The King vs Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22)

The King Vs Caesar

Matthew 22:15-22

November 30, 2025 — Land O’ Lakes Bible Church

Introduction

A good actor is able to make a show or a movie, as they sale the character that they are pretending to be. Whether it is the Duke, John Wayne selling that he is some tough and rugged cowboy when he is nothing more than a city slicker. Though born in the Midwest in Iowa, he grew up in Southern California and was a surfer and football player. In fact, his real name is not even John Wayne, but Marion Robert Morrison. Yet, the Duke captured the hearts of many in the older generations with his many cowboy movies. Pretending to be great on a horse and good with a gun. 

My late grandmother was great like that as an actor. She could sell her characters she would play in her many various plays. People loved to watch her perform. She was so good at acting, that she often forgot to take off her actors mask in family gatherings. Especially in moments of doing Secret Santa. 

She was a master of making herself seem upset and heartbroken when someone would steal a gift from her so that someone would feel guilty and arrange it for her to get the gift back that she wanted. She mastered the trade of acting in pretending to be something she wasn’t. 

It’s one thing to act for fun or entertainment. However, it’s completely different if you are acting to hide who you truly are. If you are giving the appearance that you are someone different than the real you. And that is what we see in our passage this morning. 

Please then take out your copy of the Bible and open with me to our passage this morning of Matthew 22:15-22. If you do not have a copy of the Bible, we have there in your seats a Red Pew Bible. And you can find our passage on page #983.

Over the last few weeks we have been considering the growing tension between Jesus the religious leaders in Israel. A tension that we will continue to see up until the very end of the gospel. 

As to why this conflict, we see clues along the way. Back in his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us:

Matthew 5:20 ESV

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

From Matthew 9-19 Jesus began to challenge the religious leaders’ views on fasting, Sabbath-keeping, and divorce. 

So to say that they were not on the same page would be a massive understatement. The reason for this is seen in part of our passage this morning. These Pharisees were actors, they were hypocrites. They put on their outward religious piety towards God, while their hearts were far from God. 

Here in Matthew 21 and 22, the Pharisees have sought to question Jesus about his authority. And to teach on his authority and show their neglect in what was entrusted to them, Jesus used three parables. He showed how the religious leaders had failed to do as instructed by God. How they had failed to honor God, and how they had failed to give what was due to God in the fruit of the vineyard. 

And so, they now seek to try and plot in how to entrap Jesus and bring him down. This will cover our next three sections which we will cover over the next two weeks. Next week we will see their second question to try and trap Jesus over the matter of resurrection. In two weeks, they will seek to entrap him over the question over what is the great commandment. But this morning, they start off with a topic that is divisive and a hot button topic, that of politics and government. 

May we then study carefully these words of the LORD. The word of the LORD from Matthew 22:15-22… 

Main Idea: Part of our Christian discipleship will be to submit to governing authorities. But make no mistake, our ultimate allegiance and our worship belongs to God alone. 

A Plot to Entrap

A Response that Marvels

1. A Plot to Entrap (Matthew 22:15-17)

Following Jesus’ parables that were told against the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, a group of these leaders, the Pharisees separated themselves from the rest to plot together. Matt 22:15… 

Matthew here makes clear from the start what is about to happen. That these Pharisees aim to entangle Jesus in his words, to entrap him in what he says. They are likely hoping to apply Proverbs 18:7 to Jesus. Which says:

Proverbs 18:7 ESV

7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Of course Jesus is no fool as will be made clearly evident for all as the scene unfolds. But the plot is set. V.16…

Notice here that there is two groups here sent to Jesus. The first group being the disciples of the Pharisees. The Pharisees for whatever reason do not go again to Jesus themselves. Maybe it is because Jesus has just cut them down to size or maybe they thing that their disciples will be more likely to get Jesus to stumble if he is not as on guard against them, thinking them to not be as big of a threat. Whatever the reason, it is the disciples, the students of the Pharisees that make of the 1st group that comes to Jesus. 

