08/25/20 TWO DLG FB NOTES ON JESUS AND TAXES

08/25/20 TWO DLG FB NOTES ON JESUS AND TAXES

#1 DID JESUS PAY TRIBUTE (TAXES) TO CAESAR IN MATTHEW 17? ... NO!
09/09/09

DID JESUS PAY TRIBUTE TO CAESAR IN MATTHEW 17? ...NO!
Matthew 17:24-27 is found at end of this NOTE. 

THE ASSUMPTION
This following statement came up in a discussion concerning obedience to the State. It is typical of the faulty thinking in the modern church today. "Jesus instructed Peter to go fishing so that His taxes would be paid, Jesus again teaches us obedience to the government that God has established over us."

Matthew 17 is often used (mistakenly) to prove that we ought to obey the State. It is erroneously argued that Jesus paid tax to Caesar and therefore, we should also. We certainly do have responsibilities to the State and a responsibility to pay taxes, however, it cannot be proved by this passage. Some of you who read my explanation are going to be crying "FOUL." At least read it through before you do.

THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING
There is a principle which carries over into many different areas of our lives. It is simple, but essential. IF WORDS MEAN ANYTHING, THEY MEAN WHAT THEY SAY. In order to understand Matthew 17 we need to know what words are being used and we need to know what those words mean. If we arbitrarily define words, they end up being useless. Since the Scriptures were written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, we need to go to the original language of a passage, in order understand it correctly. 

THE EVENT
Matthew 17:24-25 "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes...
The use of translations, other than KJV helps us understand the meaning of this passage, since they do not use the word "Tribute" in reference to the Temple Tax
"Tribute" is the word used to represent the tax which is in question here. From the English this seems to be the same word Matthew used in verse 25 and 22:17-21. IT IS NOT, therefore it should not be interpreted as the same. The tax in Matthew 17:24 is a religious or Temple tax which was placed upon Jewish men for the support of the Temple, whereas, the tax in Matthew 17:25 and Matthew 22:17-21 was a "Caesar" tax.

The origins of the Temple tax and Caesar's tax were different (the Jewish Temple and Rome).
The destination of these two taxes were different (the Jewish Temple and Rome).
The people involved were different people (Jewish males and Roman citizens).
The coins used for the payment were different coins (Grecian Didrachma and the Roman Denarius).
The Temple tax had nothing to do with Caesar and Caesar's Tribute tax had nothing to do with the Temple tax. It is as simple as that.

Matthew 17:24-25 "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes..."

Though this was a voluntary tax, it was expected of men to pay it. Since they were in Peter's hometown, the Temple tax was Peters responsibility.

Peter did what so many still do today. He took it upon himself to speak in behalf of Jesus when He really did not understand the issue sufficiently. They asked Peter if Jesus paid the Temple tax, to which Peter readily said, "Yes." TAKE NOTICE, It was Peter and not Jesus who said that Jesus did pay this Temple tax (poll tax or head tax). Just because Peter said Jesus paid the Temple tax does not mean that it was true or accurate.

IN FACT, JESUS WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THE TEMPLE TAX.
Jesus was not present when Peter was questioned about the Temple tax, but He engages Peter in conversation concerning it when Peter came home.

Matthew 17:25 "... And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free"

THREE REASONS JESUS WAS NOT REQUIRED TO PAY THE TEMPLE TAX
1. Jesus was not a resident of Capernaum. The Temple tax would normally have been paid by resident men. Peter was a resident, therefore he was expected to pay for himself and possibly others. It may be that they asked if Jesus would pay for Peter because Peter was His disciple. 

2. The Temple Tax was voluntary. As was stated earlier, a Jewish man was not necessarily required to pay the Temple tax.

3. Jesus was not subject to the tax at all since it was for the purpose of maintaining His Father's House. This is the argument He offers in the next verses.

JESUS CLAIMED EXEMPTION FROM THE TEMPLE TAX
In His argument, Jesus used the practice of the kingdoms of this world to explain something about the Temple tax. He was not equating the Temple tax with a civil tax, therefore, neither should we. He was using an analogy. Analogies are not intended to do more than they are designed to do.

Jesus was simply pointing out that He was not subject to paying the Temple tax because it was collected to support His Father's House. He points out that the tax is not imposed on the "children" but on strangers. Since the Temple was His Father's House, He was exempt.

THOUGH HE WAS NOT OBLIGATED, JESUS PAID THE TEMPLE TAX FOR HIS OWN REASON
Matthew 17:27 "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee"

JESUS DID NOT ADDRESS "TRIBUTE TO CAESAR" IN THIS PASSAGE
To use this passage as an argument for paying "tribute to Caesar" is to go beyond the intent of the passage. If we say that we are obligated to Caesar, based on Jesus paying this tax, we can then interpret any and all other passages as loosely, and end up with something other than the Word of God.

