A Question on Taxes

Mark 12:13–17 NIV

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

Introduction

1. A Series of Questions

a. In chapter 12 of Mark's Gospel, we see a series of questions being asked by three different parties; 1st the Pharisees & Herodians, then some of the Sadducees, and finally a representative of the scribes.

b. Each of these efforts are intended to trap Jesus, to put him into conflict with the people, the government, or the theological authorities.

2. The Opening Statement

Mark 12:13 NIV

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.

a. "They" probably refers to the ruling body of the Jews, the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was composed of men from three major groups of Jews: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the scribes.

b. It seems that these series of attacks were being coordinated to at least some extent by the Sanhedrin.

c. The Greek word translated as "sent" in this verse is related to the word normally translated as "apostle." This gives us some understanding, in the NT an apostle was not just a messenger, but a messenger empowered with authority to speak for the one who sent him. The 12 apostles carried the authority of Jesus. This same group of Pharisees and Herodians came with the authority of the Sanhedrin behind them.

d. The Herodians were a party of the Jews that supported the ruling authority of the Herodian dynasty. The Herods, who were not pure Jews, were puppet kings under the authority of the Romans, and they were thoroughly despised by many Jews. The fact that these two parties were together questioning Jesus shows us just how much they despised Jesus and his teaching.

3. Catch Him in His Words

a. The word translated "catch" is a translation of the Greek word "agreuo" which is used only once in the entire NT.

b. This makes the word difficult to translate with it's full meaning. The verb Mark uses here means "to take by hunting," and it has connotations of violent pursuit.

c. They didn't want to just catch him, they were violently hunting him!

The Trap is Set

Mark 12:14 NIV

They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?

1. They begin with Flattery

a. They say that Jesus is a man of integrity, that he is a man who would never compromise principles and ethics; he does not turn from what is right for the sake of popularity.

b. They say that Jesus would not be swayed from truth because some people might find His message unpopular.

c. This is all true of Jesus character, but they don't mean it, they are being complete hypocrites.

2. The Question to Trap Him.

a. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?

b. In asking this question they task Jesus with answering one of the most controversial issues among the Jews at the time.

c. Almost every Jew in Israel hated the very thought of paying any tax to Caesar, and many actually refused to pay. Some of the Pharisees believed that the Jews were under moral obligation no to pay taxes to Caesar. If Jesus were really a godly man, He would not advocate paying taxes to the ungodly conquering government.

d. The trap was set, if Jesus said it was OK to pay Caesar, the people would turn on Him, but if He said publicly that no one should pay taxes to Caesar, the religious leaders would go to the Romans and say that Jesus was creating a rebellion against them.

3. The Trap Evaded

Mark 12:16–17 NIV

They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

a. The denarius was probably the most common coin among the Jews. It was a small silver coin that carried the value of an average day's wage.

b. In Jewish history, the Caesar whose image appeared on the denarius was Tiberius, who reigned after Augustus from AD 14 to 37.

c. His image was pressed on the surface of the coin along with an inscription: Ti Caesar Divi Aug F Augustus, which meant. "Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus." On the other side was the inscription pontif maxim, that is "High Priest."

Give to Caesar What is Caesar's

1. The Coin Belongs to Caesar

a.Since the Caesar's image and inscription were on the coin. according to Roman law, it was his possession.

b. So Jesus was saying since the coin is Caesar's, use it to pay Caesar's tax.

c. In other words, you are willing to use the money for yourself, and gain benefit from it. So pay what is due since it's not your anyway.

d. Paul also deals with the subject of taxes.

Romans 13:1–7 NIV

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

e. Paul wrote these words at a time when the government, the Roman Empire, was corrupt and godless.

f. The moral behavior of the state has no bearing on whether we pay taxes or not. We do not, however, need to agree with all the policies of the government. But we deal with it in peaceful loving ways.

Give to God what is God's

1. We bear His image.

a. This is the key teaching in this passage. We often spend so much time on the tax part, yet forget what Jesus actually was teaching.

b. The money and taxes are not the issue, the actual question is are you giving to God what is God's?

c. Go has stamped His image on you, so you are to give your whole self to God.

d. You can't solve questions about Caesar's claims on you without first settling issues concerning God's claims.

e. Jesus' ambiguous answer suggests that Rome has some authority in some matters, but God has final authority in all matters.

2. What are we giving?

a. We give to taxes because we have to, yet God has also made a claim on you, as His children.

b. So give to God what is His, give Him your life!

Big Idea: We give God our lives, our liberty, our possessions, and our affections. This is the duty of every Christian.