Scripture: Luke 20: 20-26; 21: 1-4
Even in the Gospels, it’s all about money. The question that the scribes asked Jesus about paying taxes, and the ‘widow’s mite’
https://youtu.be/6a15qaz29Lc
A tricky question
The Temple leaders asked Jesus a trick question. It played into local Holy Land politics. Should people pay the Roman Emperor’s taxes? Jewish leaders opposed both the Roman occupiers and the puppet King Herod, who collected taxes for the Romans.
However, what really stuck in Jewish throats was the emperor’s claimed to be divine. That was blasphemy. Yet, every Roman coin carried the Emperor’s graven image: a blasphemous piece of propaganda. You saw it every time you used money.
Springing the trap
So, the spies butter Jesus up before asking their question. “Teacher: we know that you are sincere, that you are a man of God, and that you answer peoples’ questions impartially … So, should Jews pay the Emperor’s taxes?”
If Jesus said no to paying the taxes, he’d be in trouble with the Romans. Equally, if he said yes, same thing with the Temple authorities. Looks like a no-win situation. But Jesus turned the tables. “Bring me a coin.” Someone gave him a denarius – a penny.
“Whose image is on the back?” “The emperor’s.” “Then give the emperor what is his, but also give God what is God’s.”
The Greek word used to “give” or “render unto” Caesar [apodote] literally means to give back. So Jesus actually told the spies, “It’s the emperor’s image, so give him back his coin.” And, “If you truly believe that you are made in God’s image, then give yourselves back to God.” Ouch!!
No separation between Temple and secular society
For countless generations the Holy Land had been a theocracy whose laws were set and enforced by the Temple authorities. But the Roman occupation meant that now there were both Temple rules and Roman laws to obey. Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees’ question emphasized the distinction between the secular (Rome) and the spiritual (Temple).
In modern terms we would call it separation of Church and State. But in a theocracy, theological laws and state laws are one and the same. So, in ancient Israel, the Ten Commandments told you not (for example) to steal. Why? Because God said so. Nothing to do with being morally wrong.
Imagine paying your CRA bill in person, in public
Jesus’ answer put his questioners on the wrong foot. But even more so, when he watched what happened at the Temple treasury. Think of it like paying the CRA. But, doing it in person. A poor widow put in two small coins. It was everything she had. For her, much more than rich people who had plenty of money.
Preachers often say how wonderful this woman was. She gave everything she had to the Temple. Therefore, we should emulate her when we contribute to the church. But that turns Jesus’ message upside down. The Temple tax was onerous to poor people because it came out of their rent or grocery money.
No wonder the Temple authorities wanted to get their hands on Jesus. But they will have to wait a couple more days, until Judas provides an opportunity.