Catch-22 Series

Background to passage: Continued confrontation during Holy Week, probably on Tuesday. This time it was the disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians sent to trap him. Just a couple of off the top notes before we talk about God’s stuff and man’s stuff

Hollow flattery doesn’t get you anywhere with Jesus, even if it is true

Opening illustration: “A question with a false dichotomy presents only two options as if they are the only possibilities, when in reality, more options exist, creating a misleading and oversimplified view of the issue.” Here are some examples of questions that fall into this category:

"Do you support the war, or are you against it?"(This ignores the possibility of neutrality, a nuanced stance, or even supporting a different approach to the conflict.)

"Are you a liberal or a conservative?"(This oversimplifies complex political ideologies and ignores the existence of centrists, independents, or other political positions.)

"You either choose to be a part of this team or you are against it."(This ignores the possibility of being neutral or choosing a different path.)

"Do you like pizza or pasta?"(This is a harmless example, but it still represents the false dichotomy, as there are many other foods and preferences.)

"If you don't agree with me, then you must be stupid."(This is a more aggressive example, where disagreement is equated with stupidity, ignoring the possibility of having different opinions.)

"Do you want to go to the party or stay home?"(This ignores the possibility of other options, like going to a different party or staying home but doing something else.)

"Are you going to vote for the Democrat or the Republican?"(This ignores the possibility of voting for a third party candidate or not voting at all.)

Main Thought: The question is set up as a trap, a false dichotomy. Jesus splits the coin, answers the question in a way that confuses and embarrasses them, as well as impressed the onlookers. They left him alone at that point.

However we must look at the implications of Jesus’s answer. We will see that he didn’t actually split the coin, but spoke great truth

1) The Things of Caesar (v. 21)

Matthew 22:21 ESV

21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

1) The Things of Caesar (v. 21)

Explanation: There were those among the religious elite in Jerusalem who cited a verse and argued that taxes should not be paid to non-Jewish governor. Not much is known about Herodians, but it is likely they would have been on the other side because of their allegiance or familial connection to Herod who worked with the Romans. Regardless of who was for it and who was against it, Jesus gave an astounding answer. The best translation is “pay back to Caesar.”

So, what things are the things of man? Things that are required to live peaceably among men. One of the obvious examples is taxes. Other things that the government requires as citizens. Obey traffic laws. Sign up for the draft when males turn 18. Buy a hunting license. Marriage licenses and polygamy. Build a house to specific codes. Be inspected by the fire marshal. Have car insurance. Don’t jay walk.

Deuteronomy 17:15 ESV

15 you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.

Illustration:

Application: The “things of man” are required for citizenship of a country. They are temporary and limited by degree. Their level of accountability is lower in relation to the things of God. They are to have regulated allegiance.

Know that with any failure or intentional withholding of the things of man, consequences will come. Especially under civil disobedience, we must welcome the repercussions of our actions. If in fact we have to choose between our commitment to God or our commitment to the government or men, if they collide, we must remember our ultimate responsibility is to the things that we “owe” God.

We “owe” things to other people. If we are married we owe our fidelity to vows and commitment to godly living as a husband or wife. We begin to see some overlap of the things of God and those of Caesar with our obligations to people. We have obligations to people that are part of our Christian commitment

2) The Things of God (v. 21)

Matthew 22:21 ESV

21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

2) The Things of God (v. 21)

Explanation: The overlap is because everything in life and death are the things of God. God established three spheres of authority - the family, the church, and the government. Any power that any one of them has is from God. God gave Adam authority in Genesis, the church has the authority under Christ, and the governments were given power by God, taught by Jesus, and in Romans.