Luke 20:20-26

The Second Test: Is It Lawful To Give Tribute To Caesar? (20:20-26).

In the chiasmus of the Section this challenge parallels the challenge concerning His authority (Luke 20:1). Sneakily they seek to take advantage of His claim to speak with authority by trapping Him into subversive remarks that can then be passed on to the Roman Governor as examples of His treasonable behaviour.

In most countries the question would have been fairly easy to answer, but in Israel it was a minefield, for while most reluctantly paid their denarius poll tax they did so because of what would have happened to them and their children if they did not, but they did it with reluctance and with hatred in their hearts.

However, for any prophet to suggest that they should pay it even reluctantly would have been the death knell for any hopes that the prophet had to be listened to. He would be instantly discredited. Prophets were supposed to stand out for what was right, not to give in to expediency (that was for common folk like them).

Analysis.

a They watched Him, and sent out spies, who put on a pretence that they themselves were righteous, in order that they might take hold of His speech, so as to deliver Him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor (Luke 20:20).

b They asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach rightly, and do not accept the person of any, but of a truth teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” (Luke 20:21)

c But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription has it?” And they said, “Caesar's” (Luke 20:23).

b And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (Luke 20:25).

a And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people, and they marvelled at His answer, and held their peace (Luke 20:26).

Note that in ‘a' their aim was to ‘take hold of Him in His speech, and in the parallel we learn that they were unable to take hold of His saying before the people. In ‘b' the question was as to whether it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar, and in the parallel He gave His answer. And centrally in ‘c' He calls on them to produce the coin that He will cite in evidence against them.