Caught in the Trap? Jesus and the Question of Taxes

Mark 12:13-17

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.

14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them,

“Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”

16 So they brought it.

And He said to them,

“Whose image and inscription is this?”

They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

17 And Jesus answered and said to them,

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

And they marveled at Him

Context

1. Why were the religious leaders trying to ensnare Jesus? (Mark 11:18, 12:12, Luke 19:47, 20:19)
2. What’s the difference between praise and flattery? (Ezekiel 12:24, Proverbs 28:23, Matthew 7:15, Romans 16:18, 2 Peter 2:3)
3. What kind of ‘no win’ situation were they trying to force Jesus into? (Matthew 26:63-65, Luke 23:2)
4. What belongs to Caesar? (Romans 13:1-7)
5. What belongs to God? (Psalm 8:4-8, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 1:20-23, Philippians 2:9-11)
6. When is it ok to disobey the Gov’t? (Daniel 1:8, 3:18, 6:23, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Acts 5:28, 29)

Testimony Time

1. When have I ‘marveled’ at the words of Jesus? (Ephesians 3:20)
2. How does my life bring glory to the image of God engraved upon me? (Matthew 5:14-16, Luke 8:16, Romans 12:1, 2, Ephesians 1:3-6, 1 Peter 2:12)