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Matthew 22:20 |
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And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription?
Note 3 at Mt 22:20: The image on the denarius, the only small silver coin acceptable for imperial tax payments, was probably that of Tiberius Caesar (reigned A.D. 14-37). The inscription upon the coin read "Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus" with the reverse side reading "Chief Priest." This inscription was a claim to divinity and, as emperor, the right to be worshiped. Jesus declared, "Render [give back] to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mr 12:17, brackets mine). We are made in God's image (Ge 1:27 and Jas 3:9), so we must render to God the things belonging to God (our lives) and to Caesar the things belonging to Caesar (his money and other benefits of his rule).

