Pay Your Dues

Luke 20:19–26 NIV84

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. 20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” 25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Introduction

When people are in pursuit of what they truly believe is something good, they will do some pretty terrible things in order to achieve it.

Recently there was an example of a documentary on Elizabeth Holmes, who started up a massive tech company named Theranos. She got a string of big names on the board of the company, and sold the idea that they had a device that with just a few drops of blood, they could test just about everything wrong with a person, and could be used in the comfort of your own home. It was posited to be the next greatest thing in medical advancement. Elizabeth Holmes managed to raise close to $1 billion dollars in investments, and had a massive company going, with a product that couldn’t even come close to giving the kind of information she claimed it could.

In another example, in the United States, according to a NY Times article I read, it is permitted for police officers to outright lie to suspects during interrogation in order to obtain a confession to a crime committed. According to the article:

In Frazier v. Cupp (1969), the Supreme Court made it lawful for the police to present false evidence. “The victim’s blood was found on your pillow,” “You failed the polygraph,” “Your fingerprints were on the knife” and “Your friend said she wasn’t with you like you said” are some common but brazen lies told. There is almost no limit to the type or magnitude of deception permitted — one lie or many; small lies and whoppers; lies aimed at adults or anxious and unwary teenagers.

Lies in the name of what they believed to be a good or noble pursuit.

And this is where we find the religious leaders that were engaging with Jesus at this time in Jerusalem, in the Temple.

We’ve seen over the last number of weeks just how heated the tensions have become between Jesus and the religious leaders. Last week we saw that Jesus told a parable about the vine-growers that would beat and cast out the messengers of the owner, and who would ultimately put to death the Son that wa sent by the owner of the vineyard. In Luke 20:19, we read…

Luke 20:19 NIV84

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

That is the context of the encounter that we read of between Jesus and the religious leaders in this passage. As religious leaders, they wanted an immediate arrest! They knew he had spoken this parable against them! At various points through Luke’s Gospel, we’ve seen the animosity growing, but at this point, it is particularly strong, and they are looking for an immediate solution.

As we work our way through this passage, we see a stark comparison between those who would plot evil, and who walk down a path of evil, and Jesus Christ, the righteous Son of God who will respond in wisdom and purity.

With that in mind, let us consider firstly…

1. The Plans for Evil

Keep in mind that these religious leaders were utterly convinced in their own hearts and minds that they were honouring God. However, they were utterly self-deceived. But because of their self-centered natures, their hearts filled with selfish desires, they would pursue Christ through lies and deceit.

Notice…

1.1. The Heart of Evil (v.20)

In verse 20, we find what it was that they were seeking to do now in light of what Jesus had said to them.

Luke 20:20 NIV84

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.

The first thing that we see is that they were “keeping a close watch on him...”

This is not something that was unusual for the religious leaders. They would do this regularly through the course of Christ’s ministry in the world in an attempt to catch Him out.

Luke 6:7 NASB95

7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him.

Luke 14:1 NASB95

1 It happened that when He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching Him closely.

Jesus lived a life under constant scrutiny from these leaders. Their goal was that they would catch him. The only difference between the previous incidents and this one is that they were now far more hostile. The hostility has increased.

And so, we find in our text that they plot to send spies. They are going to send spies to Jesus in order to trap Jesus in his words.

This was again not a new thing.

Luke 11:53–54 NIV84

53 When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54 waiting to catch him in something he might say.

That’s exactly what they were now seeking to do in this instance. They were sending spies with the purpose of trapping Jesus.

It is interesting to note what David wrote in some of the Psalms, in terms of how He was pursued by wicked men who would devise evil.

One example of this is Psalm 140:1-5

Psalm 140:1–5 NASB95

1 Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men 2 Who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars. 3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah. 4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men Who have purposed to trip up my feet. 5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set snares for me. Selah.

That is exactly what the religious leaders were doing in this instance.

Notice that they have this Evil Desire, just as the Psalmist wrote. They had devised evil things in their hearts.

But we see in this passage that they went “pretending to be honest.”

The word used for “honest” here probably has the meaning of being righteous. They were pretending to those who walked in integrity. They were pretending to come to Jesus as those who were for him and supportive of Him. They were going to come with the approach of uprightness and integrity with their question.

This is the manner in which evil works. Satan disguising himself as an angel of light.

But we must see the extent of this evil in terms of what they were now trying to do. And this is very important in terms of the context here.

