"Give that which is Caesar unto Caesar"

Introduction

Jesus said, "Give that which is Caesar unto Caesar and unto God the things which are Gods" in an answer to whether or not people should pay taxes. The question of paying taxes to Caesar, posed to Jesus in the Gospels, might seem like a simple inquiry about our supposed obligation to The State, yet his response is both clever and profound (wise as a serpent/ harmless like a dove), revealing deeper implications about loyalty, authority, and divine ownership. When asked, “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:17, KJV), Jesus carefully sidesteps the political trap. His response—“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's” (Matthew 22:21, KJV)—speaks volumes, not about supporting taxation but about revealing the ultimate allegiance one should have: either to God or to Rome.

The Things Which "Are Caesar's": The Image and Superscription of the Pagan god-man

In the Roman Empire, emperors were considered more than mere political leaders; they were deified, regarded as “god-men” who demanded both loyalty and worship. Coins in circulation bore the image of the emperor, stamped with inscriptions that elevated him to divine status. In Tiberius’ time, coins bore the following:

• Obverse (front): A profile of Tiberius with the inscription TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS ("Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus, Augustus").

• Reverse (back): A depiction of the Roman goddess Livia (representing Pax, the "goddess of peace"), seated and holding a scepter and an olive branch. Often included was the inscription PONTIF MAXIM (Pontifex Maximus, or "Chief Priest").

These coins were a constant, visible affront—a graven image that contradicted the commandments in Exodus to “have no other gods” and “make no graven image.” Jesus' answer effectively was challenging them to choose between The Roman Empire and the Kingdom of God. We recognize Jesus as The Chief Priest, the Prince of Peace (not some pagan goddess), and we recognize Jesus, not Caesar, as the Son of the Divine Father and Creator. Jesus answered with an easy riddle that people still can't discern. Jesus’ response doesn’t justify the legality of the tax and the right of The State. Instead, he uses the image on the coin to reveal the emptiness of Caesar’s claim. The logic follows this way: if Caesar’s image is stamped on the coin, and you think it belongs to him--serve your god. But God owns all things. God’s image is stamped on human beings (Genesis 1:27), meaning that ultimate allegiance and loyalty belong to God alone. Jesus told them, "Choose you this day whom you will serve." This isn’t an endorsement of the tax but a call to question Caesar’s right to claim anything from those who bear God’s image.

The Things Which Are God's

God owns all things. Psalm 50:10 declares, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” No earthly ruler—no emperor, no Caesar, no CEO, no individual—holds legitimate ownership over God’s creation. We who follow Jesus and who worship The Creator in spirit and in truth understand that we aren't owners but stewards of what God gives us. So, when Jesus says, “Render unto Caesar,” he’s neither validating Caesar’s tax nor conceding Rome’s authority. Rather, he cleverly underscores that, in truth, Caesar owns nothing. If only the "inquisitive" Pharisees and modern readers had eyes to see and ears to hear! If Caesar is your god, Jesus implies, then pay him. But if you recognize that God alone owns all things, your loyalty won't be divided: seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jesus’ teaching here aligns with his broader message of non-resistance: “Resist not evil” (Matthew 5:39, KJV). Jesus doesn't take up arms against Caesar’s taxation; he doesn't incite violent revolt. Instead, he endures the injustice, choosing to suffer the theft and extortion rather than violently resist it. People think that in order to throw off the tyranny of taxes, we must fight a war. We will show you there are peaceful ways about it. Some choose to suffer; some choose to alleviate the suffering. Jesus showed us how to suffer. If taxation is theft--which it is--then Jesus is suffering violence, not "submitting to laws." His "compliance" to the theft signifies approval of Rome’s abuses about as much as a man who is being abused by a State Goon (police officer) approves of the beatings.

God or Rome

The climax of this exchange with the Pharisees comes later in the Gospel narrative, during Jesus’ trial before Pilate. When Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd as their “King,” the Chief Priests and elders respond with chilling finality: “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15, KJV). The very people who once questioned the legitimacy of paying taxes to Caesar, thinking they'd tricked Jesus, pledged loyalty to Rome over God. Their declaration—“We have no king but Caesar”—reveals the tragic choice that Jesus had laid before them: to choose between divine allegiance and earthly submission, between God’s kingdom and Caesar’s empire. And in that moment, they chose Caesar.

Tax Evasion: Ultimate Iconoclasm

Where do your tax dollars go? The government steals from us to fund wars, militarize our police, spy on us through agencies like the CIA and FBI--generally, to keep us dependent upon them. Because numbers will always fluctuate and change, it's not in my interest to present the exact facts and figures here, but curious minds will discover that we are taxed for evil reasons, just as God told us we would be 1 Samuel 8. Everyone agrees that taxes are burdensome. Everyone wishes to be free from them. Few have taken the chance. I'm one disciple who encourages tax evasion and looks for ways to accomplish as much of it as I can.

Because a serious disciple of Jesus will be concerned with true justice, non-coercion, and the welfare of humanity and creation, it's understandable why they might feel compelled to evade paying taxes and shouldn't be shamed for doing so. This is probably the most extreme step one might take in their discipleship path, for it means that one is truly "not of this world." However commendable this is, my view is that one must decide for themselves to what extent they want to evade. Some who have families with small children might find this more difficult than a single man or woman. Here are some steps you can take:

• File/ Refuse to pay: This involves filling out an IRS income tax return and refusing to pay either a small amount, a percentage of the military/ some other portion, or the total amount. You may include a letter to explain why--a good way to peacefully resist The State and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom. If you fill out a W-4, the more deductions (you, dependents, anticipated itemized deductions, etc.), the less extorted from you.

• Don't File.

• Earn less than the taxable income.

• Self-Employment/ "The Agora": One can develop self-employment and voluntary exchange in the gray and/ or black markets where the income isn't taxed. This is "cash under the table" and/ or barter/ trade.

• Resist Excise Taxes: An "excise tax" is a direct tax imposed on specific goods, services, activities like gas, tobacco, etc.

These are some interesting ways one can resist paying taxes. Discipleship to such a radical extreme requires that we "Count the cost." If you're one who chooses to bravely starve The Beast, God be with you! God be praised!

Conclusion

In the end, Jesus’ response about paying taxes to Caesar is neither an endorsement of Roman taxation nor a concession of Caesar’s authority. Instead, it's a reminder that God, not Caesar, is the ultimate owner of all things. Caesar may hold an image on a coin, but it's God’s image that we bear, and thus, our allegiance belongs solely to Him. Jesus doesn’t support taxes; rather, he challenges his listeners to choose their loyalty. When the choice was set before them, the people tragically chose Rome. Jesus’ answer, as always, was both careful and clever—underscoring that while Rome might wield temporary power, only God possesses true authority over His creation. Tax evasion is a means of destroying the image of The Beast, the idol that enslaves mankind; it's a way of preventing suffering in the ungodly wars and policing that ravages our neighbors. People, including those who call themselves disciples of Jesus, will discourage tax evasion. Tax evasion is a radical expression of discipleship that Jesus calls us to. Whether being robbed in our taxes or being fined and imprisoned for evading them, we are suffering disciples of Jesus and children of God. But we are still free indeed.