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Answer
“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” is a famous quote found in Matthew 22:21 and is part of Jesus’ response to a joint effort by the Herodians and Pharisees to trap Jesus in front of His followers.
The Herodians were a secular Jewish group who backed the Herodian dynasty and the Roman government’s policies. They viewed Christ’s pure and spiritual teachings as a threat to their interests. On the other hand, the Pharisees were members of an ancient Jewish sect who upheld strict adherence to oral traditions and the Law of Moses. Despite witnessing His numerous miracles during His time on earth, they did not accept Christ as the Messiah. Despite their differing political stances, their shared animosity towards Christ led them to collaborate in an attempt to discredit Him.
Here is the background to Jesus’ directive to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”: in Matthew 22, Jesus had just returned to Jerusalem for the final time after sharing several parables with the crowd. His adversaries saw an opportunity to challenge Him in front of His followers. In verse 17, they asked Him, “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (ESV). It was a cunning question, and they were well aware of it. If Jesus had answered “No,” the Herodians would have accused Him of treason against Rome. If He had said “Yes,” the Pharisees would have charged Him with disloyalty to the Jewish nation, potentially alienating the crowds. To pay taxes or not? It was a dilemma designed to trap Him.
Jesus’ response was truly ingenious: “But Jesus, aware of their malicious intent, said, ‘Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought Him a denarius” (Matthew 22:21, ESV). Upon hearing this, Jesus’ enemies marveled and went away (verse 22).
When Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” He was drawing a sharp distinction between two kingdoms. There is a kingdom of this world, and Caesar holds power over it. But there is another kingdom, not of this world, and Jesus is King of that «Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. », (John 18:36). Christians are part of both kingdoms, at least temporarily. Under Caesar, we have certain obligations that involve material things. Under Christ, we have other obligations that involve things eternal. If Caesar demands money, give it to him—it’s only mammon. But make sure you also give God what H
He demands.
Caesar minted coins, as he had a right to do, and he demanded some coins in return, as was his right. After all, his image was stamped on what he had made. God has “minted” the human soul, and He has stamped His image on every one «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. », (Genesis 1:27). So give Caesar his due—the temporary stuff of this world—but make sure to give God His due: “Offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness” «Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. », (Romans 6:13).