It says in our text that they wanted to trap him so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.

The setup was like this. In Mark 12:13 we read of who this group of spies were made up of…

Mark 12:13 NASB95

13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement.

The “Spies” that were sent to Jesus were made up of a group of Pharisees and Herodians.

Pharisees were part of the pious religious leaders of the Jewish people. The Herodians were those who were partial to Herod, who was set in place to govern that region. These two groups of people were not friendly to one another. They simply came together in this instance because they had a common enemy in view - Jesus.

Here was an unholy alliance of parties, set up and structured in order to trap Jesus. The Pharisees in the group would approach Jesus in order to ask him a question of conscience. They would ask him a question that had to do with their devotion to God (or so they would claim). But it would be a question so structured that they hoped Jesus would give an answer that would allow him to be accused before the Roman authorities. And that’s why they needed the Herodians as part of the group.

We must take note of the phrase in Luke 20:20 that they wanted to “hand him over.” Just by including this statement in this form, Luke is highlighting and intensifying the role of officiaul Judaism in Jesus’ death.

In Luke 18:32, Luke has already recorded Jesus’ words that he would be handed over in this manner...

Luke 18:32 NIV84

32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him.

In a couple of weeks time, when we Lord-willing consider Luke 23, we will find that they had indeed handed Jesus over, and they would accuse him before Pilate. But already this plot is in their hearts.

As this plot unfolds, we find...

1.2. The Act of Evil (vv.21-22)

In verse 21 we read…

Luke 20:21 NIV84

21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

Immediately we must see the utter guile of these leaders. The extent of the hypocrisy is shocking.

Notice the way that they approach him.

Firstly, they call him “Teacher.” Now, while this is an accurate (although not a full) description of Jesus, they would never listen to what this Teacher had to say. At least they didn’t agree. They listened to find fault and catch him out.

But they go even further. They say to him, “we know that you speak and teach what is right.”

In their hypocrisy they seek to flatter Jesus by telling him that he speaks and teaches what is right. Later on in the same verse, they say that he teaches the way of God in accordance with the truth. What they were really saying is that Jesus is a dependable teacher, and one that the people can follow because of the integrity of his words.

The only problem is that they hated him, and they despised his teaching. In fact, they wanted him dead because of his teaching…

As much as they were saying the right things, they were doing so only as a form of flattery, and with malicious and evil intent. They had no intention of actually listening to the teaching of Jesus. In fact, they were utterly repulsed by it. They cared nothing for what He taught, and saw Him only as a menace.

One further thing that they comment here is that Jesus does “not show partiality.”

In other words, they say to Jesus that it doesn’t matter who he’s with, whether rich or poor, slave, free, sick, healthy… you name it… Jesus, you’re not partial in this accurate teaching. You just teach everyone consistently the truth of God.

Now the statement they make is certainly true. But they certainly did not believe what they were saying. One of the reasons that they hated Jesus so much is because he ate with tax collectors and sinners, and even showed mercy and grace in his teaching of them.

So once again, this is just a massive demonstration of vile hypocrisy, the use of flattery in order to trap Jesus.

With the bait of flattery having been laid out, they now set the trap through a question. And it is a loaded question!!

Luke 20:22 NIV84

22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

The question had a significant cultural background for these Jewish people. We need to see this if we’re going to understand the weightiness of this challenge against Jesus.

Luke Luke 20:22

The tribute to which the present passage refers was a poll tax which, after the deposition of Archelaus (A.D. 6), was collected by the procurator from every adult male in Judea, and was paid directly into the imperial treasury.

Notice that this amount had not been paid through the course of Israels history. It was a particular tax that was imposed by the Roman government that had come into power, and was ruling over the Jewish people and their land. The payment of taxes was in itself a reminder to the Jews of their subjugation under another nation. They despised this. They longed for freedom from the rule of other governing authorities, and they despised the idea of paying taxes to another governing power.

One example of the extent of the despising of this is found in Judas of Galilee. You read about Jesus of Galilee in Acts 5:37…

Josphus (the Jewish historian) wrote about this man Judas of Galilee…

The Works of Josephus: New Updated Edition Wars of the Jews 2.117–118

(117) And now Archelaus’s part of Judea was reduced into a province, and Coponious, one of the equestrian order among the Romans, was sent as a procurator, having the power of [life and] death put into his hands by Caesar. (118) Under his administration it was that a certain Galilean, whose name was Judas, prevailed with his countrymen to revolt; and said they were cowards if they would endure to pay a tax to the Romans, and would, after God, submit to mortal men as their lords. This man was a teacher of a peculiar sect of his own, and was not at all like the rest of those their leaders.

