The people of Israel were once a free nation and had their own king for many years. But they sinned so greatly that God let other nations conquer them, as He had said (Deut. 28:47-4847Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. (Deuteronomy 28:47‑48)). When the Lord Jesus was in the land, they were under the Romans, whose ruler was called Caesar, and tribute (tax) was paid to him.
Some were willing to pay tax and others were not, and men of each party came to ask Jesus if it were right to pay tax to Caesar. These men did not believe Jesus was from God. When they said He taught “the way of God in truth,” they were not sincere, but spoke in flattery. Their goal was to tempt Him to speak against Caesar, so He would be punished.
Paying Taxes
But Jesus did not speak against Caesar. He told them to show Him a tax coin, which they did. Money in those days had the likeness and name of the ruler impressed on it, as it often has now. Jesus asked the men whose likeness and name was on the coin. They said, “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus answered their question. He said, “Render [pay] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus did not free them from the burden their sins had brought; instead He told them to pay it. They saw He had answered them wisely, for they knew they had not given God obedience and honor which was due Him.
If they had welcomed Jesus, the Son of God, as their King, they would have been free of all their burdens. But before He rules as King over all, sin must be punished.
Jesus came first to give His life to save the souls of all who will believe Him and to call them from this world’s interests to Himself. Since the rule of the Caesars, God has allowed many rulers in the countries, but the answer of the Lord Jesus to those men has taught His people to pay whatever tribute or tax is asked. Much the same words were written to the early Christians: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due” (Rom. 13:78).
Powers Ordained by God
In that same writing, it is told that all rulers or “powers” are “ordained” or set by God, and the Christian is to respect them. But just before, in that writing, it is told that the Christian owes himself to God; all that he is is to be for God (Read Romans 12).
It is not told when Christ will come as the rightful ruler over all, but this is one of the sure promises of God: “Thus saith the Lord God ... I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him” (Ezek. 21:26-2726Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:26‑27)).
Sadducees: those who did not believe that the dead rose, nor believed in angels, nor that man has a spirit (Acts 23:68).
Herodians: those who were not as interested in God or His laws as they were in Herod, the ruler chosen by Caesar.
Further Meditation
1. When will God Himself “reign in righteousness”?
2. What is a proper motive for paying taxes, going the speed limit or obeying city regulations?
3. For a thorough exposition of Romans 12, you might find Notes on Romans by W. Kelly to be helpful.