October 22, 2023 Matthew 22:15-22 The Question about Paying Taxes

This week we discuss the passage where the Jewish religious leaders attempt to entrap Jesus by asking him whether it was consistent with the Law of Moses to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus responds by asking them to show him the coin, and simply by possessing the coin, they demonstrate their hypocrisy. He calls them to be more concerned about giving their lives to God. The Reformers used this text as a basis for their view of the relationship between the church and the state. We use that lens as a way of talking about our ability to hear what Jesus was saying.