In Matthew 22, the Pharisees and Herodians thought they had Jesus backed into a corner. They asked Him a trap question: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” If Jesus said “Yes,” the people would see Him as a supporter of their oppressive Roman rulers. If He said “No,” the Romans could arrest Him for treason. Whatever Jesus said would have immediately caught the attention of ordinary people for the following reasons.
In first-century Palestine, the daily economic reality for ordinary people was defined by survival. Scholars estimate that anywhere from 70% to 90% of the population lived at near the survival level, with a significant portion suffering from severe poverty and destitution.
One of the factors that made their lives so harsh and destitute was ‘Triple tax burden’ imposed on ordinary peasant families. First, there was ‘Roman imperial taxes. The Roman government demanded direct land taxes (paid in crops like grain, wine, and oil) and poll taxes (a head tax on individuals). Not just this, but they also levied indirect tolls on roads, harbors, and city gates for moving goods.
Then, there were local rulers. Local kings like Herod the Great and his sons imposed heavy taxes to fund massive building projects and maintain their luxury lifestyles And then, there were Jewish Religious Obligations: According to the Mosaic Law, Jews were expected to give tithes (about 10–20% of their produce) to support the Levites and priests, along with an annual Temple tax for the maintenance of the Jerusalem Temple.
When combined, these total demands could take 30% to 50% or more of a peasant farmer’s annual produce—leaving barely enough food to feed a family through the winter.
This context so mattered in the Gospels and Jesus’ teaching and his actions: such as Jesus’ Lord Prayer that said, “Give us this day our daily bread,’ or ‘forgive us our debts’. And the parables of debt and land, and the clearing of the temple were born out of those harsh economic situations at Jesus’ time.
Getting back to the reading from Matthew today, instead of taking the bait, Jesus asked for a coin and posed a simple question of His own: “Whose image and inscription is this?” When they answered, “Caesar’s,” Jesus gave a response that completely reframed the conversation. He said, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” How do we make sense of this today?
We live in a world that constantly demands our attention, money, time, and loyalty. We pay taxes, pay bills, and participate in political and economic systems every single day. Jesus doesn’t tell us to run away from these earthly responsibilities.
When Jesus asked, ‘Whose image is on the coin?’ He had a far deeper question he had in mind to every believer: ‘Then whose image is on your heart?’ In a single moment, he turns our gaze from our wallets to our souls, and our committed relationship with God in everyday environment.
What Jesus really wanted to say was this. ‘A coin might carry an emperor’s picture, but you carry God’s image. You were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).’ The world can have the temporary currency, but your heart, your soul, and your identity belong entirely to your God, your Creator.
Then, how should we live out the distinction? What does carrying the image of God inside look like in our daily lives? You see, money, politics, and worldly status are tools for this life, not the ultimate purpose of it for God’s children. Yes. Give the world what belongs to it, but do not let it control your faith and decide your value as believers.
God isn’t simply looking for a piece of your paycheck. He wants you, and he wants you to know you belong to Him. When you love others, serve your community, and make choices rooted in faith, you are rendering to God what is already His. This is the life, a new way of life, that Jesus established on his cross and resurrection for all his followers.
Remember where your identity lies. Remember who really you are. Human leaders put their faces on money. Governments stamp their power on coins. But God has stamped His divine image on your soul, and there is nothing in the world, that can damage that image at all. You don’t belong to the world. You belong to God forever. Amen.
