A QUESTION OF OBLIGATIONS.
Mark 12:13-17.
1. Wickedness finds strange bedfellows. The Pharisees denied the Emperor any right to demand tribute money - and whilst they no doubt used the common money for common purposes, they questioned the validity of the coinage (which attributed to Caesar the status of a god). The Herodians were fawning collaborators. A desire to entangle Jesus in His talk (Mark 12:13) led to an unprecedented alliance between these two parties.
2. Flattery sometimes speaks truth. On another occasion a man had come to Jesus saying, ‘Good Master…’ to which Jesus retorted, ‘There is none good but God’ (cf. Mark 10:17-18). In other words, if you are going to use expressions like, ‘Good Lord!’ - at least consider the gravity of the saying.
The flattering words which fell from the lips of the disciples of the Pharisees, and the Herodians, were nevertheless true (Mark 12:14).
a) “You are true.” (cf. John 1:17).
b) “You do not look at (regard) the appearance of men” i.e. Jesus, as God, is no respecter of persons (cf. Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11).
c) You “teach the way of God in truth” (cf. John 14:6).
3. “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Mark 12:14) was a question designed to trip Jesus up. If he said, ‘no’ - the Herodians would denounce Him to the Romans as a seditionist. If He answered, ‘yes’ - the Pharisees would discredit Him before the people as a collaborator.
4. Jesus perceived their wickedness, and exposed their hypocrisy. He answered their question with a game of ‘show and tell’ (Mark 12:15).
5. There is a touch of irony between their flattering, “You do not regard the appearance of men” (Mark 12:14); and Jesus’ question, “Whose image (icon) and superscription is this?” They replied, “Caesar’s” (Mark 12:16).
6. To “render” is to ‘give back’ - to ‘give what is due by obligation’ (Mark 12:17). Tertullian summarises: ‘render to Caesar Caesar’s image, which is on the coin; and to God God’s image, which is on man.’
Jesus’ answer is valid also for us as we seek to strike a balance between our relationship to the Lord, and our civil obligations. The problem comes when we seek to drive a wedge between our ‘spiritual’ life, and our secular responsibilities. It is better if we realise that "the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1; Romans 13:6-7).
7. The Master’s masterful answer left both sides bewildered. Let us be wary ourselves of putting the Lord to the test (Matthew 4:7). Jesus’ interlocutors were left marvelling at His words (Mark 12:17).
