Giving the right response

Mark 12:13-17 (NLT)
13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin,[c] and I’ll tell you.” 16 When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17 “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.

Matthew Henry wrote the following commentary about these verses above -- The persons (enemies of Christ) they employed were the Pharisees and the Herodians, men that in this matter were contrary to one another, and yet concurred against Christ, v. 13. The Pharisees were great sticklers for the liberty of the Jews, and, if he should say, It is lawful to give tribute to Caesar, they would incense the common people against him, and the Herodians would, underhand, assist them in it. The Herodians were great sticklers for the Roman power, and, if he should discountenance the paying of tribute to Caesar, they would incense the governor against him, yea, and the Pharisees, against their own principles, would join with them in it. It is no new thing for those that are at variance in other things, to join in a confederacy against Christ.


The religious leaders had tried to find anything wrong with Christ that they could and they had failed. Now they plotted to wage Jesus against both religion and politics by asking Him a tax question. However Jesus responded in a way that answered those who were religious and those who were political. Jesus knew where He stood both on religion and politics. God had established government and put it in power and Jesus knew to give an answer that was correct for both groups. In our everyday lives there will be those who try to find issue against us whether it be personal, religious or political. It is important to know who you are in Christ so that your decisions and answers reflect God to those who hear you.