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Context No. 2793 of 4322 · Luke

Context · Reflection

Luke 20:19-24: in context

19The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them. 20They watched him and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. 21They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. 22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test me? 24Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” They answered, “Caesar’s.”

Stung by a parable aimed at them, the chief priests send spies who pretend to be sincere, hoping to trap Jesus in his words and hand him to the governor. They flatter him first, then spring the question: is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? A yes would offend the crowd who hated Roman taxes; a no would be treason. Either answer should finish him.

Jesus sees through the flattery and asks for a coin. Whose image and inscription are on it? Caesar's, they answer. In one stroke he reframes the whole trap. The coin carries Caesar's image, so give it back to Caesar; but the deeper question, which the answer to come will make plain, is what carries God's image. The denarius bears Caesar's likeness and belongs to him. I bear God's likeness, and belong to God. A question about tax money opens onto the far larger question of whose image I carry and to whom I owe myself.

The coin bears Caesar's image; I bear God's. Am I giving to God the self that carries his likeness?

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