(13) If And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians to catch him in his words. (14) And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the per son of men: but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not? (15) Shall we give, or shall we not give? but he knowing, their hypocrisy said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. (16) And they brought it; and he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? and they said unto him, Cesar's. (17) And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
It was said of the LORD JESUS, under the spirit of prophecy, that with the hypocritical mockers were those that gnashed upon him with their teeth. Psalms 35:16. And here we behold them in deep design. If to the question of the lawfulness to give tribute to Caesar, JESUS had said, no; the Herodians would have apprehended him as an enemy to government. And if the LORD had justified Caesar's claim, the whole nation of the Jews would have been against him, as they were all longing for deliverance from the yoke, and the very gatherers of the taxes were called publicans, and classed only as sinners. I beg the Reader not only to remark how much wisdom JESUS displayed in avoiding the trap which they had laid for him, but how blessedly he took occasion to remind them of what they owed to GOD. Who can indeed render to the LORD his due?