But then there is a second group. A group known as the Herodians. Not much is said of this group in Scripture. But from the name, it is is fairly easy to connect them to their primary allegiance, Herod Antipas. They were a political party who sympathized with the rulers of the Herodian dynasty and as a result, Rome as well. This group is the second group here that goes to Jesus in this plot. 

The two groups are unlikely allies. For the Herodians are sympathetic to Rome and politically motivated. The Pharisees oppose Rome and despise their authority over the land of Israel. So what unites these two unlikely groups? Their mutual despise of Jesus. 

Neither group was fond of Jesus and his teaching. Both wanted rid of him. And so those who would normally be completely opposed to one another come together for this plot to bring down Jesus. 

Still there in Matthew 22:16, notice the flattery that is used by these two groups. Addressing him first as teacher, acknowledging him as one who then has authority. Second that he is true and teaches the way of God truthfully. Thirdly, they later him by saying that he teaches, caring not about people’s opinions, being swayed by them and their appearances. 

These statements are all true about Jesus. And here is prime application for us. We must indeed understand that Jesus indeed is the one with authority, authority given from God the Father himself. And as one given such authority, Jesus teaches that which is true in accordance to God as the supreme teacher.

His words then continues to stand forever as authoritative. Beware any who adds or takes away from his authoritative word. And it is this word that is true for all people, regardless of prestige or circumstance. 

 Therefore it is the words of Jesus that are to guide us into the truth of God’s kingdom. To borrow the words from John’s gospel, 

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So whose words are guiding us? Our own upbringings? Our own backgrounds? Or are we submitting ourselves under the whole counsel of Christ our King? Under his authoritative and true word? 

This is why the regular reading and studying of God’s word is so vital for our Christian discipleship. For in it, we are aiming to submit ourselves over and over again to Christ our King! Allowing God’s word to regularly work in us through the power of the Spirit to transform us. And us growing to walk in the ways of the Lord in accordance to his word more and more. 

For as we see from the issue here, it is hypocritical to merely say these truths about Jesus if we do not sit and listen to the true words of Jesus, if we fail to have reverence from this true teacher of God’s word. 

Beware lest we find ourselves like these flatters who give praise to Jesus with their lips, but seek to entrap him with their question. A question about the hot button topic of government and politics. Matt 22:17…

The tax in question here is known as the poll tax. It is a tax that all in Roman territory are called to pay as citizens. 

But their last words of flattery are most revealing. For they said, “you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.” And yet here they try to flatter him to get him to answer in a way that entraps him. And yet, because Jesus cares not what any think, he answers in such a piercing way, cutting through their evil motives. 

A good reminder to each and every disciple of Jesus. We should proclaim the truth of God’s word without fear. As teachers and preachers of God’s word particularly, our messages must be shaped in ways that are grace and winsome filled in order to help to win people, but never in ways that avoid the truth of God’s word. 

To proclaim God’s word will often pierce and enrage the hearts of many simply because it is true. God help us to imitate our King as we speak God’s word to others!

The two groups who are here collaborating in this question have Jesus trapped. For no matter how he responds, he is going to be in opposition. 

If he says, yes, you should pay taxes to Caesar, he will be seen as a traitor to his own people who feel entrapped by Rome in having to pay this tax to live in their own land. 

Yet, if Jesus says that they should not pay the tax to Rome, the Herodians will have no issue with reporting Jesus to Roman authorities. And they will charge him with sedition. And as a result of his sedition in this refusal to pay the tax, he will be sentenced to death by Rome. 

Such a trap laid out here by these groups is one reason that Jesus teaches us as his disciples that we need to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16). Because as such plots were set against our Master, so will they continue to be set against us. We must be on guard and be slow to speak. 

We also would learn to do well that though many would press us into answering these hot button topics, we need not answer or respond to every issue of the moment and day. Lessons that we can learn as we continue to set our eyes on Jesus, even in seeing how he responds to such a question of entrapment. 

That’s point #1, a plot to entrap. 

