The Tax Trap

Sermon 85 in Series

Luke 20:20-26

[20] So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. [21] So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. [22] Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” [23] But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, [24] “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” [25] He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” [26] And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Why do the religious leaders have to settle for trapping Jesus in his words rather than arresting him? What is their objective?
2.  What does the flattery of the spies accurately communicate about Jesus? How does he see right through it?
3.  As we observe the cruel malice of Jesus’ opponents, how does it help us deal with any opposition we have to face? How have you experienced this or seen it directed towards other believers?
4.  What tricky question do they ask Jesus? How does his answer show his wisdom?
5.  What does this passage, in conjunction with passages like Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17, teach us about relating to government and its taxes? How are Christians tempted to ignore, interpret away, or outright disobey these instructions?
6.  What does Jesus mean by rendering “to God the things that are God’s” (v. 25)? How does this ultimately include what believers “render to Caesar”?

References: Romans 13:1-14 (corporate reading); Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14-15; Daniel 2:34-35; Luke 11:53-54; Acts 10:34; Deuteronomy 8:6; Matthew 22:18; Luke 18:32-33; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Acts 5:29; Luke 23:1-2.