Again, context is everything. These two groups were not natural allies.
The Herodians supported the “rule of Herod” who cooperated with the Roman rulers and oppressors – and he was actually given his authority by them. Herod was in Rome’s pocket. He was their puppet, their stooge, their lackey and their pawn…
The Pharisees on the other hand, we know too well. They were the “legalists” among the Jewish leaders. Quite obviously they believed that “their interpretation” of the law was the only correct one. When they spoke about Laws, the meant Torah, the first five books, the Pentateuch…they meant all 613 Jewish laws. The Books of Moses.
So effectively – when these two groups hook up to confront Jesus, they are “each choosing” to completely set aside their own individual differences to attack one very “common enemy.”
The “religious” Pharisees and the “secular or worldly” Herodians made strange-bed-fellows.
Both groups desire Jesus “gone.”
Jesus is their common enemy. Their goal is to take him down, to squash the threat that he represents. And, to do so immediately…
Just so you are aware, the Herodians had no problem with the Roman coinage, because they were, after all, allied with Rome. As long as Rome ruled – so did they! Their power came directly from Rome.
The Pharisees would have regarded such coins as being “idolatrous.” They contained the image of Tiberius Caesar on them – who was considered “divine” and a “god” by the Romans. This one coin broke the first two commandments!
The question asked by them was intended to back Jesus into a corner – that he could never get out of. Back – against the wall. Nowhere to move, no- where to go, no wiggle room…
That Jesus (or anyone) could cleverly avoid their trap is a miracle in and of itself. It was the perfect set-up!
Jesus knew what he was saying – and he knew exactly what he was doing. Jesus was no fool.
He was not about to be – outwitted by them! Not on this day!
It was a hostile atmosphere and a hostile environment…there was no sincerity there. The false flattery smelled of hypocrisy. It is all about entanglement and entrapment…and of course, Jesus was to be the one, trapped and entangled.
Jesus’ response is ingenious and clever. Jesus “does not lose face.” As a matter of fact in the confrontation with two powerful rival groups – Jesus’ authority, honor and fame – could only grow from here. He will be more honored and more respected as a result of this confrontation. They are the ones to lose face – they are the ones to lose both honor and respect. Public shame will later be voiced about them.
And of course, the cool thing, the really neat thing about what Jesus did here – is that he forced them…he confronted them…he coerced them…
The Pharisees and the Herodians to consider what is it…that they give to Caesar and … what it is …that they give to God.
So, I started thinking about that…and then I realized…it is not just them…for almost two thousand years now…
He has been forcing thousands upon thousands of people – throughout the ages to consider what they give to Caesar and what they give to God…
And lo and behold the light bulb went on like some kind of new revelation, that we too are being challenged…
What is it that we give to Caesar…and what is it that we give to God?
Amazing isn’t it? All these many years later and down through the ages and Jesus is still challenging us?
Very much like the Jews in first century – Palestine, we too, pay a lot of taxes… for them there was a temple tax, land taxes, custom taxes, trade taxes and the most despised of all was called the “Imperial Tax.” The Imperial Tax was required as a tribute to support the Roman Empire’s occupation of Israel. Think about that one for a moment — they were forced to pay a yearly tax to support their own oppression.
We pay so many taxes on a daily basis that we are not even aware of all the taxes that we pay. Most of us, don’t even think about it…but it is mind boggling, just the same. And of course, the biggest is the one that is due every year on April 15th!
But in comparison, what is it that we give to God?
Think about it!