Before you accuse me of saying that this passage teaches against paying "tribute to Caesar", let me save you the trouble of a false accusation. I am not saying it teaches against paying tribute to Caesar, I am saying, it does not teach that Jesus paid tribute to Caesar.

Therefore, this passage cannot be used to prove our obligation to pay government taxes.

THE PASSAGE IN QUESTION
Matthew 17:24-27
24) And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?
25) He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What think thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26) Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

 

#2 DID JESUS ALLOW TRIBUTE (TAXES) TO CAESAR?
09/12/09

DID JESUS ALLOW TRIBUTE TO CAESAR? 

WHAT ABOUT MATTHEW 22?
This is the passage where Jesus said,
“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.”

DO THIS FIRST
Before we go any further in our study, let me ask you to do something. Without looking at the passage, recount it from memory. Recount the events and the words and explain the meaning of this passage. After you have done this, either write down what you remember the passage to say and mean or at least tuck it away in your memory. I am going to want you to compare what you think it says and means with what I am about to tell you.

A PERSONAL WARNING (lighthearted approach to basic concerns)
One more thing before we get started. Many of you are not going to agree with what I say concerning this passage. I can save you some time.
* For those who have a hard time believing anything I say, don't read this article, it might cause you ulcers.
* For those who are looking for quick and easy answers, don't read this, it will require too much effort. This is a unified piece of work and must be considered as such.
* For those who are interested in my point of view but will get upset after reading a portion of this lesson and quit, don't read it, it will be a waste of time and you still won't be any more informed.
* For those who already know all there is to know about this passage and you already know that I must be wrong, don't read this, why mess with perfection.
* For those who find my point of view interesting or amusing but you are still going to disagree with me, read it, but don't worry about learning very much since you have your mind made up and you won't be confused by the facts. It will make the reading more fun.
I almost hesitate to mention the possibility that someone will actually agree with me, but anyway, let's see what happens.

GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PASSAGE
Usually when this passage is brought up in a discussion, it does not start with the first part of the passage. It usually goes something like this.

"Jesus tells us that we are to pay our taxes. When He was asked whether we should pay taxes to Caesar, He told us to, 'Render to Caesar that which is Caesar's.'"

This argument is presented as a clear and final answer to the issue, meaning that Jesus commanded us to pay taxes (or whatever the State requires).

But that is not what is recorded. To understand this passage we must read all of it and understand it in it's religio/socio/historical setting. Very few people will agree with my understanding, choosing instead to accept the explanations given by most commentators. Though most of the well known commentators verify the historical data I share here, they do not make the same application that I do. Let's examine this passage in context and then decide what it actually means.

People use this passage to prove that we must do anything and everything which the State tells us to do. It is as if this passage is a blank check for the State to do anything it wants to do, and require it's citizens to obey. Actually there is no passage in the Bible which gives absolute power to the State.

Matthew 22:15-22
15) Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16) And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regards not the person of men.
17) Tell us therefore, What think thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18) But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19) Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20) And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21) They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
22) When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

THE PLAYERS INVOLVED
The Jewish leadership was seeking to remove Jesus from His position of influence and impact among the people. Three different groups of Jewish leaders were trying to silence Jesus, much like our society today. These three groups were the Herodians, the Pharisees and the Saducees.

THE HERODIANS
The Herodians were the more politically oriented and less religiously oriented Jews. They were called "Herodians" because they had supported the Herods in their political and social platform. Remember, though the Herods were rulers over the Jews, they were not Jews themselves; they were Idumaens or descendants of Edom (Esau), which had been despised by the Jews for over 2000 years. Since Jesus held to the "old truths" and was a fulfillment of the Old Testament, the Herodians were enemies of Jesus and His Jewishness. They were also despised by the orthodox and popular Jewish party, the Pharisees.

THE PHARISEES
The Pharisees were the conservative group of Jewish leaders but they were not always spiritually inclined. They always wanted to maintain their "Jewishness" in things religious, social and political. Though they were both externalistic (concerned about their outward appearance of religion) and legalistic (concerned about keeping the letter of the law of Moses rather than the spirit, in which it was intended), they were also concerned about maintaining the teachings of the Jewish faith. They had been the ones to hold the line against the outside rulers who had come in to corrupt the Jewish culture. They were therefore favorites among many Jews in the time of Jesus. They did believe many of the same things Jesus believed, but they did not want some new, upstart leader and group to come in and move the Jews away from their interpretation of traditional Judaism. They would make sure that they were considered the "conservative" group.

