S – Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” ²³ But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, ²⁴ “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” ²⁵ He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

Luke 20:22–25 ESV

O – Commentary:

Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not? But this question was not merely about money. It pertained to politics and religion as well. If Jesus gave either a yes or a no answer He would lose support. If He said it was proper to pay taxes to Caesar, a foreign ruler (viz., Tiberius Caesar, a.d. 14–37), the zealots (who opposed Roman rule and favored Jewish autonomy) would be offended by His answer. If He answered that it was not proper to pay taxes (which the religious leaders might have suspected because He had been teaching about the kingdom), then the Romans would be displeased and the religious leaders would be able to turn Him over to their authority.

Jesus, pointing to the portrait and inscription of Caesar on a denarius coin (cf. 7:41; 10:35), answered in the affirmative: Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But He also used the occasion to teach that one should give to God the thing that bears His image—oneself (and to God what is God’s).

This astonishing answer silenced the spies (20:26). Interestingly the religious leaders used this incident against Jesus in His trial

 John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 255.

A – The brilliance of this answer continues to amaze.  Hearing the context of the question and realizing there wasn’t a “right” answer, Jesus gave the perfect response.  That is discernment, wisdom, knowledge, and courage all working at the same time.  All of those are characteristics of the Holy Spirit empowering Jesus to navigate the difficult question.  We have the same opportunity to act with such qualities when we invite the Holy Spirit into our day and empower us in such situations.

R – Heavenly Father, the Lord God is One.  Thank you for Jesus and the Holy Spirit and the roles they play in our daily lives.  We invite the Holy Spirit to empower us in all situations with wisdom, discernment, knowledge and courage.  Help us to impact others in a way that draw them to you.