Jesus Holds Up the Tribute Coin to Pharisees and Herodiansby emmanuel_higgins
20:26Luke 20:26
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
The spies sent to trap Jesus with the question about paying tribute failed in their plot, for His answer left them unable to take hold of His words to accuse Him before the people. They could find no opening to condemn Him either for opposing Roman authority or for violating God's law. His questioners were amazed and baffled by the answer, marveling at His discernment and wisdom, and they fell silent.
He answered the questions meant to entangle Him candidly, plainly and wisely, and His answer rebuked the hypocrisy of His opponents. He taught that what belongs to Caesar should be rendered to Caesar and what belongs to God to God, so that people meet the claims of civil government while giving God first allegiance. Duty to government ends where it conflicts with duty to God. His answer settled a disputed question for many who heard it.
In giving the answer He sowed precious truth before the people, and the seeds of truth then sown would bear fruit. The spies themselves were convinced by His wisdom but would not accept the evidence, and in refusing it they hardened their hearts against Him. The verse falls within His warnings about rejecting the Son of God, and those warnings apply to people in every age, so that unless they repent and receive Him as Redeemer the doom foreshadowed by the examples He gives will be theirs.
The spies sent to trap Jesus with the question about paying tribute failed in their plot, for His answer left them unable to take hold of His words to accuse Him before the people. They could find no opening to condemn Him either for opposing Roman authority or for violating God's law. His questioners were amazed and baffled by the answer, marveling at His discernment and wisdom, and they fell silent.
He answered the questions meant to entangle Him candidly, plainly and wisely, and His answer rebuked the hypocrisy of His opponents. He taught that what belongs to Caesar should be rendered to Caesar and what belongs to God to God, so that people meet the claims of civil government while giving God first allegiance. Duty to government ends where it conflicts with duty to God. His answer settled a disputed question for many who heard it.
In giving the answer He sowed precious truth before the people, and the seeds of truth then sown would bear fruit. The spies themselves were convinced by His wisdom but would not accept the evidence, and in refusing it they hardened their hearts against Him. The verse falls within His warnings about rejecting the Son of God, and those warnings apply to people in every age, so that unless they repent and receive Him as Redeemer the doom foreshadowed by the examples He gives will be theirs.