Scripture Focus: 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him (Mark 12:17; read 13-1).
Introduction
Politicians are often ridiculed for being seemingly unwilling or unable to give a straight answer. Jesus is no politician, but is he taking a similar tact here?
In Mark 12:13-17 we read of the third of six controversies Jesus finds himself in while walking in the temple courts (11:27). These questions and controversies raised by the religious leaders are not asked in a contextless vacuum; neither are they bona fide attempts to understand Jesus. In our text today Mark tells us they were trying to “catch/trap him in his words.” Jesus knew their intent, and so refused to throw pearls before swine. The reason his reply is so brief is because he knows they aren’t looking for truth, but to try to find grounds for his arrest and silencing.
The brevity of his answer has roiled debate over the centuries, with thoughtful remarks made on either side of whether Jesus is actually sanctioning participation in government or a veiled critique of it. We recall Mark’s gospel begins with Jesus proclaiming that a new king and new kingdom is breaking onto the scene: what Jesus calls the good news. The God of the universe has now come in the flesh, and all priorities are to be reordered accordingly.
Israel’s own history contained rebellion and revolt at various times (Acts 5:37; 1 Macc. 2). Rather than playing into these various responses, Jesus expands the whole discussion onto the God-sized playing field. Give back to Caesar what belongs to him, and give back to God what belongs to him. What belongs to Caesar that isn’t God’s? What belongs to God that isn’t Caesar’s?
Some Background
Rome had levied tribute upon Israel since 63 BC under Pompey. After Herod I was installed as king of Judea in 40 BC this tribute continued, while Herod maintained strong affinities for Greco-Roman culture. As the situation crumbled into chaos upon Herod’s death, Judea fell into direct control of Rome in 6 BC, a situation intolerable to many Jews.
This precipitated the revolt led by Judas the Galilean, who called his fellow Jews “cowards for paying tribute to Rome.” (Josephus, War, 2.118; Acts 5:37) Decades later, the controversy loomed large as Jesus was asked this question: Do you agree to accept taxation under Rome, delighting the Herodians but scandalizing many Jews, or do you reject the taxation, delighting the Zealots and many Jews, but incurring the punishment of Rome?
Questions
What did you hear in this morning’s message that stood out to you? What was interesting, important, or confusing?
Do you find Jesus’ short reply here frustrating? Why or why not?
If you are honest with yourself, where would you say your primary allegiances truly lie?
How are we to be responsible citizens as Christians while not conflating our nation (or any nation) with the sum total of God’s kingdom?
Reflections
In a political and cultural climate that is fraught in many ways similar to Jesus’ time, we are also faced with a growing polarization. This all the while that the average person on the street is doing their best to live their life, feed their family, deal with their own brokenness. Peter and Paul would later articulate Jesus’ people are to live respectably and honorably in whatever circumstances of government they face, while being willing to suffer for their primary allegiance whenever necessary. How do we as Kingdom people live out this primary allegiance in our taxes, voting, living, serving and worship? How might we see a God-sized world rather than an American-sized one?