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The Pharisees had hitherto questioned our Lord on points of ecclesiastical ethics, and were invariably worsted. Now they face round and assail him with the weapon of political ethics. "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" Behold in the scene before us -

I. THE WISDOM OF THE SERPENT IN ITS VENOM.

1. It is seen in the question proposed.

(1) The issue is not whether it was lawful for an individual Jew to pay the Roman tax. That question was already practically settled. It was a maxim common among all people, and acknowledged among the Jews, that the prince who causes his image and titles to be stamped on the current coin is by those who use it acknowledged as the ruler.

(2) The issue was whether by a joint effort of the nation it was not their duty to God to throw off the Roman yoke. It involved many considerations, such as:

(a) The origin of the Roman power.

(b) The manner in which that power had been used.

(c) The degree of injustice which must be sustained before a nation can legally throw off an allegiance to which it has submitted.

(d) The definition of the theocracy in the modified form in which it then existed.

(e) Besides these, many minor considerations.

(3) In proposing a question so complicated and intricate they hoped to entangle him in his talk.

2. In the confederation proposing it.

(1) Behold the Pharisees in league with the Herodians. These persons were political enemies. The Pharisees were seditious demagogues. The Herodians, if not Sadducees, as Herod was, were partisans of Herod, who owed his elevation to the Romans. But they find a common cause against Jesus; nor was this the first time (see Mark 3:6). "Samson's foxes looked several ways, but met in one firebrand" (Henry).

(2) See them in consultation. So were the Scriptures verified (cf. Psalm 2:2; Psalm 83:3-8; Jeremiah 18:18; Jeremiah 20:10). Contrivance and deliberation intensify the malignity of sin (see Micah 2:1). Wicked wit makes wicked will.

(3) Observe how the Pharisees put forth "their disciples." Note: The wicked have disciples. Disciples would look more like learners, less like tempters.

(4) The masters would be present to watch the issue and to seize the opportunity to enclose the Victim in the serpent's folds.

3. In the flattery in which it is conveyed.

(1) In the praise they give to Christ they speak the truth. He was indeed a Teacher true, and a true Teacher of the way of God. He was himself the Truth and the Way. He also was above all influence of injustice. He had no improper fear of Herod or of Pilate. He evermore reproved with equity (see Isaiah 11:4).

(2) But they use the truth to serve a bloody purpose. The matter may be true and the intention treacherous. They sought to "ensnare him," viz. to his destruction, as a bird in a net (cf. Mark 12:12, 13; Luke 20:20). There are those who never do good but with the purpose of promoting evil.

(3) Suspect the man that praises you to your face. "He who caresses thee more than he is wont has either deceived thee or is about to deceive thee" (Italian proverb). Praise upon the lip, malice in the heart. Joab kissed when he killed Amasa (2 Samuel 20:9). Judas betrayed when he kissed Jesus (Matthew 26:49).

4. In the presence in which it is urged.

(1) It had to be answered in presence of the people. They vainly boasted that they were Abraham's seed, and never were in bondage (see John 8:33). They as vainly professed to have no king but God. If Jesus replied that it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, the people might be easily roused against him.

(2) It had to be answered in presence of the Pharisees. They only wanted the pretext to stir up the people against him as the Enemy to the liberties of his country.

(3) It had to be answered in presence of the Herodians. If Jesus took the side of the people, and said it was not lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, then the Herodians were ready to inflame Herod against him in the interests of the Romans. This very indictment was, two or three days later, laid against him (see Luke 23:2). Behold -

II. THE WISDOM OF THE SERPENT IN THE DOVE.

1. It is seen in his exposure of his assailants hypocrisy.

(1) They could not hide their duplicity from his all-searching vision. By the exposure of their wickedness he proved them right when they called him true.

(2) This exposure was as politic as it was severe, for it discredited them before the people.

(3) Nothing could have mortified them more; for they sought the praise of men rather than the praise of God. He never gains who contends with Jesus.

2. It is seen in his avoidance of their trap.

(1) He took the wise in their craftiness (see Luke 20:23) when he made them recognize the image and superscription on the coin. With what consistency did the chief priests afterwards cry out, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15)!

(2) "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. God is the Author of spiritual order, and, through this, of civil order also. Human sagacity sees one side of duty; Divine wisdom sees all sides at once.

(3) Here was nothing that the enemy could take hold of. The answer glorified God, and Caesar could not object to it. The Herodians and Pharisees were rebuked, but so obliquely that neither could take advantage of him. And the people were edified.

3. It is seen in the assignment to Caesar of his own.

(1) It is generally that which has upon it Caesar's image and superscription. By Christ kings reign. His religion is no enemy to civil government (see Romans 13:1). Caesar is to claim nothing but what is "Caesar's." He is neither to claim, nor are we to render to him, what is "God's."

(2) Caesar may claim honour, viz. in return for the government protection afforded to life, property, and liberty.

(3) Caesar may claim obedience, viz. to the laws instituted for the restraint of evildoers, and the maintenance of order and freedom.

(4) Caesar may also claim tribute, viz. to meet the expenses of the government in the exercise of its proper functions.

4. It is seen in the assertion of the claims of God.

(1) Generally God also claims whatever has his image and superscription. The image of God stamped on the spirit of man denotes that all his faculties and powers belong to God, and should be used for his glory.

(2) Eminently to God belongs our religion - our love, worship, and obedience. Caesar has no right to meddle with this. Caesar is only to be resisted when not to do so would be to resist God.

(3) If Caesar intrude into this domain, then the Christian must suffer rather than sin.

(4) In questions of conflict between the claims of God and Caesar, the Christian man has to be guided by a conscience enlightened by great principles. Hence Christ left the question open which was put to him, but enunciated the great principles by which every man may determine for himself.

III. THE VENOM OF THE SERPENT IN HIS FOLLY.

1. And when they heard it they marvelled.

(1) They marvelled at his knowledge of their hearts.

(2) They marvelled at the adroitness with which he avoided their arts.

(3) They marvelled at the wisdom of his doctrine.

(4) They marvelled at the incisiveness of his rebukes.

2. But they left him, and went their way.

(1) Their admiration should have drawn them to him with repentance.

(2) They showed no signs of repentance. Christ is marvellous to many to whom he is not precious. The lessons of wisdom are lost upon them.

(3) "They went their way," not his. His way was heavenward. Their way was to perdition. - J.A.M.

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KJV: Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

WEB: Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.