RENDERING TO CAESAR AND GOD

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The Pharisees had suffered a terrible rebuke in the parable of 
      the wicked husbandmen.
      1. Jesus taught that a certain landowner had let his vineyard  
         out to vine dressers and went into a far country. Matt.     
         21:33-46
   B. Jesus spoke this parable against the Jews, especially against  
      the Jewish rulers.
      1. God had sent the prophets, and they had beat, killed, and
         stoned them.
      2. God sent His Son and they would kill Him also.
   C. The Pharisees recognized that Jesus was speaking the parable
      against them.
      1. Because of fear of the multitude, they sought to destroy Him
         by other means.
      2. This introduces our text for today - Matt. 22:15-22

I. THEIR EFFORTS TO ENTANGLE JESUS IN HIS TALK.
   A. They did not feel capable of meeting the Lord in fair and open
      discussion, so they sought to entangle Him in His talk.
      1. The word "entangle" means literally, "to ensnare or entrap."
      2. This is a gross evil on the part of the Pharisees. They     
         wanted to entrap Jesus in His talk because they hated Him   
         and wanted to destroy Him.
      3. Instead, they should have been listening to, and obeying,   
         His teaching.
   B. They sent to Him their disciples, with the Herodians.
      1. These leaders of the Pharisees were afraid Jesus would
         recognize them, so they sent some of their disciples.
         a. These are young men who could pretend to be troubled
            with the question of paying tribute to Caesar.
         b. Luke says they were "spies who pretended to be
            righteous." Luke 20:20
      2. The Herodians were a sect of Jews who agreed largely with
         the Sadducees on religious questions, but who accepted the
         rule of Rome through the Herods.
         a. Herod was an Igumean and remotely related to the
            Jews.
         b. The Herodians were willing to accept an Idumean rather
            than one of the tribe of Judah as their ruler in order to
            have some semblance of self-government.
         c. They would sacrifice principle for power.
      3. It should be noticed, too, that the Pharisees and the
         Herodians were enemies on both religious and political
         questions.
         a. However, they are willing, for a time, to bury their
            enmity and team up to destroy the One who they
            recognized as a common enemy.
   C. Listen to the words of these men:
      1. "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way
         of God in truth..."
         a. This committee of young men started their entrapment
            by using flattery - by hypocritically complimenting      
            Jesus.
         b. What they said was true, but they did not believe it.
         c. Contrast Nicodemus who made a similar statement with
            sincerity. John 3:2
      2. They added, "...Nor do You care about anyone, for You
         do not regard the person of men."
         a. Again, this is more flattery to disguise themselves, and
            to make their entrapment more effective.
         b. And again, what they said is absolutely true.
            (1) Jesus treated all men alike. He exposed the sins of
                the leaders as well as those of the common people.
            (2) The fact that Jesus did not show favoritism to the
                religious leaders was why they hated Him.
   D. Their question was, "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is
      it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" Vs. 17
      1. This is the question the Pharisees and Herodians sent these
         young disciples to ask Jesus.
      2. They thought the question presented a dilemma for Jesus.
         They thought He could not answer it without doing Himself
         much harm.
         a. If Jesus said, "Yes, it is lawful to give to Caesar," He
            would alienate the larger portion of the Jewish
            population, who hated to pay tribute to Rome.
         b. If He said, "No, it is not lawful to give tribute to
            Caesar," He would be prosecuted by the Herodians for
            promoting seditious views and stirring up dissension.
            (1) This is one of their false accusations against Jesus
                at His crucifixion. Luke 23:2-5
      3. Thus, the Pharisees expected, with the help of the          
         Herodians, to destroy Jesus regardless of how he answered   
         the question.

