by Timothy W. Burnett
Some people asked Jesus a question of law, �Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?� (Matthew 22:17). At first glance this may seem to be an honest question, but the context of the other verses show the contrary. According to verses 15-16, the Pharisees plotted to entangle Jesus in his own words. They did not ask him themselves, but instead sent people who in some way worked for Herod.
Look at Jesus� wise answer, �But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, �Why do you tempt me you hypocrites? Show me the tribute money.� And they brought unto him a coin. And he said to them, �Whose image and superscription is this?� They said to him, �Caesar�s.� Then he said to them, �Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar�s, and to God the things that are God�s.�� They marveled over his perfect and wise answer to their attempts to trip him up.
The Roman Empire had rule over people, and their ability to enforce the rule depended largely on the rules being annotated in the form of ordinances. One form of rule existed as a tax or duty upon all subjects. In essence, the king who owned the circulated money claimed authority to take back some of his money.
There is another scripture which addresses the same subject from another angle, �And when they [Jesus and disciples] came from Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter and said, �Does not your Master pay tribute?� He said, �Yes.� And when he [Peter] came into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, �What do you think, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?� Peter said to him, �Of strangers.� Jesus said to him, �Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, unless we should offend them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first comes up, and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money. Take that money, and give it to them for me and you.�� (Matthew 17:24-27).
In the above scripture, Peter was asked by a tax collector if his Master pays a tribute. The word tribute referred to a forced payment of tax. Peter sincerely answered �yes.� Later Jesus confronted him about it. The word �prevented� meant to anticipate or speak first. Jesus knew what happened and confronted Peter in advance. He asked Peter a rhetorical question, �Of whom do the kings take custom or tribute? Their own children, or strangers?� Peter rightly said �strangers,� and Jesus answered, �Then the children free.�
The tax collector�s authority was under a tax ordinance issued by Caesar that was possibly far-reaching in scope. It was in essence an ordinance of man (see also 1Peter 2:14-15). Jesus knew that while living in the world under the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire, it was wise to let God provide for the payment so as to not face accusations and such. He was already being targeted and it wasn�t yet his time. God provided the answer in the mouth of a fish, and the tax was paid.
Please note that the above scripture does not justify and affirm the forced taxing of people by governments. God�s word addresses this matter in other areas. Instead, it simply teaches us that if we are liable to pay a tax as annotated in the tax code, then it is better to submit to the code, than to suffer great loss and/or punishment from not submitting. If we are going to suffer, let it be for the sake of God�s word and the ministry and for acting rightly, as free people in our Lord Jesus Christ. And not�and not using our liberty for a cloke of viscious dispositions and desires, but as the servants of God (see 1Peter 2:16).
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