-
PER294
The questions of the Pharisees and the Herodians
The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus by asking him whether one should pay the tax to Caesar. His answer — “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” — foils the trap and establishes the fundamental distinction between civil authority and divine sovereignty, reminding us that man, who bears the image of God, belongs wholly to him.
Luke 20.20-26 (King James Version) :And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no?But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cæsar’s.And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org