Daily Devotional Sunday 12th January 2020
by William Moody
Luke 20:20–26
20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality,1 but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius.2 Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
Footnotes
[1] 20:21
Greek and do not receive a face
[2] 20:24A denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer (ESV)
When someone’s heart is not right, they will be looking for excuses not to obey Jesus. The religious leaders send spies to trap Jesus (v20-21).
Jesus is questioned about paying taxes to the Romans (v22). If Jesus said the people should, He would have been branded a traitor to His nation. If Jesus the people shouldn’t, He could be handed over to the Romans for encouraging rebellion.
Jesus takes a Roman coin and comments on the portrait and inscription (v24). Alongside the picture of Caesar there was an inscription declaring him as divine.
By saying, ‘Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s’, Jesus was teaching that Caesar is to be respected and paid taxes to as governing leader, but in no way is he to receive worship which is due to God alone. We must recognise where loyalty to human authorities is right and where it ends.
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