Matthew 22
15 Then the Pharisees left and took counsel that they might entangle Him in words.
16 And they sent their disciples out to Him along with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that you are true, and that you teach the way of God in truth. Nor do you care for anyone, for you do not regard the person of men.
17 Therefore tell us; what do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why do you tempt Me, hypocrites?
19 Show Me the tribute money. And they brought a denarius to Him.
20 And He said to them, Whose image and inscription is this?
21 They said to Him, Caesar’s. Then He said to them, Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things which are God’s.
22 When they heard these words , they marveled, and they left Him and went away.
I read an article recently that brought up this passage, and the other two passages in Mark and Luke. (Matthew 22: 15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:19-26) It showed me a different way to look at this event. I wanted to share this with you.
Various people ask Jesus that famous question, hoping to trip up Jesus. “Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?” Jesus asks for a coin and asks them whose image is on it: Caesar’s. We all know the famous answer. “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things which are God’s.”
What exactly is Jesus saying? If the coin is in the image of Caesar, and we should render to Caesar the things that are his…..then what is made in the image of God and should be rendered unto God?
Genesis 1:27 And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him. He created them male and female.
We are made in His image, and we are to give ourselves to the Lord. Something to think about.