Church and State

¹³ Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which He could be arrested. ¹⁴ “Teacher,” they said, “We know how honest You are. You are impartial and do not play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us — is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? ¹⁵ Should we pay them, or should we not?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap Me? Show Me a Roman coin, and I will tell you.” ¹⁶ When they handed it to Him, He asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. ¹⁷ “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them. Mark 12:13-17 (NLT)

During Jesus’ public ministry, Jewish religious and political leaders often plotted against Jesus to trick and trap Him to discredit His ministry and to arrest Him (e.g., see Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:6; Mark 11:27; John 5:18; John 11:53). The religious and political leaders continued their entrapment attempts during Holy (Passion) Week – week of Jesus’ arrest, suffering, sacrificial death, and resurrection to bring world salvation (Mark 12:13; see also Matthew 22:15; Luke 20:20). According to Luke’s Gospel, these religious and political leaders were spies and they pretended to be honest men, but they were hypocrites (Luke 20:20; see also Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). These men tried “to catch Jesus in His words” to expose Jesus as a false teacher and report Him to the Roman governor so He would be arrested (Luke 20:20).

On one occasion, the religious and political leaders said to Jesus, “we know You tell the truth no matter what! You are not influenced by the opinions and desires of men, but sincerely teach the ways of God. Now tell us, is it right to pay taxes to Rome, or not?” (Mark 12:14, TLB; see also Matthew 22:16-17; Luke 20:21-22). These religious and political leaders were Pharisees and Herodians, and they wanted to entrap Jesus about the oppressive Roman taxation. The Pharisees, a Jewish religious group, bitterly opposed the Roman occupation of Israel. The Herodians, a Jewish political party, supported Roman rule over Israel and Herod Antipas. Normally, the Pharisees and Herodians were bitter enemies, but here they form an unlikely alliance against Jesus. If Jesus gave a positive view of the Roman taxation system, then Jesus’ response would alienate Him with the Jewish people. Many Jews despised the Roman’s unjust taxation. However, if Jesus disapproved of the Roman taxation system, then His response would lead to execution for treason against Rome. Thus, the Jewish leaders tried to corner Jesus with their loaded and flattering question about Roman taxation. A brilliant plan on the surface. However, Jesus’ reply was even more brilliant (Mark 12:17; see also Matthew 22:22; Luke 20:25-26).

Jesus immediately saw through the Jewish leaders’ hypocrisy, evil intentions, and deception (Mark 12:15; see also Matthew 22:18; Luke 20:23). In fact, Jesus knew that the Jewish leaders’ real motives were not to get an answer to a question, but to entrap Him. As God incarnate (in human flesh) (John 1:1-5, 14), Jesus saw these leaders’ hearts and true motives (e.g., see 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 44:21; John 2:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). God is all knowing and all seeing (omniscience) (e.g., see Psalm 33:13-15, Jeremiah 16:17; Hebrews 4:13). So, Jesus said to the Jewish leaders, “show Me a coin and I will tell you” (Mark 12:15, TLB; see also Matthew 22:18; Luke 20:24). The Jewish leaders gave the coin to Jesus (Mark 12:16; see also Matthew 22:18). Then, Jesus asked the Jewish leaders, “Whose picture and title is this on the coin?” (Mark 12:16, TLB; see also Matthew 22:20; Luke 20:24). The leaders replied, “Caesar’s” (Mark 12:16; see also Matthew 22:21; Luke 20:24). Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17, NIV; see also Matthew 17:25; Matthew 22:17, 21; Luke 20:25; Romans 13:6-7). Ultimate authority comes from God alone (e.g., see Exodus 18:11; 2 Kings 5:15; Psalm 24:1). At Jesus’ wise and brilliant response, the religious leaders were amazed and baffled (Mark 12:17; see also Matthew 22:22; Luke 20:26). Luke’s Gospel adds the religious and political leaders failed to trap Jesus by what He said in front of the people (Luke 20:26).

In essence, Jesus avoided this evil trap by recognizing that God’s people have dual citizenship and obligations to both God and the government (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:13-17). For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God (Romans 13:1; see also Daniel 4:17; John 19:11). God controls the world including the governmental systems and rulers (Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 45:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 10:26). All God’s people are to live at peace with the state, do what is right, and pay governmental taxes (Romans 13:1, 3-4, 6-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14, 16; Titus 3:1; see also Proverbs 24:21).

Our citizenship in the nation requires that we submit and honor government authorities and pay taxation (fees) for the services and benefits we receive from the government (Romans 13:1-7). Today, these services include fire and police protection, national defense, the salaries of the government officials who manage the affairs of state, special programs for the poor and underprivileged, etc. God’s people must accept the fact that God has established governmental authority (see also Proverbs 8:15-16; Daniel. 2:21; 1 Timothy 2:1-6). Human government is essential to a safe and orderly society in a sinful world. In fact, many of God’s servants serve in governmental positions (remember Daniel and Joseph) (Romans 13:4). Thus, God’s people must respect government authorities, obey the law, pay taxes, and pray for all who are in authority (see Jeremiah 29:4-7).

Nevertheless, God’s people are also required wholeheartedly to worship, obey, and love God first. We are created in God’s image and must live under God’s authority foremost (Genesis 1:26-27). Our devotion and allegiance to God do not excuse God’s people from their responsibilities to civil government. Jesus and His apostles, including Apostle Paul, never disobeyed the government for personal reasons. If Jesus and His apostles did disobey, it was only to obey and follow God’s moral standards and authority first. Thus, when the two authorities have conflict, God’s people have their first allegiance and obedience to God first before our duty to the government (e.g. see Exodus 1:17; Acts 4:19-20; Acts 5:29). God’s people are to pray regularly for our government and governmental officials (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Our sincere prayers will have powerful results (James 5:16).

References

Disciple's Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1988).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).