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Matthew 22:15
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13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot,1 take him away, and cast him ainto outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  
14 a“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

15 aThen the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.  
16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the aHerodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not1 regard the person of men.  
17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18 But Jesus1 perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?  
19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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<< Matthew 22:14   Matthew 22:16 >>

What Does Matthew 22:15 Mean?



Matthew 22:15-22

Though people in the world heard what Jesus taught, marveling at it (Matthew 7:28-29), they did not believe what He said. Moreover, He intentionally taught principles in the form of parables so that they would not understand, but His disciples understood because He opened their minds (Matthew 13:10-17). His message, we can conclude, was not directed at the world at all.

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar, He replies, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” He points out a clear distinction between God's Kingdom and the nations of the world: They have authority here on earth now and should be obeyed, but they were given that authority by God (Romans 13:1). He, then, is the ultimate authority. Though Jesus paid taxes to them (Matthew 17:24-27), His first loyalty was to God. As He said, we should follow Him.

Martin G. Collins
Would Jesus Christ Vote? (Part Two)

Related Topics: Distinction between God's Kingdom and World | God as Ultimate Authority | Purpose of Parables | Rendering to Caesar | Would Jesus Vote?


 
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