Whose Image and Superscription - Matthew 22:20

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle” Jesus “in his talk. Tell us therefore, What do you think? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why do you tempt me, you hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty of his book Matthew shared how Jesus asked, “whose is this image and superscription?” where we read:

And he said unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and he said” which means “Jesus uttered, declared, proclaimed and questioned” “unto them” which refers to “the disciples of the Pharisees”. Matthew shared how Jesus continued to speak to the Pharisee's disciples.

The verse goes on to say, “... Whose is this image and superscription?” Matthew continued with the word, “whose” which means “who” “is this image” or “is the figure, likeness, representation and resemblance” “and superscription” which means “and inscription and title”? Matthew shared how Jesus asked the Pharisees' disciples who was the person and what was the inscription upon the “denarius” they gave Him.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus continued to answer these disciples of the Pharisees. First, He told them to give Him a “coin”, and next He asked who was person and the title of the one portrayed upon the “coin”. Jesus will continue His answer to the “Pharisees' disciples” in the next verse, and we know He has a plan to respond to their question about paying taxes or not. God desires every person to come to Him through His Son Jesus, and although there may be some doubts with those who question Him, He is more than able to respond in a way that supports His invitation to simply “come”.

Next time Matthew shares how the Pharisees' students answered, “Caesar's” and Jesus responds to them , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.