THE SADUCEES
The Saducees were the more "liberal" group. They denied the authority of the Old Testament and spiritual existence, and the resurrection. They were major enemies of Jesus and His New Testament Church.

All three groups were seeking to undermine Jesus and His movement. That is why they engaged Jesus in discussions which they thought would discredit Him and even bring State reprisals.

THE PLOT IS CONCEIVED
Matthew 22:15
"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk."
The first thing to notice about this passage is that it is not primarily a teaching on paying taxes. It is a passage showing the trickery and conspiracy used by the Pharisees when they were trying to trap Jesus in His own words. This is not insignificant.

This is vital to the understanding of the passage.
This was not meant to be a declaration of our duty to the State. Maybe we can learn something about our responsibility to the State, but it is secondary to the passage.

Since this was not an honest inquiry into a believers responsibility to the State, Jesus did not answer it primarily as a teaching on the believers responsibility to the State.

It was a very specific question and Jesus gave a very pointed and specific answer.
We err when we make this into something it was not intended to be.

Understanding this first point is essential to understanding the true meaning of the passage.

It is also important to notice that the Pharisees chose a subject which they believed would indict Jesus either in the eyes of the people or the eyes of Rome.
If Jesus answered on one side of the issue, He would disenfranchise Himself from the people; if on the other side of the issue, He would jeopardize Himself with Rome. Since He knew this was the purpose of the question, Jesus did not fall prey to their snare. His answer was clear, but wise. He makes His answer clear to those who were concerned and honest with this issue, but it was not self incriminating.

Matthew 22:16
"And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians."
The Pharisees joined together with the Herodians to entrap Jesus in His own words.
Here is a couple of strange bedfellows. Avowed enemies working in concert to ensnare Jesus. The Muslims have a saying, probably stolen from an older source; "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Since both the Pharisee and the Herodian considered Jesus as their enemy, they became allies against Him. People who have major differences with each other will often overlook their disagreements and join forces when they are trying to defeat a common enemy. The Pharisees and the Herodians were on opposite sides of the question which was about to be posed to Jesus. Whichever way Jesus answered, He would fall into their trap, and both of these opposing parties would benefit, or so they thought.

Matthew 22:16
"And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teaches the way of God in truth, neither cares thou for any man: for thou regards not the person of men."
The Pharisees and Herodians did not have a proper respect for Jesus and His teachings, however, they did recognize Him as a formidable opponent. They came to Him with flattering words to throw Him off guard. Remembering the Trojan Horse affair is what is meant when we are warned, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts." We should be wary of people who speak kindly of Jesus, but do not truly own Him as Lord of their lives.

THE TRAP IS SET
Matthew 22:17
"Tell us therefore, What think thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?"
With this question they planned to trap Jesus with His Own words.

It is very important to notice what question was asked and how it was asked. Keep in mind, the question was being asked by the Pharisees. The Pharisees were very clever and cunning. They were well educated and very knowledgeable in debate. It was important to phrase the question just right or it would lose it's meaning. We make a mistake if we think this is a simple question about paying taxes. It was a well thought out and structured question. We need to understand the historical and cultural background to understand the the answer and meaning Jesus gave.

THE QUESTION WHICH WAS ASKED
Matthew 22:17
"...is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?"

The question was not simply, "Is it lawful to NOT pay tribute to Caesar?" They were not asking if there was a loophole in the Roman Tribute Tax. They did not ask, "Is it lawful to NOT pay taxes?" They were not looking for a way out of paying taxes; Jews paid taxes. These were not the questions. However, the tax which was being addressed in this passage was a very special tax. It was a poll or capitation or head tax which was paid with a specially minted coin. Though the coin could be used in other ways, the use in question had to do with PAYING TRIBUTE TO CAESAR. It is in this use of the coin we find the problem.

Remember, when Roman soldiers conquered an area, the religious and political leaders of that community were required to come to the city square and bow before Caesar's representative, acknowledging Caesar as God. After this, the religions, which had subordinated themselves before Caesar, were allowed to practice their beliefs. Recognizing Caesar as god was essential for conquered people. The Tribute Tax, the Poll Tax, the Head Tax was a tax placed upon conquered people, acknowledging Caesar as god.

In the days of the early Church, when the pledge of allegiance was demanded from the citizenry, the Jews and the Christians would not accept Caesar as god, and they would be executed. This is the way we should understand the importance if this "tax."

Think about it. The question was, IS IT LAWFUL, AM I ALLOWED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO CAESAR? Why would they ask the question that way? There was something special about this tax which made it exceptionally objectionable to the Jews on the basis of the Jewish law.

