Is it Lawful to Give to Caesar? - Luke 20:22

The beloved physician Luke wrote concerning Jesus, “the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 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 you say and teach rightly, neither accept you the person of any, but teach the way of God truly”, and in chapter twenty and verse twenty-two of his book Luke shared how the religious leaders ask Jesus, “is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” where we read:

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

The verse reads, “Is it lawful for us ...” Luke began with the words, “is it lawful” or “is it right” “for us” which means “that we Jewish people” to do the following. Luke shared how the “spies” sent by the “chief priests and scribes” appealed to what is “right” or according to the law for them to do when considering the next act.

The verse continues, “... to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” Luke added the words, “to give tribute” or “to grant, bestow, furnish or supply annual taxes upon houses, lands or persons or goods and travel” “unto Caesar” which means “to Caesar which means severed and was a reference to the Roman emperor which was adopted by Octavius Augustus and his successors afterwards became a title and was appropriated by the Roman emperors as part of their title”, “or no” or “or not and in no way”? Luke shared how the “spies” continued their question to Jesus by including whether they should be “paying taxes” to the Roman government or not.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how these “spies” sent by the “religious leaders” were attempting to ask Jesus a question that would either get Him into trouble with the Roman government or with the people who hated paying taxes to them. Jesus will unveil their deceit in the next verse, but suffice it for now for us to consider that Jesus knows all things and nothing is too difficult for Him to answer. These “spies” were asking a dishonest question because their purpose was to “trip up” Jesus in His words and not to discover whether they were to “pay tribute” or not. God desires to have a loving, truthful relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield to Him rather than question Him with dishonest motives, He will forgive them of their sins and grant them everlasting life with Him. Let all who consider the question of the “spies” concerning “paying taxes” understand there is a greater question as to whom they shall give an account of their lives.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus, “perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, why tempt you me?”, 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".