Admittedly, this man was the leader of a sect. But the very question from the leaders of the temple demonstrate that there was a strong opposition to paying this tax. In fact, Josephus himself records that the Jews really didn’t want to pay the taxes to Rome, but were convinced by one of their leaders.

Nonetheless, this was something that they despised. They didn’t want to pay these taxes.

And this is how the Pharisees wanted to set Jesus up.

In essence, the trick of these spies was to get Jesus to answer either direction. If he answered that taxes must be payed to Caesar, then he would be significantly reduced in the estimation of the people. He would alienate many of the patriatic Jews who despised the idea of paying a tax. Even though they may have been paying taxes at this time, they certainly didn’t want to, and they were looking for a deliverer to redeem them from slavery under the hands of human oppressors. This is what they wanted in their minds. If Jesus now told them to pay taxes, then certainly He’s not the deliverer they’d been hoping for.

On the other hand, if He answered that they should not pay these taxes, then his feit would be the same as that of Judas of Galilee, who was put to death because of his revolt against the government. If he advocated not paying a tax, then the Herodians who were part of the group of spies would report this to the government. This is really what the Pharisees wanted.

Obviously, if He hesitated in his answer, it would be seen that he had been put in a quandary, and again, He would have been made to look foolish. At the very least, they could have made a fool of Jesus.

This really was a tricky question…

2. The Response in Wisdom

In verses 23-24 we read…

Luke 20:23–24 NIV84

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”

Immediately, Jesus saw through their flattery and their “appearance of righteousness.”

And so he begins his counter of the question in an interesting way. Without hesitating, he tells them to show him a denarius, and asks them to show it to him. He then asks them “whose portrait and inscription are on it.”

The coin that Jesus asked for was a Denarius.

Luke (Luke 20:23–25)

This was a small silver coin equal to a laborer’s average wages for one day’s work. It was the amount fixed by law for the payment of the poll tax.

The coin itself had the image of the ruling Emporer on one side. At that time the ruling emporer was Tiberius Caesar.

A Walk with God: Luke Luke 20:19–26

Coinage bearing the image of the ruler of a nation was used as a sign of that nation’s authority over subject nations, so in a sense the rule of a nation extended as far as their coinage was in circulation. These coins, however, also carried with them the notion of the divinity of the Emperor, something which was utterly repugnant to the Jew.

On the one side of the coin were inscribed the words, “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus.”

And on the other side, “Highest Priest.”

So, Jesus calls them to give him a Denarius and to show whose image and inscription were on it.

Some have made the comment that the reason that Jesus didn’t take a Denarius from his own pocket (or get it from one of his disciples) is because he the disciples were so poor. Now while it’s probably true that they didn’t have much, that’s probably not the reason for what Jesus does here.

Luke Luke 20:23–25

Jesus wanted the coin to come from the pockets of his opponents, so as to impress upon them the fact that they themselves were using this coinage, were benefiting from its use, and had accordingly accepted the resulting obligations.

Luke Luke 20:20–26

The Jews were carrying such coins in their pockets, proof that they already lived under Rome’s sovereignty and accepted it by participating in its commerce.

There were thus going to be accompanying obligations. And so, immediately Jesus has put them in the position of having to think through their own personal position in terms of the ruling powers. They were gaining a benefit from the present society. They were benefitting from the commerce, from the protections that the state offered in terms of their powerful rule and the strength of their army. They had benefits, and there were accordingly going to be obligations upon them.

Jesus then continues with his response.

Luke 20:25 NIV84

25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

This is an amazing response from Jesus.

There are a number of important things that we must consider from it.

Firstly, he says that they are to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.

This does not mean that merely because a coin contains the image of Caesar that it belongs to him, and they should simply give it to him. It does mean that within the system, the portion that is exacted by the governing authorities as a tax should be paid accordingly.

Luke Luke 20:23–25

Honoring God does not mean dishonoring the emperor by refusing to pay for the privileges—a relatively orderly society, police protection, good roads, courts, etc., etc.—one enjoys.

We can apply this within our own context as well. While we certainly have problems in our own governments, even a government with its weaknesses and limitations is better than no government where utter anarchy rules and reigns.

