Matthew 22:20

Context of Matthew 22:20

This verse is a pivotal moment in one of Jesus' most famous encounters with His adversaries. The Pharisees and Herodians, typically at odds, conspired to trap Jesus with a politically charged question: "Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:17). If Jesus said yes, He would alienate the Jewish population who resented Roman occupation and taxation. If He said no, He would be accused of sedition against Rome. Instead of directly answering, Jesus asked them to show Him the tribute money, and then posed this counter-question, drawing attention to the very coin that represented the Roman authority they were discussing.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Wisdom in Questioning: Jesus' response demonstrates His profound wisdom and ability to navigate complex traps. By asking "Whose is this image and superscription?", He shifts the focus from a simple yes/no answer to the underlying principles of authority and ownership. This approach highlights His unparalleled insight, proving difficult for His enemies to counter.
• Authority and Possession: The presence of Caesar's "image" and "superscription" on the coin visually declared his authority and ownership over it. This sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching in Matthew 22:21, where He distinguishes between rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.
• Exposing Hypocrisy: The very act of the Pharisees and Herodians possessing and using the Roman denarius for transactions exposed their own engagement with the system they questioned Jesus about. Jesus' question subtly highlighted their own complicity and the hypocrisy of their challenge.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses two significant terms here:

• Image (Greek: eikōn - εἰκών): This refers to a likeness or representation. The Roman denarius, a common coin of the time, would have borne the portrait of Emperor Tiberius Caesar. This term is also profoundly significant in the Bible as humanity is created in God's eikōn or image (Genesis 1:27).
• Superscription (Greek: epigraphē - ἐπιγραφή): This denotes an inscription or writing on the coin. The denarius would have had titles and declarations identifying Caesar, often including claims of divinity (e.g., "Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus"). This inscription asserted Caesar's authority and often his perceived divine status, which was blasphemous to Jewish sensibilities.

Practical Application

Matthew 22:20, though a simple question, sets the foundation for a profound teaching on our dual citizenship – earthly and heavenly. It encourages us to:

• Discern Motives: Like Jesus, we should strive to look beyond the surface of challenging questions or situations and understand the underlying motives or principles at play.
• Understand Authority: The verse prompts us to consider different spheres of authority – civil government and divine authority. Understanding where our ultimate allegiance lies is crucial for Christian living.
• Live Wisely in the World: Jesus' handling of this trap provides a model for how believers can engage with the world's systems while maintaining their fidelity to God. We are called to be in the world but not of it, discerning how to appropriately respect earthly authorities while prioritizing God's will.