“Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
This statement of Jesus was to teach the chief priests and Pharisees during his time that we shall have no other gods before Him. (Ex. 20:2-3).
“Give to God the things that are God’s” (Mt. 22:21) emphasizes the words of the First Commandment. “I am the Lord your God… you shall have no other gods before me.”
Because the chief priests and the Pharisees had to be obedient to emperor Ceasar, they even regarded the emperor in all his might and power as a god.
This is precisely why we can read from the Book of Isaiah, (Is. 45:1, 4-6) The Lord God speaks of His almightiness. With His infinite power, nations were subdued, and kings were stripped of their robes.
In today’s Gospel, Matthew highlights individuals who lacked favor in God’s eyes. The Pharisees and Herodians collaborate to trap Jesus. They aim to make Jesus align himself with either the Pharisees or the Zealots, resulting in tension with one of the groups.
We heard about the Herodians who supported Herod’s succession of rulers. They were highly loyal to Rome. The Zealots rejected the fact that they were subjected to a foreign power. They wanted the Romans out of their lives. The Pharisees believed as the Zealots but did not believe in using force to obtain independence. Any answer to the question that was given to Jesus was bound to cause friction with either one of the parties. But Jesus perceived their malice.
They asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?” Jesus asked for a coin and said, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” The New Testament translation of the Latin Vulgate says, “Whose image and inscription is this?” (Mt. 22:20). They answered, “The emperor’s.” So Jesus told them to give, therefore, to the emperor the things that belong to the emperor and to God the things that are God’s.
To fully understand this tricky question, we must know and understand the minting of Roman coins. The right to mint a coin proved sovereignty. The Roman government minted its coins and jealously guarded its sovereignty, making it an act of rebellion to mint any coins other than under Roman authority. Since the Roman Empire minted the coins, they belonged to its government.
Jesus wisely answered the trick question. Condemning the payment of taxes would have meant to disagree with the occupancy of the Romans. To agree to pay taxes would have meant supporting their land occupancy.
Now, one may wonder how this Bible passage relates to the other two readings. It does so through the word “image.” Give to God the things that are God’s.
In the Book of Genesis, we can read that we are created in the image of God. Having lost that original image with the disobedience of Adam, God placed in motion a progressive Divine Plan to, once more, transform us into His glorious image. That is why God gives us so many gifts and blessings. That is why Christ died for us. That is why we are being transformed into the image of Christ through faith, hope, and charity.
Belonging to God, we are called to be His image. We are called to actively maintain our gifts by living our faith in Christ. We are called to give to God what belongs to God and the legitimate authorities, what is due to the government.
Today’s message, my brethren, is to appreciate what God has given us. By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us preserve our gifts and blessings with all our souls, minds, hearts, and strength.