2. A Response that Marvels (Matthew 22:18-22)

Jesus now begins to respond to their question. Look again with me at Matt 22:18-19…

First, notice here how Jesus had no need for anyone to tell him about the plotting of the Pharisees and these Herodians. He sees right through their flattery of the tongue to the depths of their malice filled hearts. For Jesus knows all people and has no need for anyone to bear witness about what is in man (John 2:24-25).

And he asks them why they put him to the test? Language that might not have connected for Jesus’ original audience, but surely for reader’s of Matthew’s gospel, would connect. For these hypocrites here profess to be followers of God, doing the work of God, yet their flattery and attempt to put Jesus to the test here is of their father. Their father the devil. For it was Satan himself who previously tested Jesus back in Matthew 4:1-11.

Jesus having fasted for forty days and forty nights was met by this great enemy, who sought to test him and lure him into being ensnared by sin. However, where the first Adam fell in the garden, Jesus did not. He resisted the evil one. But now here, these disciples of the Pharisees (and truthfully the whole lot) seek to pick up where their father, the devil, left off. They seek to ensnare Jesus by his words to bring his earthly downfall.

But again, we see Jesus overcoming the test by the evil one. For these seeds of the serpent who sought to flatter and ensnare him laid a net for their own feet as the wisdom of Proverbs warns.

Proverbs 29:5 ESV

5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Their flattery and question set a trap for themselves. For Jesus now calls for them to bring him a denarius, the coin of the tax. You see the amount of the tax was no more than this denarius. It was approximately a day’s wages. That was all that was required to be paid in this poll tax, a tax that these Pharisees and Jewish zealots have so resentfully resisted. And yet, it is they who were told to bring a denarius to Jesus, for he had none on him.

The hypocrisy of the Pharisees is further being exposed here. For they resisted such a tax, while having the coin of Rome with them. For they took part in Roman commerce and enjoyed the benefits and pleasantries of Roman life. While the very one they question in Jesus, fails to have it on him.

Hypocrisy cannot remain hidden. And Jesus here fully exposes such hypcrisy, such acting by these religious leaders. For they pretend to be godly zealots, while being full of the sin of malice and evil in their hearts.

Friends, beware hypocrisy. For the non-believer, for the hearts hardened in sin. Your acts of hypocrisy and your flattery might go unnoticed for lengths of time, but sooner or later it will be exposed. Either in this life or when you too stand before Jesus. Like these Pharisees, you too will have your mask removed and be fully exposed. Would it not be better for you to repent now, before that day when you stand before Jesus, the Great Lion of Judah in judgment? Take off your mask and come fully exposed to Jesus today!

As Christians, we too must beware hypocrisy. We must beware hypocrisy in our own hearts and minds. Examining ourselves where we might be double-minded and continuing to bear the fruit of repentance in such while continuing to rest in the grace of God to us in Christ.

But we as Christians also then must be mindful that one is not measured by brief moments of the legitimacy of their confession of expressed faith or thoughts of Jesus. For like these hypocrites, they had this grand moment of flattering words about Jesus, but their hearts were far from him. Therefore, one’s faith is then measured not in a moment, but over time. True believers will then continually cling to Jesus, even in their struggles with sin. The hypocrite though will be one who gives lip service to Jesus, while no clear love of Jesus, no pursuing after him. Beware if that is you and beware of such in our midst as time will soon expose them.

As to the question regarding paying taxes to Caesar or not, Jesus now takes aim at answering this question, leaving the people in marvel. Look there at Matt 22:20-22.

The denarius now in Jesus’ hand, he asks them about the coin and whose image and inscription is on the coin.

Just picture one of our American Quarters. You have on it a face of George Washington on the front, along with the inscription, “In God we Trust”. And on the back of the quarter, we have the image of an eagle, a symbol of strength and freedom. That is our coin.

On the Denarius, you would have had an image then of Caesar himself. Showing that the coin was minted under his authority. And that it was a means of currency under his authority. It would also have had an inscription on the coin about Caesar himself, declaring himself as one who is Divine. Those before Jesus then rightly answered him in saying that it is Caesar’s image and inscription on this coin.

