they could lay hold of some of His words[1], in order to accuse Him publicly. For this purpose they sent some of their disciples, with the Herodians[2], to ask Him, by way of satisfying their doubts, whether it were lawful to pay tribute[3] to Caesar, or not. Now, by Caesar, was meant the Roman Emperor, to whom Judaea was then subject. They thought that, if He answered “Yes", He would make Himself odious to the Jews, and that, on the other hand, if He answered “No", He would draw down on Himself the revengeful hatred of Herod and the Romans.
But Jesus, knowing their malice, said: “Why do ye tempt Me, ye hypocrites?[4] Show Me the coin[5] of the tribute." They showed Him a penny (Fig. 82). And He said to them: “Whose image and inscription is this?" They said: “Caesar’s". Then He said to them: “Render, therefore[6], to Caesar the things[7] that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." The messengers could find no opening for accusing Him, and went away. But again the Pharisees laid a snare for Him. One of them, a doctor of the law, asked Him, tempting Him: “Master, which is the great commandment of the law (i.. e. the greatest of the six hundred and thirteen command-
- ↑ His words. Which they hoped to twist into a means of bringing Him into disfavour either with the populace, or with the state authorities.
- ↑ Herodians. These were in favour of the Roman rulers and of Herod their creature, whereas to the Pharisees and to most of the Jews his government was abhorrent. The Herodians and Pharisees were thus political adversaries, but they were united in their hatred of Jesus, and were willing to form an alliance to injure Him.
- ↑ To pay tribute. They prefaced their question with artful flattery. “We know,” said they, “that Thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man, for Thou dost not regard the person of man. Tell us, therefore, is it lawful to give tribute to one who is a Gentile” ?
- ↑ Ye hypocrites. Such did Jesus call them, because they acted as if they had sought Him for the sole purpose of learning the truth as to what was God's will, whereas their real wicked purpose was to “tempt” Him, or lay a snare for Him. By these words He showed that He penetrated their evil design.
- ↑ The coin. In which the tribute was always paid, and on which was the image of the Emperor with his name.
- ↑ Render , therefore. For you use coins on which is his image, and therefore practically acknowledge him to be your sovereign, even though your state of subjection be a punishment permitted by God.
- ↑ The things. Such as tribute, taxes &c.
