Book of Matthew - Chapter 22 - Verse 17

When Jesus was posed with the question about whether it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not, it was a challenging situation for Him. The question was a trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians, hoping to catch Him in a dilemma. If He had said it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, He would have been seen as taking the side of the Roman oppressors over His own people. On the other hand, if He had said it was not lawful, He would have been incriminated for treason against the Roman government. This question went beyond the issue of taxes; it was about loyalty and allegiance. Jesus' response, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," showed that as citizens, we have obligations to earthly authorities, but ultimately our allegiance belongs to God. This teaches us the importance of balancing our responsibilities in both the earthly and spiritual realms.

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse "Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?", it is important to consider the context in which this question was asked. The religious leaders posed this question to Jesus in an attempt to trap him and find a way to accuse him of treason against Rome. Tribute to Caesar was a contentious issue among the Jewish people, as paying taxes to a foreign ruler was seen as compromising their loyalty to God. However, Jesus' response transcended the political implications of the question, as he famously declared, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Through this statement, Jesus emphasized the importance of fulfilling one's civic responsibilities while also maintaining spiritual allegiance to God. This verse highlights Jesus' ability to navigate complex theological and political issues with wisdom and grace, ultimately pointing towards a deeper understanding of the relationship between faith and state authority.