Luke 20:20-26 (Matt. 22:15-22; Mk. 12:13-17)

It is Tuesday, according to the traditional (Friday) understanding of crucifixion day.  Jesus has condemned Israel’s shepherds in the previous parables.  The leaders won’t take this lying down.  They could lose their position of power (John 11:48) and the people’s support (Lk. 20:19).  So what could they do?  

Behind the scenes they were plotting to get rid of Him completely but not until after Passover.  But as the throngs gathered the situation was becoming worse.  So the plan was to try to catch Jesus in debate, using issues to try to marginalize Him in some way.  Raising these types of questions was a standard approach to dealing with rabbis.  (Note the three questions in Matt. 22: 17, 25-28, 36).

The first question was an attempt to make Jesus take a political position.  The Herodians (mentioned only here in the Gospels) were a Jewish pro-Herod political party.  The Pharisees disagreed with them but were happy to have them debate with Jesus in hopes of tricking Him.  Their question had been the basis for the revolt of Judas of Galilee in 6AD that led to the creation of several political groups labeled Zealots in the Gospels.  So the question was: Jesus, do you side with the Herodians or the Zealots?  Do we pay tax to Rome or not?

These men are spies as Dr. Luke points out.  Each Synoptic writer uses a different term to describe their hearts: wickedness (Mt. 22:18), hypocrisy (Mk. 12:15) and craftiness (Lk. 20:23).  Bottom line is they are deceitful and Jesus knows it.  He knows it because He was not a man-pleaser.  We can be fooled by people if we are just trying to win over the crowds.  But if we are led by the Holy Spirit we will have the wisdom Jesus had as He faced these men.

Jesus’ answer was not just a debate tactic.  What He said expressed important truths for us today.  He recognizes that we are pilgrims, temporary residents on earth who must live under the God-given authority of the nations.  We are, in fact, citizens of Heaven.  Thus He tells us that we must not allow our lives to become consumed with the debate tactics of this world.  We are soldiers of the Cross, even if we happen to serve in the military of our nation.

Briefly let us note from the Scriptures what we are to render to Caesar.

• ·        1 Peter 2:13,17: submission, honor.
• ·        1 Tim. 2:1-2: supplication, prayer, intercession AND thanksgiving to God.
• ·        Rom. 13:7: taxes, custom, fear and honor.

As for what is God’s, that will come later in the question about the greatest commandment.  For now let us understand that political allegiance, even to a pagan state, is not incompatible with devotion to God.  Let us also note that with Jesus’ answer to this question those who asked marveled and then went on their way.  They did not follow Him!  Thus it is with those who are satisfied with arguing politics but fail to reckon with the One who will reign over the Nations.