Notice what Jesus does here. He ensures that the people know that there should be no sedition or rebellion against the government. In fact, I would suggest to you that He never promoted such rebellion.

There will come a day when the rulers and authorities of the world will give an account, but that is not now.

Even on the cross, Christ could have called down legions of angels to come to His defense, but he didn’t.

As Christians, practically speaking, we are called to show respect to the governing authorities by virtue of the place given them by God.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 NASB95

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

1 Peter 2:17 NASB95

17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

So, Jesus clearly tells his disciples that they should have a measure of honour for the King, for Caesar. There was no rebellion against the governing authorities of the day.

But that didn’t mean that there was to be an outright submission to the authorities.

Luke Luke 20:23–25

b. He was qualifying his “yes” answer by stating that the emperor should be paid (given back) only what was his due. Hence, the divine honor which the emperor claimed but which is due to God alone must be refused.

This is an important point to keep in mind, particularly given what was inscripted on the coins of that day.

Recall the words: “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus.

And on the other side, “Highest Priest.”

Jesus would certainly not be calling for them to be agreeing with this, or in any way to attribute praise to Caesar. He was saying, give to Caesar what belongs to him, but give to God what is due Him.

So, there is a limitation placed here. Even though Jesus wasn’t stating this explicitly, or extracting the principle. It was there.

But beyond the limitation in terms of honouring the king, there is also an explicit call to honour God.

To God is due praise, glory, honour, worship, gratitude and a life of service.

In terms of this worship and honour of God, nothing should be withheld.

1 Corinthians 6:20 NASB95

20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB95

31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Indeed, this is what Jesus did.

John 17:4 NASB95

4 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.

What, we should ask, were the Pharisees etc. seeking to do? They were seeking to destroy the very Son of God. They were certainly not trying to bring glory to God!!

In verse 26, we read of the response to Jesus from these men who had sought to trap him.

Luke 20:26 NIV84

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Luke Luke 20:26

Even Jesus’ opponents marveled at his wisdom and how he had gotten the better of them.

They were left with a mouth full of teeth. They could hardly believe how Jesus had been able to so easily get himself out of the trap set for him. In fact they had nothing to say to Him in response.

Application

Luke Luke 20:20–26

In many ways Jesus’ handling of this question shows that he is not interested in the political agenda of changing Rome. He is not a zealot. He is more interested that Israel be a people who honor the God they claim to know than being concerned with their relationship to Rome.

This is an important statement to keep in mind. Jesus simply went about his business in this world, which was the establishment of another kingdom that is not of this world. However, He never sought to undermine or to subvert the rulers of this world in its present form.

Now, we know from Psalm 2 and the rest of Scripture that these other nations would ultimately be judged, and will come under God’s divine wrath. But for now, they are the leaders that God has appointed for the time. Jesus is not in any way advocating subversion or rebellion.

God’s Nation?

Very often there has been confusion about politics and religion. Many believe that a nation should come under the authority of God’s word, and should have the laws of God - essentially the Scripture, rule the nation.

Luke Luke 20:20–26

But if we mean that God has a special contract of blessing with any given nation, the answer is no, since only Israel had a special relationship with God. Today, in the place where God is especially at work, the church transcends any national boundaries (Phil. 3:20–21).

Does God have a contract of blessing with any given nation? the answer in our day is “NO!”

While in the old testament days, there was a covenant established with Israel, the new and greater covenant has been established across political boundaries.

Philippians 3:20–21 NASB95

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Galatians 3:28–29 NASB95

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Citizens of Another Kingdom

We are citizens of another kingdom, living in this world as ambassadors of our king.

Luke Luke 20:20–26

Christians have the right to be full citizens in any country, even the duty to do so. The church has the right to contend in the public marketplace for those values that make for a healthy community. John the Baptist himself challenged Herod on his lifestyle by raising the issue of his accountability to God. But the church is not in the business of wielding secular power or the sword.

The history of the church bears testimony to this important fact. Killings in the name of Christianity through the course of history do not bring honour to Christ.

Spanish Inquisition

Apartheid in South Africa under the guise of being a people chosen by God has caused immense harm and destruction.

We are not to participate in such things, but to demonstrate the cross-cultural Kingdom of Christ.

We are to live out our lives in such a manner that the world sees the kingdom of Christ as it witnesses our relationships and our interactions with each other.

We seek to do good in the land. In fact, we want to be the best citizens that we can be as await the return of the true King.