Mark wrote how, “ they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that you are true, and care for no man: for you regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt you me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he said unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's”, and in chapter twelve and verse seventeen of his book, Mark shared how Jesus answered, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's” where we read:
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.
The verse reads, “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, ...”. Mark began with the words, “and Jesus answering” which means “and the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate responding and beginning to speak” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the Pharisees and Herodians”, “Render to Caesar” which means “deliver, discharge and pay off that which is due” “the things that are Caesars” or “the taxes and tribute that belongs to the surname of Julius Caesar, which adopted by Octavius Augustus and his successors afterwards became a title, and was appropriated by the Roman emperors as part of their title whose name means severed”. Mark shared how Jesus told the “Pharisees and Sadducees” they should “deliver and give over” to “Caesar” the “taxes and tribute” that belongs to him.
The verse goes on to say, “and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him.” Mark added the words, “and to God” which means “and to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “the things that are God's” or “that which belongs to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. “And they” which refers to the “Pharisees and Herodians” “marveled at him” which means “wondered and admired Jesus”. Mark shared how the “Pharisees and Herodians” were to “deliver over and give” to “God” that which is His, and they were in “wonder” at Jesus after He said this.
When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus responded to the question concerning “paying taxes or tribute” to Caesar by telling them to “give” “Caesar” that which is his and give to “God” that which belongs to Him. The implication is that people should “pay taxes and tribute” to their governing authorities, but it also means people should pay “tribute” to other people who are made in the “image” of God. God made men in His image, and His desire is to have a loving personal relationship with every one of them through His Son Jesus. God provided “governing authorities” to protect, keep order and rule over societies, and those agencies need funds to operate. Jesus said, pay tribute, but do not forget to “render” to people who are made in God's image that which they are due as well.
Next time Mark shares, “then come unto him the Sadducees” 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.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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