And here is where marvel comes in. For Jesus takes their answer and then gives his answer concerning the tax. Telling them to literally give back, to repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Him saying, because it has his image and inscription, it belongs to him. But to then give to God what belongs to God.

Often politics and religion are at odds. These odds vary throughout history and location. The two are often either combined in an attempt that they should be one and the same or they are put completely at odds with one another, choosing to resist one and submit to the other.

However, that is not what Jesus teaches here as the Divine Son of God who has been given all authority. The one who is the true teacher of God’s ways. He tells us that the ways of God calls us to render to Caesar what is his. That is to render to government what belongs to them.

We see this further applied elsewhere in the New Testament.

Romans 13:1 ESV

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Then in…

1 Peter 2:13–14 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

As Christians, then we are to submit to governing authorities. For Jesus tells those in his own day of this call to give them what is due to them. And this changes not when government seems to be cruel and corrupt. For Rome was no saint in her means of governing her people. Therefore, to be one devoted to God is a call to recognize governing authorities to be put in place by God in his Sovereignty for his purposes and then submit to those authorities. This changes not whether we like or disagree with those governing authorities. It changes not whether we think them to be right or wrong, evil or good. As Christians, we are to submit to our governing authorites as instruments of God.

Therefore we are called to honor them.

Romans 13:7 ESV

7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

And we are called to pray for those in authority.

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

This is what is good and right in the eyes of God. For us to submit to local authority and to give honor to them.

This is what belongs to Caesar, to government. What then belongs to God? Our ultimate allegiance! For honor and submission and paying taxes are due to Caesar becuase taxes and benefits and governing authority belong to them as designed by God himself. But all belongs to God, for “he is the creator of everyone and everything [1].”

God created the heavens and the earth. He created it by speaking it into existence out of nothing. And at the pinnacle of his creation was man.

Genesis 1:26–27 ESV

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

We ultimately belong to God as our creator, being created in his likeness and image. Therefore while we are to render to governing authorities what belongs to them, our utmost allegiance belongs to God. For as our creator, he is our supreme authority. He is the one we are to obey first, to love first, to be devoted to first.

And so, this is why we see that when conflict arises between what governing authorities rule and what God commands, our utmost allegiance to God is to win out. We see this play out when those in Israel try to silence the Apostles after Pentecost from preaching about Jesus. They respond….

Acts 5:29 ESV

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Therefore as Christians, we are to obey God rather than men in these conflicting matters as he is to have our utmost allegiance. For not only has our God created us in his image and likeness, meaning we belong to him. We who are Christians have been bought by God in our redemption. Something that is summed up for us well in question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism:

Historic Creeds and Confessions Question 1

Question 1

What is thy only comfort in life and death?

That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

What better time to reflect on this truth than at Advent. Advent being this season leading up to Christmas as we celebrate the first coming of Christ while longing for his return! For in the first advent, Christ descended from heaven to dwell with man by taking on the form of a servant as a lowly baby laid in a manger. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the law of God, yet died a sinners death on a bloody cross. For he laid down his life as the spotless lamb of God slain for us. The righteous for the unrighteous. And through his death, he satisfied the payment for all our sins, delivering us from the bondage of sin and Satan himself so that we may be reconciled to God. This is the love that came down at the first Advent, that first Christmas.

And this act of love that has purchased us is why we are to render our very lives as Christians to our Triune God! For he first loved us! And we are to respond in return by loving him!

A love response then that calls us to render to governing authorities what is due them, but our utmost allegiance to our God alone in worship of Him! And at this the crowds marveled and so should we!

And yet, even now as we await the second advent when these earthly governing authorities are no more, and when all is made knew under the fullness of God’s rule in His Kingdom! Come Lord Jesus Come! We eagerly await your second coming this Advent Season! We await the one who came to dwell among man for the purpose of restoring us to our Father in Heaven! We await the fullness of this forever Kingdom with this perfect rule!

Let’s pray!

Endnotes

[1] Tim Keller. New City Catechism. (Wheaton, IL, Crossway)