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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 22:21 - 22:21
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21. ἀπόδοτε οὖν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι. ‘Pay back therefore.’ The Jewish doctors laid down the principle that ‘He is king whose coin passes current.’ St Paul expands this principle, which underlies our Lord’s answer (Rom 13:1 foll.). The claim of earthly rulers to obedience rests on the delegated authority of God. Cæsar has a claim to tribute because his ἐξουσία is of God—he is God’s viceroy. In the providence of God the Jews had become subject to Cæsar, therefore the lower duty of tribute was due to Cæsar, the higher duty of obedience was due to God. ‘Cæsar and God’ are not therefore opposed terms, as they are often taken to be. Submission is due to Cæsar because submission is due to God. It is the Suzerain enjoining proper submission to his vassal-prince, ‘the powers that be are ordained of God.’
καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ θεῷ. The claim of the kingdom of heaven is equally cogent. As the subjects and ‘husbandmen’ of God, the Jews owe Him service and fruit. Neither in regard to Cæsar nor to God do the facts of the case leave any doubt as to what is due, and to whom, nor does obedience to the one of necessity clash with obedience to the other.
The deep importance of the words consists in this. They define the nature of the Kingdom of God. It is not a Jewish theocracy excluding Rome, but a divine supreme kingdom existing side by side with the Roman empire, or any other empire or kingdom, not an imperium in imperio, but an imperium supra imperium.