Render Unto Caesar
By
James Scott Trimm
We often hear the phrase “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” presented as Yeshua’s revelation on taxation, sometimes shortened to “Render unto Caesar.” But is this phrase, in context, Yeshua’s revelation on taxation, or is it in context, something else?
All three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) present the account in which a group of Pharisees and Herodians ask Yeshua if it is lawful to “pay taxes to Caesar” (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17 and Luke 20:20-26). The following is the account given by Matthew (but they are all very similar):
15 Then went the P’rushim, and took counsel together concerning this saying.
16 And they sent to Him their talmidim, with the servants of Herod, saying, Rabbi, we know that you are a sincere man, and teach the way of Elohim, in truth, and are not influenced by any man: for you regard not the face of man.
17 Tell us therefore, how seems it to you? Is it right to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
18 But Yeshua knew the evil in their hearts, and said to them: You hypocrites! Why tempt you Me?
19 Show Me a coin of the tribute: and they brought to him a coin.
20 And He said to them: Whose is the likeness and this inscription?
21 And they answered Him and said, Caesar’s. Then said He to them: Give therefore to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to Elohim the things that are Elohim’s.
22 And when they heard it, they were amazed, and left Him, and withdrew.
(Matthew 22:15-22 HRV)
These questioners were attempting to put Yeshua between a rock and a hard place. If he says it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, then he will have said that it is lawful to finance the atrocities of the Roman Empire. But if he says it is not lawful, then they will have him arrested for sedition.
But Yeshua was above all of that, and would allow his hand to be forced.
The key word here is “likeness” or “image” (Hebrew: צלם; Aramaic: צלמא; Greek: eikona). To the Torah observant Jew this term immediately evokes Ex. 20:4 & Deut. 4:16-17 which forbids graven images. Both the Aramaic Peshitta and the Aramaic Targum have צלמא for “image” in Ex. 20:4 & Deut. 4:16-17. By using this specific word Yeshua was plainly stating to any Torah Observant Jew that the coins in question were idols of Caesar forbidden by Torah.
“Caesar” refers to “Augustus Caesar”. His real name was Gaius Octavius and he was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar. Since Julius Caesar had legally adopted Octavius as his son, Octavius took the name “Caesar” from Julius. In later years “Caesar” became a name almost equivalent to “emperor.” “Augustus” is a Latin term that means “worthy of reverence.” Certainly an “image” (צלמא) of Augustus “worthy of reverence” Caesar was nothing short of an idol.
No Torah Observant Jew would even want to be in possession of such an item. Yeshua was effectively saying “you’re the ones who own these idols and your asking me if it is permitted for you to give them back to Caesar?” Of course you should, what are you doing carrying these idols around in the first place? However Yeshua had carefully chosen this word so that the challengers could not accuse him of sedition without placing the Torah itself at odds with Roman Law (something they would certainly not be willing to do).
“Render unto Caesar” is not Yeshua’s revelation on taxation, instead it was his revelation on idolatry!
We cannot say what Yeshua’s revelation on taxation might have been. Had he addressed the topic, perhaps he might have said “taxation is theft!”
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