Luke 20:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet the Lord evades their trap like a 'chamois,' for that is how the bride refers to Him in the Song of Songs (Song of Songs 2:9).

How did Christ triumph over their schemes? He asked, "Show Me the denarius." Upon seeing it, He inquired again, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They replied, "Caesar's." What was Christ's response? "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Those in authority impose taxes on their citizens, while God seeks from us, concerning the material and fleeting, nothing more than our willing obedience, faith, love, and the pleasing aroma of righteous deeds. These are the offerings that the Israelites ought to have presented to God, yet they were indifferent and neglectful, too willing to surrender to trivial pursuits.

When he presented the coin to you, you found yourselves outmaneuvered, compelled to confront your own dishonesty. At that moment, you were reminded, ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's’ (Matthew 22:21), after you admitted the coin bore Caesar's likeness. Just as Caesar seeks to find his image on the coin, God seeks to see His image within humanity.

In this chapter, all these elements are presented and explained.

We strive diligently in every place to fulfill the responsibilities of taxes and obligations to your officials, as taught by Christ. When some approached Him with the question, ‘Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?’ He responded, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription are on it?’ They replied, ‘Caesar's.’ He then said to them, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's’ (Luke 20:22-25). Thus, while we acknowledge and worship one God, we also willingly submit to you, recognizing your role as sovereigns and leaders of humanity, and we pray that, alongside your royal power, you may possess wisdom and discernment.

He who they seek to ensnare perceives not merely the lure but also the trap concealed within, recognizing not only the inquiry posed but also the motives and desires of those who ask it.

The high priests and Pharisees, embarrassed by the Lord's teachings in front of the crowd, sought to capture Jesus Christ and put Him on trial. However, they feared the same crowd that supported Christ, who anticipated Him as the awaited Messiah. Consequently, Christ’s adversaries attempted to ensnare Him with their questions to diminish the people's regard for Him and find grounds to accuse Him as a criminal (Luke 20:26).

Jesus swiftly exposed their duplicity and cunning, making it clear that they could not conceal anything from Him. Why do you test Me, you false pretenders?

They awaited a response with eager anticipation, but the words spoken by Christ immediately silenced their malicious accusations. “Why do you test Me, hypocrites?” the Savior replied. “Show Me the currency used for the tax.” They presented Him with a denarius, bearing the proud and stately likeness of Emperor Tiberius on one side and his title, Pontific Maximus, on the other. “Whose likeness and inscription are these?” Christ inquired. “Caesar's,” they replied, confirming the identity.

The inquiry regarding the tribute owed to Caesar is presented in the Gospel of Luke in a manner consistent with its portrayal in both Matthew and Mark. Refer to Matthew 22:15-22 and Mark 12:13-17, taking note that they were ‘Watching Him,’ seeking opportunities to undermine Him (Luke 19:47). The term ‘evil men’ refers more specifically to certain Pharisees and Herodians in Matthew and Mark, whose malice the Lord readily discerned and reproved. They were ‘pretending to be pious,’ or strict legalists, aiming to give the impression that they approached the Lord out of genuine religious conviction rather than as instruments of His adversaries with malicious intent. The phrase ‘caught at the word’ correlates with the commentary on Matthew 21:15.