Mark 12:14 “They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?"
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.
In considering Mark 12:14-17 we are faced once again with a story that contains many layers of insight that can be explored. Verse 14 is a revelation of insincere flattery that springs from false motives. Jesus is target of an organized, purposeful attempt to discredit Him. It is sad but true that people will operate in this way but this passage is a lesson to us to learn to look a little deeper into the hearts of men when we are dealing with issues of the kingdom of God. This passage demonstrates that not all words that seem sincere and genuine spring from the heart of the Holy Spirit.
These men were trying to trap Jesus and their approach was to seek to put his guard down by speaking in words that were affirming and complimentary yet poison was in their hearts. In their attempts to ensnare Jesus these men appealed to His sense of who he was as a means to draw Him into an error in His response. They sought to veil their attack by affirming His person and ministry before offering a leading question. What is sad and yet fascinating to consider is that the things they state about Him are true, they know it, and yet they still seek to tear Him down. They say to Him “we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.” They affirm His character, His commitment to treating all men equally, and the truth and Godliness of His message and still they attack!
The lesson that this reality needs to teach us is that the enemies of God do not need to find a flaw in us to have a reason to attack. If they cannot find one, they will at times invent one! Satan’s capacity to deceive the hearts of those who should love the work of God is apparent on every level.
The snare that these leaders have set for Jesus is now not one limited to the Mosaic scriptures. They are seeking to find in Him seeds of rebellion against the Roman government so that they can attack Him on a political level instead of a religious one. Their goal is to use His commitment to the standards of God as a means to make Him an enemy of Rome! But Jesus is not ignorant of their wicked motives. Again, Jesus’ response is a powerful lesson in the art of confrontation! Jesus is very direct in dealing with them. He is not fearful, not does He send hints. His answer is bold and direct. “Why do you try to trap me?”
There is a time for confrontation and many people are afraid of it. This is why so many problems exist in both the church world and the business world today. Fear of man limits so many people from saying and doing the things that will resolve the issues and problems that are hindering. Jesus uses such wisdom in His confrontation. He recognizes the root of the trap is centered on the fact that these men are trying to place Him in a situation where His commitment to God is in conflict with His submission to the government. Jesus’ response quickly and powerfully separates the two issues in a righteous resolve. Through the use of a roman coin Jesus effectively teaches the people to honor both the government of God and the government of man. In this response He sets the foundation for Paul’s teaching in Romans 13:1-7 exhorting us to honor earthly governments. Once again Jesus effectively silences the voice of His adversaries with a wisdom that leaves them amazed.
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