Matthew 22,15-21.
Immediately after the three parables we have heard over the past three Sundays there is a change of scene with the Pharisees consulting together about how to trap Jesus. The trap they set concerns payment of taxes. The Romans imposed three different taxes on their subjects: a ground tax of 10% of the value of crops grown; an income tax of 1% , and a poll tax payable by every male and female from age of 12-65. It was a denarius per payee. This is the tax in question in today’s gospel.
The disciples of the Pharisees join the Herodians, supporters of the Herod dynasty and the Romans, and unlikely bedfellows of the Pharisees, and go to question Jesus: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” They address him as “Teacher,” a title always used in Matthew’s gospel by outsiders who are not true disciples of Jesus. Then follows a complimentary but correct description of Jesus. He is a true man of God who teaches God’s ways truly and clearly and is not swayed by the status or influence of anyone.
Their question faces Jesus with an impossible dilemma. If he says one shouldn’t pay taxes to Caesar he would be guilty of treason and certainly the displease of the Romans. If he said one should pay taxes to Caesar he would incur the wrath of the Jews.
True to the description his questioners have just given him, Jesus calls them “ hypocrites” for trying to trap him. Then in a master stroke, he asks them for a denarius, the coin with which the tax was paid. They bring him one, showing, by their possession of it, a willingness to trade in Roman coinage and thereby accepting Roman tax obligations.
To his asking whose image is on the coin, they reply “Caesar’s.” The logic is simple: if they carry Caesar’s coins they must pay Caesar’s taxes. However, Jesus adds a fundamental qualification to his reply. They must remember, too, that since they are made in the image and likeness of God, as every Jew would know from the Creation Story, (Gen 1,26), they, therefore , owe God a more fundamental duty of love and service than the taxation due to Caesar.
Jews were also liable for a half shekel temple tax, but in 70 AD the Temple was destroyed by the Romans and the tax was no longer required. However, from 70 AD the Romans demanded that the temple tax be paid instead to the temple of Jupiter in Rome. It was an unpalatable measure for them to swallow. At time of Matthew’s writing his gospel, it was still a problem for them and was a backcloth for the question about paying taxes to Caesar.
Jesus’ answer shows that Christians have a double allegiance; to the country/authority to which they are subject, and to the heavenly kingdom of which they are citizens. One would hope that these two allegiances would never clash, but if they did, choices based on principles Jesus enunciated may have to be made.
Christians have a right and duty to be involved in politics, and every area of human endeavour. They are to be a light and leaven in the world, doing whatever they do to best of their ability, for the good of others and the glory of God.
Fr Geoff O’Grady