IS IT LAWFUL TO PAY TRIBUTE TO CAESAR?
The tax in question was not an expensive tax. The tax was paid with a single coin the Denarius. Commentators have given the value of this coin at just a few cents. However, this coin was considered in the Gospels as a day's wages for laborers. This is not as much of a problem as it appears. In the days of my grandfather's youth (circa 1915) a day's wages was about 25 cents.

THE TRAP IS SEEN
Matthew 22:18
"But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?"

Jesus knew the issue at hand was not the paying of taxes. Jesus knew He was being set up. Despite the flattering words which they offered Him, He saw through their ploy. He did not mince words, He called them hypocrites because of their craftiness, trickery.

Matthew 22:19
"Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny."
People think that Jesus used the coin simply as an object lesson. NO! It was more than an object lesson. It was the point on which the whole controversy pivoted. The coin itself was the problem. Jesus asked for someone to bring Him the coin (Mark 12:15) and then He had someone show it to the crowd.

Matthew 22:20
"And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?"
Jesus asked for a Denarius to be handed to Him. He then asked those around Him who's image and superscription were on the coin. It was Tiberius Caesar. The royal line of Emperors had started with Julius Caesar and continued through his adoptive son, Octavius, called Augustus and was later passed, in turn, to his stepson Tiberius. There seems to have been different superscriptions on the different tribute coins, but they all made the same kind of declaration. These Caesars were either referred to as, “god" or as, "the son of god.”

Most financial transactions in history had been made with measured amounts of gold, silver, grain, wine, oil or some other commodity. As time went by, the precious metals were formed into bracelets, or some other convenient object from which parts could be removed and used in payment. Eventually (circa 540 B.C.) coins were minted, sometimes with the value stamped on them. The Jews did not mint coins until about 100 B.C. Oftentimes the head of the ruler of a region was printed on the coin with other symbolic art work. Being an occupied country, Judah had used coins from the Persians, Greeks and Romans. This Denarius was the Roman coin used for "Tribute" tax. The coin had gone through changes with the changing of Emperors of the Roman Empire. This tribute coin carried the image of Tiberius Caesar.

THE REAL QUESTION
Do you now see where the real problem was with paying the Tribute money? The more conservative Jews had a problem giving tribute of any kind to any occupying government, but the major problem in this case was using a coin that bore the image of a man who claimed to be god, and the superscription on the coin declared his deity. This was a violation of the cornerstone of Israel's religion.

The first of the Ten Commandments forbade the recognizing of other gods. This prohibited having any other gods at all (besides, before, alongside, with).
Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

The second of the Ten Commandments forbade the forming of "graven" images for the purpose of worshiping and serving.
Exodus 20:4-5 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God"

And the most important passage in the Old Testament to the Jews declared that there is only One God.
Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"

I did not always understand why this question asked of Jesus was so "tricky." But that is because I was looking at it from a Gentile point of view. I was looking at it from a modern point of view. I was looking at it as if it was a question about "taxes." I couldn't have been more wrong. This was a very important and basic question concerning the very Person and Nature of the Only True God.

NOW, REMEMBER THE QUESTION?
"Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?"

IS IT LAWFUL? “Are we Jews even allowed to deal with this unclean coin?” It posed a problem of gargantuan proportions.

If Jesus responded by saying, "Yes, it is lawful to pay the Tribute Coin," He would be going against the most basic and important of all Jewish beliefs and would alienate Himself from a major portion of Israel. Jesus could not say yes to this question, because “yes” was the wrong answer.”

If He said, "No, it is not lawful to pay the Tribute Coin," He would be guilty of insurrection against Rome.

The Pharisees and the Herodians had planned well. It was no simple "tax" question.

Now we come to the part of the event which will be even more difficult for some of you to accept, because it will go against everything you have ever heard from your favorite preachers.

JESUS ANSWERS THE QUESTION
When Jesus asked whose image was on the coin, Matthew 22:21 "They say unto him, Caesar's..."

This statement is usually explained by saying that Jesus made a clear declaration that we should all pay our taxes. This passage is not a lesson on Christian duties to the State. It is a response to a "trick" question which involved Jewish law.

The question was not concerned with the simple use of the coin, but with the use of this coin in Paying TRIBUTE to CAESAR. It was a form of honoring Caesar as God. With this in mind let's see if we can find the true meaning to His answer.

Those around Jesus acknowledged Caesar's image on the coin. That, after all, was the point of the question. Jesus then said,
Matthew 22:21
"Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Ceasar's; and unto God the things that are God's"
Do you see it? Is it not totally clear? Well, maybe and maybe not. So, exactly where did Jesus say, “YES, PAY YOUR TAXES?” Nowhere! He did not say any such thing.