II. JESUS' REPLY TO THEIR QUESTION.
   A. Jesus perceived their wickedness. Vs. 18
      1. On other occasions Jesus revealed the thoughts of men's
         hearts.
         a. This shows His Divinity.
      2. One can never deceive God.
   B. Jesus said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?"
      1. Jesus was not quite as diplomatic in His approach as they
         were.
      2. He revealed their true character in terms which all could
         understand.
         a. Perhaps at times we put too much emphasis on
            diplomacy.
         b. For example, when someone asks, "Are you the ones
            who believe that only those of the church of Christ will
            be saved?" a good reply is, "Yes, and not all of them
            will be saved." Matt. 22:14
   C. Jesus said, "Show Me the tax money," and when they brought
      Him a denarius, He asked, "Whose image and inscription is
      this?" Vs. 19-20
      1. The image, of course, was the picture of the ruler, who at
         that time was Tiberius (Luke 3:1-2) and the inscription when
         translated, read, "Tiberius Caesar, the August son of the
         divine Agugustus."
   D. Jesus' reply was, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that
      are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
      1. His reply satisfied both sides.
         a. The part of the answer, "Render to Caesar the things
            that are Caesar's" satisfied the demands of the
            Herodians.
            (1) They could not prosecute Him for making such a
                statement.
            (2) They simply were not concerned about rendering
                anything to God.
         b. Everyone understood, especially the Pharisees, that one
            should render service to God.
            (1) They could not object to the part about rendering
                to Caesar because they were using coins made by
                Caesar. The coin was proof that they were
                governed by the Romans.
            (2) The Romans were responsible for maintaining law
                and order and it was only right that the Jews
                should pay tribute to them.
   E. They were unable to respond to Jesus' answer. As a matter of
      fact, they were amazed at the Lord's answer. Vs. 22
      1. Jesus had on many occasions so effectively answered their
         questions that, after this encounter, they were afraid to
         question Him anymore. Vs. 46

III. JESUS GIVES A DIVINE COMMAND FOR ALL PEOPLES. 
   A. Not only did Jesus give a favorable answer for all present at  
      that time, but He laid down a principle that applies to all    
      peoples of all generations.
      1. Jesus laid down the principle of being in subjection to
         government.
         a. Those commissioned by Him taught the same. Rom.
            13:1-7
         b. Christianity is not an enemy to civil government, but a
            friend to it.
         c. Christ's kingdom does not clash or interfere with the
            kingdoms of the earth.
         d. Jesus did not teach the Jews to rebel and throw off the
            yoke of Rome.
            (1) The Pharisees needed but little encouragement to
                rebel against Rome and make an effort to become
                an independent nation again.
            (2) These principles also apply in our time. There was
                a cartoon some time ago of a picture of a priest
                leading a band of folks who had clubs and rocks in
                their hands as they marched toward the courthouse
                with a caption which said, "The pure and undefiled
                religion!"
      2. The other great principle that the Lord gave is that we
         should render to God the things that are God's.
         a. We must love God with our whole being. Mark 12:30
            (1) God must have the innermost and uppermost place
                in our hearts and lives. 
            (2) We must render to God that which is due Him, the
                firstfruits of our time, money, energy, and talents.
         b. Christians have a dual citizenship. Phil. 3:20
            (1) Our citizenship is the nation in which we live
                which requires that we pay taxes for the services
                and benefits we receive.
            (2) Our citizenship in the kingdom of heaven requires
                that we render to God our primary obedience and
                commitment.
                (a) We seek first the kingdom of God.
                (b) If, at any time, Caesar's commands interfere
                    with God's commands, we obey God rather
                    than man. Acts 5:29

Concl.
   A. The question which Jesus' enemies thought could not possibly be
      answered turned out to be satisfactory to both sides.
   B. The question which His enemies thought would be His
      destruction proved to raise Him in the estimation of the common
      people.
      1. The Herodians were pleased to hear Him say, "Render to
         Caesar the things that are Caesar's" and the Pharisees were
         pleased to hear Him say, "Render to God the things that are
         God's."
   C. And, more than all this, it gives us principles by which to    
      live.
      1. In following it, in most cases men will have the promise of 
         a quite and peaceful life on earth, but more importantly,   
         they will have eternal life.
         a. This is God's will for us. Rom. 2:6-7