Sermon 145

📖 Sermon 145 – Render Unto Caesar

Date: [no date given]
Text: Luke 20:20–26

Introduction

Spies are sent to entrap Jesus with a political question: “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar?” If He answers yes, the Jews will hate Him; if He answers no, the Romans will arrest Him. But Christ’s answer reveals heavenly wisdom and the true relationship between earthly authority and divine obligation.

I. The Evil Intention of the Questioners

A. They pretend to be righteous
Hypocrisy disguised as flattery: “Master, we know Thou sayest and teachest rightly…”

B. They seek to deliver Him to the governor
Their aim is not truth but accusation.

C. Jesus perceives their craftiness
No deception hides from His divine insight.

II. The Question About Tribute

A. “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar?”
A loaded question meant to trap.

B. The Roman tax was hated
Seen as a mark of national subjugation.

C. Jesus refuses to be caught in their dilemma

III. The Lord’s Answer

A. “Show Me a penny”
A denarius bearing Caesar’s image.

B. “Whose image and superscription hath it?”
They answer: “Caesar’s.”

C. The twofold command
“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.”

D. Meaning of His words
Caesar’s coin bears Caesar’s image — give him what is his. Your soul bears God’s image — give Him your heart, worship, obedience.

IV. The Reaction of the Questioners

A. They could not take hold of His words
His answer escapes their trap.

B. They marvel
The wisdom of Christ silences His enemies.

C. They hold their peace
Truth shuts the mouth of deceit.

Conclusion

Christ teaches the believer’s duty both to earthly authority and to God. We pay taxes, obey laws, and honor rulers — but only God receives our ultimate loyalty. The coin bears Caesar’s image; the heart bears God’s. Let us render to each their due.