Paying
taxes. While an obligation / a responsibility, how many of us really like to do that? It's a common
complaint heard in places far and wide. There's a constant "tax" pinch
(or so it seems), and the pinch squeezes harder over time.
This
"tax" pinch was a harsh reality in Palestine. The Jewish people were
up against the wall, especially those who lived hand-to-mouth. Mandatory taxes
were collected which went to Rome. How would you feel, if your taxes supported
your oppressors? Or if you knew your hard-earned coins went to maintain pagan
temples or the luxurious lives of the upper class?
As we
delve into these five verses, let's review a bit of history. Prior to his death
in 4 BC, Herod the Great -- who had considered himself "King of the Jews"
-- ruled all of Palestine as a Roman tributary king. Once he died, his kingdom
was divided into three -- for his sons: Antipas, Philip and Archelaus. For a
view of Palestine in the time of Jesus, here's a link: Historical Map.
Notice on
the map the tetrarchy of Antipas and Philip. But where is the tetrarchy of Archelaus?
Well,... after several years, Rome removed Archelaus as a ruler and replaced
him with a Roman governor. What once was a tributary kingdom became a province.
Don't be fooled by the transition though. A tributary was one of submission, under
pressure. The shift to a province was an administrative maneuver -- as well
to offset unrest among the people. Military might increased.
An
example of unrest (Acts 5:37) was Judas the Galilean who in 6-7
AD organized a movement to worship God alone and refused to pay taxes to
Caesar. [i] Yet this movement wasn't
just a protest; it became violent. Why? Because those who had little, which
constituted the large majority of people, were left with even less. The
pressure was unbearable.
Three
taxes were being imposed: a ground tax, income tax and poll tax. The ground tax was paid in part with money
and in-kind (one-tenth of all grain and one-fifth of the wine and fruit
produced). The income tax was one percent
of a man's income. The poll tax (also
known as the census tax) was levied on all men from 14 years of age to 65, and
all women from 12 years of age to 65. [ii] It sent Judas the
Galilean over the edge.
How did
Rome act in response to the movement? They crushed it. I'm sure you can guess
how that ended for Judas the Galilean. All who followed the movement scattered.
Cut to:
Jesus at the temple teaching the crowds. The tension is building though, as
Jesus is not making friends in high places -- deemed as a threat. Two radically
different groups -- one religious, the other political -- come together to form
an alliance, at least for the moment. Consider it an alliance of convenience.
On the
one hand, the Pharisees wanted Jewish theocracy restored -- for God to be
recognized as the head of the state. They also opposed taxes being paid to Rome.
On the other hand, the Herodians (extreme nationalists) fully supported the tax
laws yet desired for the current Roman leadership to step down and be replaced
by a descendant of Herod. Talk about an unsettling
alliance. For these two groups to come together, they must have really wanted
to get rid of Jesus, and how!
Their
approach to Jesus begins with flattery. Disarm and then corner him with a
question as to whether one should pay the tribute. If Jesus states the tribute (tax)
is to be paid, he'll be labeled a traitor and disloyal. His power over the
people will cease post-haste. If Jesus states the tribute shouldn't be paid,
he'll be labeled a revolutionary, arrested and sentenced to death. Rome would
crush him like Judas the Galilean.
Treason
versus disloyalty. The scenario was seen as a win-win by the Pharisees and the
Herodians.
Jesus
responds to their question with a request, "Show me a denarius." This
silver coin, minted under the Roman Emperor's authority, was the value of a
day's wage for a Roman soldier. [iii] Another way to view the
coin was in relation to the poll tax. The Romans counted all the citizens to
determine who would pay the poll tax, which was... one denarius, [iv] and how much would be
collected.
The crowd
of commoners could easily relate to the impact of the denarius and their Roman
oppressors. The coin held power and it validated those who ruled.
Side Note -- Isn't it interesting that Jesus
didn't possess a coin?
"Whose
image is on this coin?" "Caesar's" -- who at the time was Tiberius,
otherwise known as Tiberius Caesar Augustus. All Roman Emperor's were called
Caesar.
With a simple
yet powerful statement, Jesus avoids the trap. "Give Caesar what is his,
and give God what is his." He silences this alliance against him, which
sends both groups away embarrassed and further frustrated. Their resentment
against Jesus deepens.
Yet...
how easy it is to overlook what this statement means. Jesus didn't even provide
a Cliff Notes version to lay out what
was to be given to Caesar and what was to be given to God.
What
could Jesus have meant? Possibly...
* The
ruling government rules your body (physical) -- having civil power. God rules
your heart and mind (soul) -- having religious power.
* If you
live under the rule of Caesar, you are obligated to pay the tax owed him. That
is a "divine" obligation.
* If you
receive benefits, your responsibility is to follow-through with appropriate
payment. To give back.
Jesus' words
are for deep reflection. While Caesar's image was on the coin, what about God's
image? What is that on? Was the coin viewed as idolatrous since it had the
image of Tiberius' face on it? How might Jesus' statement threaten tithing at
the temple?
Give back. Marc * emphatically shared with the
study group, "If you're going to believe Jesus and in what he says, you
have to serve." That's your give
back.
Give back. A stronger, more subversive view of
Jesus was presented by Leah *. "He was telling those in power to give back the land to the Jews." Give back to God what is God's.
Two
things further in closing: a question and a prayer.
"What
belongs to God that we should give back
to God?"
The
following prayer was incorporated into a recent worship service at Hollywood
United Methodist Church. It was timely in how we may give back.
Gracious God, you have called us to
be conformed to the image of Christ. Inspire us by his love and guide us by his
example. Help us to embrace the world you have given us, that we may transform
its darkness into light, its pain into joy, and its hatred into love. For we
ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
NEXT
Strike
one -- the Pharisees, strike two -- the Herodians, and the next pitch -- the
Sadducees!
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