Lucas 20

Lucas 20

Meyer - Luke 20:24 Whose image and superscription hath it? Our Lord more than once compared men to coins. lie spoke of the woman who lost one piece of silver, and searched till she had found it. The analogy might be carried out in many particulars; for as the ore passes through the crucible, and many another process, before it is stamped with the image of the sovereign, so do souls experience many fiery trials ere they can receive and keep the impression of heaven’s mint, which is the face of Jesus. Whose image dost thou bear? — Is there a clear-cut outline of the features of Christ, so manifest that those who touch and handle you are irresistibly reminded of Him; or have the features of your King, which were once clear-cut, become effaced? Whose is thy superscription? Is A. D. there? — the year in which you were born into the kingdom of God, the year of our Lord, the year of your eternal life? Is “Dei gratis” there? (By the grace of God). So that all the while those who know you magnify the exceeding riches of his love as manifested in you. Is “Christus Rex” there? (Christ the King). Are you absolutely Christ’s — to serve and to obey? Is “Fid. Def.” there? (Defender of the Faith). Do you keep the deposit of Christ’s holy Gospel, as you look to Him to keep the deposit which you have committed to Him? Is the lion on the quarterings? — speaking of the strength of the Lion of Judah imparted to your soul. Is the harp amongst them?indicating the subjection of every string of your life to his finger. Is the crown there? — indicating how absolutely you have placed the empire of your nature upon the brow of your Lord. Then weave together the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley as the symbol of his reign Luke 20:25 And He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:25KJV And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, Pr 24:21; Mt 17:27; 22:21; Mark 12:17; Ro 13:6,7; 1 Peter 2:13-17 and to God the things that are God's Acts 4:19,20; 5:29; 1 Cor 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11 Parallel passages - Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17 Luke 20 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 20:20-26 Guile, Government, and God - Steven Cole Luke 20:19-26 The Diagnosis of the Christ Rejecters - John MacArthur JESUS RESPONDS TO THEIR 'EITHER/OR' WITH A MASTERFUL 'BOTH/AND'! Then - Therefore, draws an inference and a consequence from the preceding. Render (apodidomi in aorist imperative) to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's - Jesus takes their "either-or" QUESTION and gives a brilliant "both-and" ANSWER! NET Note - Jesus’ answer to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s was a both/and, not the questioners’ either/or. So he slipped out of their trap. Stein - It has been suggested that since Jesus was arguing that the denarius bore Caesar’s inscription, it was therefore “his” money and belonged to him. And since humans bear God’s image, they belong to God. The problem with this reasoning is that Jesus was not saying that all money bearing Caesar’s image belonged to him. Taxes belonged to him, but not all money. The reasoning behind these words seems to have been: “This coin represents the tribute you are to give. Caesar demands this, and it is a rightful demand. Therefore give the taxes that should be given him.” (Ibid) James Brooke - The coin that was minted by the emperor and had his image stamped on it was considered to be his personal property even while it was in circulation. Therefore it was proper for Jews and (later) Christians to return it to him. By so saying, Jesus acknowledged that God’s people have an obligation to the state, although he did not define that obligation. (New American Commentary – Volume 23: Mark) Stevenson - There is a principle here. It is that the state is ordained by God. The state brings valuable services to the people of God. And as we share in the benefits of the state, so also we are to share in the responsibilities of the state. But what about paying taxes to a government that has set itself up against God? Is it right to pay your good, hard-earned money to a government that wastes it, or puts it to a purpose that you adamantly oppose? Jesus says that it is. He calls us to give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar. But notice that there is a limit as to what belongs to Caesar. Our ultimate allegiance is to belong to God. Caesar may own our money. But God owns US. This has a direct impact upon the underlying issue in this chapter. That issue is one of AUTHORITY. Legal and political authority is real, but it is only of limited scope and duration. Final and lasting authority is in the hands of God. BOTH of these types of authority are ordained by God. Jesus was not advocating an abolition of the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. Neither was He advocating a rebellion against Rome. Rather, He was establishing His claims to a higher authority - one that would be eternal both in scope and in nature. Jewish Leaders Jesus Had a limited and finite authority over the nation of Israel. Has been given authority over a eternal kingdom. Required to pay taxes to Rome in coins bearing the image of the Emperor. The recipient of that which is in the image of God. An earthly authority. A heavenly authority. This authority shall end. This authority shall never end. Render (591)(apodidomi from apó = from + didomi = give and so to "give off” from one’s self) literally means to give back, then to put away by giving and then in a more figurative sense to pay back or recompense. To give what is proper and due. Steven