The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we
know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in
accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for
you do not regard a person's status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax
to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you
testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census
tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose
image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's."
At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and
to God what belongs to God."
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Reflection:
What belongs to God and what belongs to Caesar?
What belongs to God is everything that we own including this life that we
have. And what belongs to Caesar the roman governor during that time which
represents the government that we have right now? What belongs to Caesar are
the duties and taxes that we are obliged to pay.
The Pharisees were always critical of Jesus because they saw Jesus as a
threat to their dominance. This is the reason why they’d been plotting against
Him (Mt 12:14) and our gospel episode today is part of their elaborate plan.
But Jesus was aware of their dangerous scheme against Him; He
knew their detailed plan to unconscionably kill Him.
So, they ask Jesus this very elementary question: “Is it lawful to
pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" They thought that they
would be able to pin Him down with this question. Since if Jesus would say that
it is lawful the people would get angry with Him. Because paying this tax was
abhorred by the people thus it will harm His reputation as a charismatic
leader. If Jesus would say that it is unlawful then He would be persecuted by
the powerful roman government of that time.
In the minds of the Pharisees it
seems that Jesus has no way out in this situation. But Jesus knew beforehand
about their immoral plan. Therefore He said to them:"Why are you testing me,
you hypocrites! So He asked for the coin used to pay the tax and He said: Whose
image is on the coin? And they said, Caesar! Jesus said to them give to Caesar
what is his and to God what belongs to God and once again Jesus is able to
extricate Himself from this wicked scheming of the Pharisees.
Jesus knows everything what is in our hearts: Our devious and wicked
pretensions. Our plans to use God for our own selfish interest and our many
more evil thoughts, He knows everything about it. In other words, we cannot
hide anything from God and we surely can’t fool HIM.
Jesus knows everything what is in our hearts: Our devious and wicked
pretensions. Our plans to use God for our own selfish interest and our many
more evil thoughts, He knows everything about it. In other words, we cannot
hide anything from God and we surely can’t fool HIM.
Let us also honestly give the tax that is due to the authorities let us
not try to deceitfully avoid it for this is our obligation to the
government. And the most important is we must give God what is rightfully
His. What are these? Let us give help to our church, let us extend help to
the poor in wealth and spirit and most of all, let us give our everything
to God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas