Slide 2:
13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to entrap him in his talk.
14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
15 Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a coin, and let me look at it.”
16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were amazed at him.
Slide 3:
The likeness of Tiberius Caesar and inscription on the coin, which was valued as a daily wage, represent the person of Caesar .
The Latin inscription “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus” was around the coin’s edge.
On the back side of the coin was a picture of the Roman goddess of peace, Pax, with the Latin inscription “High Priest.” By carrying that very coin and not a shekel, a Jewish coin, they showed a willingness to participate in the Roman social order.
Pharisees and Herodians :
Pharisees and Herodians The Pharisees were primarily a religious group concerned with ritual purity.
The Herodians were a Jewish political group that approved of Herod’s compromises with Rome.
Normally, the Pharisees and Herodians had nothing to do with each other.
The Pharisees did not like Jesus because he exposed their hypocrisy. The Herodians had lost political control when Rome deposed Herod’s son and replaced him with a Roman governor.
The Herodians also saw Jesus as a threat because people wanted to make him the king and they wanted another Herod family member placed on the throne.
Caesar’s Taxes :
Caesar’s Taxes Anyone who avoided paying taxes faced harsh penalties.
The Jews hated to pay taxes to Rome because their money supported their oppressors and was a symbol of their subjection.
Much of the tax money also went to maintaining the pagan temples and a luxurious life-style of Roman upper class.
12:14 Yes or No! :
12:14 Yes or No! The Pharisees and Herodians hoped to trap Jesus with this tax question.
Either a yes or a no could lead Jesus into trouble.
A “yes” would mean he supported Rome, which would turn the people against him.
A “no” would allow them to bring accusations of treason and rebellion against Him and that could lead to death.