• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Deeper Christian

Deeper Christian

Christ-Centered Bible Teaching and Resources

  • About
    • About Deeper Christian
    • About NRJohnson
  • Articles
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Bible Studies
    • Jesus in the Old Testament
    • Foundations
    • Bio Sketches
    • Book Reviews
    • Most Recent (Archive)
  • Podcasts + Videos
    • Deeper Christian Podcast
    • Bible Study Series in Ephesians
    • NRJohnson Sermon Podcast
  • Classic Quotes
  • Events
    • Speaking + Preaching
    • Israel Bible Study Tour
    • Discipleship Training
Grow Spiritually

Should We Pay Taxes to Caesar?

NRJohnson Musing • November 3, 2018

With the desire to trap Jesus, the Pharisees propose a question full of political and religious tension—”Should we pay taxes to Caesar?” (Mark 12:13-15).

Jesus spent three years declaring the Kingdom of God has come and everyone who desires to participate must severe their previous ties with the world (see Matthew 16:24-26 and Luke 9:23-26).

In the minds of the religious leaders, this was an easy trap.

But Jesus “knowing their hypocrisy” counters with a question Himself. He asks for a denarius, a coin worth a day’s wage, and then raises the question, “Whose image and inscription is this?” (Mark 12:15-16).

No doubt the Pharisees were a bit confused with where this was going answered “Caesar’s.” To which Jesus responds, “Render to Caesar the thing that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:16-17).

Jesus simply declares that taxes belong to Caesar because his image is on the coin, therefore, give to Caesar what is his. But it is the last part of the verse we tend to miss—”and [give] to God the things that are God’s.”

In the context, it would be have been clear that Jesus was again referring to image. Just as a denarius bore Caesar’s image and therefore belongs to him, so too that which bears God’s image belongs to God.

To a good Jew, Genesis 1:26 would have quickly came to mind—”Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness …'” (also see: Genesis 1:27, 3:22, 5:1, 9:6; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 4:24; and James 3:9).

Not only do we belong to God because He placed His image in us, we are all the more His because we were purchased us back with the price of the life of Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

In an interesting turn of events, Jesus uses the Pharisees’ question of whether or not to pay taxes as a way to continue calling people to the Kingdom of God, reminding them (and us) that they belong to God and therefore should be willing to lay all aside for the sake of the King and the Kingdom.

“If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever will save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His own glory and in the glory of His Father and of the holy angels.” – 

Luke 9:23-26

Know I am cheering you unto that end.

Filed Under: NRJohnson Musings

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, deeperChristian will receive an affiliate commission (with no additional cost to you). It is a great way to support the work and ministry of deeperChristian. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Footer

Key Content

  • Learn How to Grow Spiritually
  • The Blog (Articles)
  • Deeper Christian Podcast
  • Bible Study Series in Ephesians
  • How to Study the Bible
  • Classic Christian Quotes
  • Monthly Book Giveaway
  • Recommended Reading
  • Recommended Bible Resources
  • Contact

Learn More

  • About Deeper Christian
  • About NRJohnson
  • Speaking + Preaching
  • What I’m Reading …
  • Israel Study Tours
  • Statement of Faith
  • Copyright • Permissions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Donate

Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. We equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.

This ministry is maintained by the Lord through the stewardship of those who value it.

Copyright © 2023 deeperChristian.
All rights reserved.