Instead Jesus told them that if they have something which belongs to Caesar, render it to him. It is even questionable if all the people present possessed or even trafficked in the Tribute Coin. Certainly there were Jews that did not participate in "Giving Tribute to Caesar, and it appears that Jesus did not have this coin on His own Person." Since there were some in that day who did not, it is safe to say that some of those present did not. After all, He had to ask for a coin to be brought and then shown to the people. Those who dealt with the coin had an obligation, those who did not have the coin did not have an obligation. It was reminiscent of His statement concerning the sword,
Matthew 26:52 "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

REMEMBER, THIS PASSAGE IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT TAXES, IT IS ABOUT TRIBUTE TO DEITY. If a person was willing to recognize the deity of Caesar he should serve Caesar and pay the Tribute Tax. A person is a slave to the one he recognizes as his master. If a person is willing to recognize Caesar as god, he should render to Caesar his due. If a person is willing to honor Caesar as his god then he should serve his god. But for those who refuse to defile themselves with the Tribute Coin, they should render to God the honor and tribute which belongs to God. Those who refuse to recognize Caesar as God and refuse to honor him as God, they are not obligated to serve him as God.

I realize not many people will accept this position. Some are saying, "Ah Ha! he is just looking for a way out of paying taxes." No. We are commanded to pay our taxes, but not from this passage. The answer Jesus gave did not force the faithful Jews to defile themselves with the Tribute Coin or the act of rendering Tribute to Caesar, an act of worship. Those who chose to accepted the supreme authority of Caesar would pay the Tribute Tax.

Jesus gave an answer that put the whole issue in perspective; that is, "Choose ye this day whom you will serve." That is why the people,
Matthew 22:22
"When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way."

THE ANSWER WAS WISER THAN THE QUESTION
He answered them in such a way that no one could fault Him. He had not fallen into their trap by saying, "Yes" or "No."

Of course, most people today, who have never considered the facts of the passage, are totally sure what His answer was and what He meant with His answer.

Remember, this is not a study to excuse not paying of taxes, this is a study to show that Matthew. 22 is not proof that we owe everything to the State. We can say the passage means whatever we want it to mean, but it actually means what it means and that is all.

SUMMARY
The Pharisees (fundamentalist Jews) devised a trick question, to indict Jesus. They wanted Jesus to say either "Yes" or "No" to a question that would either align Him with the God of the Jews or with the Roman Government, who honored Caesar as God.

The Pharisees joined with the Herodians (politically/secular oriented Jews) in their conspiracy to trick and trap Jesus into rejecting either Judaism or Caesar.

They did not ask Jesus if they should pay taxes.

They did not ask if they should pay taxes to Rome.

They did not ask if it was good to pay taxes to Rome.

THEY ASKED IF IT WAS LAWFUL, PERMITTED, ALLOWED FOR A JEW TO PAY THE TRIBUTE TAX TO ROME.

Jesus saw their wickedness and trickery.

Jesus called their ploy a "temptation," a snare.

Jesus called them hypocrites, since they were asking a question, in order to trap Jesus, rather than asking a question because they were seeking wise counsel.

Jesus asked for someone to bring Him a Denarius, the coin used in paying Tribute to Caesar.

When the coin was brought to Him, Jesus asked whose image and superscription were on it.

The Denarius had the head of Tiberius Caesar and a superscription that declared Caesar's deity.

The Pharisees, Herodians, all Israelites and Jesus knew that polytheism was condemned by God.

They also knew that graven images were condemned by God.

Jesus was being asked to either accept or condemn the use of the Tribute Coin, the Denarius as a payment to Caesar's deity.

Jesus simply said to render to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God, that which is God's.

JESUS DID NOT SAY, "Yes, pay Tribute" or "You must pay Tribute" or "You are allowed to pay Tribute."

The questioners did not get the clear and open answer they had hoped for.

The questioners did not get an answer that approved the paying of Tribute to Caesar.

The questioners were actually amazed at His answer. Jesus did not deny or betray the basics of Judaism with His answer.

There would have been no reason to "be amazed" at His answer, if Jesus either said, "Yes" or "No."

If we interpret this passage loosely we stand the chance of dishonoring God. We should not accept an interpretation just because it is widely held or long standing if it does not agree with the context.

Though this document has almost 4200 words, I realize it does not cover every point fully. I will be glad to respond to questions or statements relating to this passage. I may make additions or adjustments where I have failed to make my position clear. Thank you for taking the time to read this article.