Matthew 22:15-21
Chapter 22
15
The Pharisees left, thinking about how they could trap Jesus with his own words.
On the Tribute to Caesar
16
They sent their disciples to him, along with members of Herod’s party, saying:
“Master, we know that you are an honest man and truly teach God’s way. You are not influenced by others, nor are you afraid of anyone.
17
So tell us what you think: is paying taxes to Caesar against the law or not?”
18
But Jesus understood their evil intentions and said to them:
“Hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19
Show me the coin you use to pay taxes.”
They showed him a silver coin.
20
Jesus asked them:
“Whose head is this, and whose name?”
21
They answered:
“Caesar’s.”
Then Jesus replied:
“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.”
Commentaries
On the Tribute to Caesar.
From here to the end of the chapter, we see four questions and four answers that reveal the increasing tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities. The first question asked by the Pharisees concerns the tribute to Caesar. The question aims to trap Jesus in a difficult situation. Jesus’ response is very clever: if they acknowledge the coin’s legal status (20), they are part of the system and must accept its rules. However, above all human authority, there is God. Jesus avoids the trap they set and raises his teaching to a higher, more universal level. The coin with Caesar’s image belongs to him as tribute, but people, who bear the image of God, belong to their Creator.