Trapped

Bible In A Year | Read: Luke 20

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent. Luke 20:20-26

Overview of Chapter

The Pharisees show their true nature here; they are more interested in people’s opinions than in knowing the truth. Jesus follows up with a story about servants who are unfaithful to their master. The story sums up the relationship between God and the Pharisees. They are leaders among the people, but are rejecting Jesus, the Master’s Son. Rather than turn from their rejection, as Zacchaeus did, they and some other leaders, called the Sadducees, continue trying to trap him into saying something the people won’t like.

The Pharisees weren’t purposely trying to oppose God; they were so blinded by their strongly held beliefs they couldn’t see they were wrong. We need to be open to the teachings of the Bible so we don’t make the mistake of holding onto a belief that is wrong.

Thoughts on the verses

In this passage, we see the wisdom of Christ as He answers more questions designed to trap Him and have Him condemn himself (v. 20).The first question is about the Roman poll tax (vv. 21–26), which was about a day’s wage. Jews hated it because it was a daily reminder that they were in captivity to a godless foreign power. If Jesus were to say, “Yes, pay it”, He would turn the people against Him, but if He were to say, “Don’t pay it”, then He would be an enemy of Rome. Through His answer, Jesus shows us the relationship between spiritual power and secular power.

The coin bears Caesar’s image, which marks it as belonging to him, just like every human being bears the image of God, and so we belong to God. Jesus demonstrates that we have obligations to the government while also affirming God’s sovereignty over everything and everyone.

As Christians, we pay taxes, honor our rulers, and seek the peace and prosperity of our nation. Yet we are also aliens and exiles, and must give our first allegiance to the King of Kings, who gives us the authority to preach the gospel and make disciples.

Action Steps

Bible: What is God showing me?  What am I going to do about it? 

Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.

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