Matthew 22:20 - He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
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What does "Matthew 22:20" mean?
The verse "He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”" (Matthew 22:20) is part of a larger story where the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus. Here's a breakdown of the meaning and context:
Context: The Pharisees and Herodians, who were usually at odds with each other, unite in an attempt to ensnare Jesus. They ask him if it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar (the Roman emperor). This was a dangerous question. If Jesus said "yes," the Jews would see him as a traitor, supporting the Roman occupation. If he said "no," he could be accused of treason against Rome.
The Setup: Jesus recognizes their hypocrisy and asks them to show him the coin used for paying taxes. This is when he asks, "Whose is this image and inscription?"
The Question: The "image" refers to the likeness or portrait on the coin. The "inscription" is the text written on the coin. Roman coins of the time typically had Caesar's image and proclaimed his titles (e.g., "Tiberius Caesar Augustus").
Meaning:
Acknowledging Roman Authority: By asking whose image and inscription were on the coin, Jesus forces them to acknowledge that the coin belonged to Caesar and, therefore, Caesar had a certain level of authority in their lives and the realm.
Highlighting Hypocrisy: The fact that they even possessed Roman coins revealed a level of acceptance of Roman rule, making their question (whether it was lawful to pay taxes) all the more hypocritical.
Setting up his Response: Jesus used their answer to launch into his famous response, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21).
In essence: The question itself is a clever tactic by Jesus. It exposes the underlying assumptions of the Pharisees and Herodians, and sets the stage for his response that transcends a simple yes or no answer. It shows that they are already participating in Caesar's system by using his currency and that they must give Caesar what belongs to him, but it also implies that one must also give to God what belongs to God and that one's loyalty to God comes first and is of greater importance.
Matthew 22:20 - He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
What does "Matthew 22:20" mean?
The verse "He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”" (Matthew 22:20) is part of a larger story where the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus. Here's a breakdown of the meaning and context:
Context: The Pharisees and Herodians, who were usually at odds with each other, unite in an attempt to ensnare Jesus. They ask him if it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar (the Roman emperor). This was a dangerous question. If Jesus said "yes," the Jews would see him as a traitor, supporting the Roman occupation. If he said "no," he could be accused of treason against Rome.
The Setup: Jesus recognizes their hypocrisy and asks them to show him the coin used for paying taxes. This is when he asks, "Whose is this image and inscription?"
The Question: The "image" refers to the likeness or portrait on the coin. The "inscription" is the text written on the coin. Roman coins of the time typically had Caesar's image and proclaimed his titles (e.g., "Tiberius Caesar Augustus").
Meaning:
Acknowledging Roman Authority: By asking whose image and inscription were on the coin, Jesus forces them to acknowledge that the coin belonged to Caesar and, therefore, Caesar had a certain level of authority in their lives and the realm.
Highlighting Hypocrisy: The fact that they even possessed Roman coins revealed a level of acceptance of Roman rule, making their question (whether it was lawful to pay taxes) all the more hypocritical.
Setting up his Response: Jesus used their answer to launch into his famous response, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21).
In essence: The question itself is a clever tactic by Jesus. It exposes the underlying assumptions of the Pharisees and Herodians, and sets the stage for his response that transcends a simple yes or no answer. It shows that they are already participating in Caesar's system by using his currency and that they must give Caesar what belongs to him, but it also implies that one must also give to God what belongs to God and that one's loyalty to God comes first and is of greater importance.