. When they do, then "obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29.) The Christian's relation to human government is plain. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience's sake. (Romans 13:5.) Christians are to "pay tribute" to human government and "render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." (Romans 13:6-7.) The relationship of Christians to human governments is that of respectful submission, not of aggression. They must submit to "the powers that be." In no case are Christians justifiable in disobeying these powers, except only when civil governments require them to do that which God forbids, and forbid Christians doing that which God requires them to do. In such cases where human government or authority conflicts with God's authority, then, as Peter and John declare, we must obey God rather than men, or human authority, and take the consequences. (Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:29.) It matters not to the Christian whether a ruler is a good man or a bad man, the Christian is to respect and obey all who are in authority, with the exception or limitation which has been mentioned. Christians are to obey "for the Lord's sake." This is the best motive that can be had by any one. Loyalty to Christ calls upon us to respect human authority, which God has ordained. It matters not whether the government be a monarchy, kingdom, republic, or democracy; it is all the same to a Christian who is to submit to "the powers that be." Neither does it matter to the Christian whether the ruler is a tyrant, a wicked man, or a good man; respectful obedience is to he given to the ruler by all Christians "for the Lord's sake." We are not to obey rulers because they are good men, nor refuse to obey them because they are bad men; neither are we to obey a law because it meets with our approval or disobey it because it does not meet with our approval. Our attitude is to be that of respectful submission "for the Lord's sake." And they marvelled greatly at him.--They had been defeated in their attempt. His reply confounded both parties, and wholly prevented the use which they intended to make of it.