Matthew 22:15-22

Matthew 22:15-22
In the final week prior to Jesus’ death, one group of Jews after another challenged Him in order to somehow discredit Him before the people. But each time, Jesus left them marveling at His knowledge and understanding of the scriptures.
In this text, their attempts even go to the point where they create unlikely bedfellows. The Pharisees and the Herodians joining together is most unusual. The Pharisees generally disdained any connection with the political system, leaving that to their counterpart the Sadducees. But they were desperate to do anything to take Jesus down.
In this challenge, their hope is to accuse Jesus of rebellion against Rome by forcing Him to denounce paying taxes. The Jews as a whole despised the tax by Rome. If Jesus joined in their opinion and stated that it was unlawful to pay taxes, He could be indicted for attempting to create an insurrection against the Empire. On the other hand, if Jesus agreed that they ought to pay taxes, the people would despise him. Either way, the Pharisees would successfully destroy His influence.
However, Jesus made a brilliant move by asking them to produce a Roman coin. The coin bore the image of Caesar and the Jews were using the coin in order to buy and sell. If Jesus had produced His own coin, His argument would not have worked nearly as well. Thus the simple question: “Whose image is on the coin?” The Pharisees and Herodians, unable to discern where Jesus was going with His question, readily answered that it was Caesar. Jesus in essence said, “Okay, if you are using Caesar’s coin, then you must render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. You must give Caesar his due, but that does not change the fact that you must also give God His due.”
In one simple conversation Jesus put to rest any conflict between earthly governments and service to God. They are not to be in conflict. A disciple of Christ must maintain allegiance to government while at the same time serving God. God has placed all governments in power (Rom. 13:1-4), and therefore giving earthly leaders their due is also serving God.
Berry Kercheville