Text: Mark 12:13–17
Title: “God or Government?”
? Context:
It’s Tuesday of Passion Week. The religious leaders are in damage control mode. After being exposed by Jesus in the temple (Mark 11:27–12:12), they regroup—this time sending Pharisees (religious nationalists) and Herodians (political loyalists) to trap Jesus with a question about taxes. Their goal? Get Him to offend either Rome or the people. But Jesus doesn’t play their game—He calls them out, flips the coin, and flips the script.
❓Questions for the text:
- Why were both Pharisees and Herodians involved? What does that unusual alliance tell us?
- What is the “image” Jesus asks about—and why is that word so significant?
- What does it mean to “render to God the things that are God’s”? What things?
? Questions from the text:
- Am I giving Caesar what is Caesar’s, but withholding from God what is God’s?
- Do I try to trap Jesus in political categories He never submitted to?
- What in my life bears God’s image—but I’m failing to render it back to Him?
? Cross References:
- Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in His own image…”
▶ Jesus’ coin illustration subtly reminds us we bear God’s image—our very lives belong to Him. - Romans 13:1–7 – Paul affirms that civil government is ordained by God, and taxes are owed.
- Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.”
▶ A crucial companion verse: we render to Caesar only what belongs to Caesar—not blind allegiance.
Final Thought:
This isn’t just about taxes. It’s about worship, loyalty, and lordship. The question isn’t just “What do I owe the government?”—but what do I owe God?
Come ready Sunday to be reminded: Your life bears His image. Render it.