Taxes: What Did Jesus Say?

Introduction

It is said that once, an American man was walking along the street outside his hotel in Mexico. He was enjoying the sunny weather and scenery when he heard a woman screaming as she knelt in front of her child. The man knew very little Spanish, but he knew enough to understand that the child had choked on a coin. Without hesitation, he grabbed the child by the heels, flipped him upside down, and gave him a few shakes. Almost immediately a quarter fell to the sidewalk and the child drew gasping breaths. The mother was so relieved and grateful. She thanked the man profusely and asked, “You seemed to know just how to get it out of him. Are you a doctor?” “No. I’m with the United States Internal Revenue Service.” Whether or not that story is true, it is ironic. Few if any people like to pay taxes. That’s why the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were sure they had Him trapped when they asked Him whether or not they should pay taxes. Study Mark 12:13-17 to learn what Jesus thinks about taxes and how He answered a trick question with amazing wisdom.

Observation

Pray

Before you study, pray that the Lord will help you understand and accept His truth.

Read Focus Verses

Read Mark 12:13-17 and let yourself be amazed at Jesus' wisdom.

Theme

There's a lot going on in this passage, but what is the main theme of the discussion in one word? (Hint: the word appears in verse 14.)

Keyword - Taxes

Marking the keyword(s) in a passage helps it stand out visually.

Taxes

Mark the word "taxes" or "tribute" in Mark 12:14.

Keyword - Jesus

Whether you're doing all the study plans in the Gospel of Mark or just this one, Jesus is the main character in this story as He is all through the book.

Jesus

Mark the Names of Jesus and the places He's mentioned in Mark 12:13-17.

Who?

Who does verse 13 introduce us to?

Purpose

What was the purpose of their coming to Jesus?

Question

What did they ask Him?

He Knew

Verse 15 says Jesus knew something. What was it?

Why?

What does Jesus ask in verse 15?

Instruction

In verse 15 what does Jesus tell them to do?

Another Question

What does Jesus ask them in verse 16?

The Answer

How do they answer?

Jesus' Answer

What does Jesus say in verse 17?

Their Response

What was the response to Jesus' answer?

Interpretation

A Common Enemy

The Herodians were a political group who supported the rule of Herod in Israel. The Pharisees considered the Herodians traitors and there was great animosity and opposition between the groups.

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Pharisees and Herodians

What does it tell you about how much the Pharisees and Herodians hated Jesus that they worked with each other - hated enemies - to try to destroy Him?

Hatred

All through the Gospel of Mark the hatred of the Pharisees and other religious and political leaders toward Jesus has been evident. If you look at the last chapter you'll see how bad it has gotten at this point in Jesus' life in Mark 11:18.

Fork

These leaders thought they had Jesus in a fork with their question - if He answered one way the government would prosecute Him, if He answered another way the people would dislike Him. What answer would make Him popular with the crowd but get Him in trouble with the government?

Flattery

Notice that they didn't just ask Jesus if it was good to pay taxes. They asked if it was lawful. To understand the significance of this question it is important to realize that the Romans allowed the Jews to follow the Old Testament Mosaic Laws to a certain extent, but some of the Roman laws were in conflict with some of the Laws for Israel in the Old Testament. How does this conflict help explain the flattery at the beginning of the question?

When You Must Choose

Acts 5:29 makes it clear what choice a believer must make if they have to choose between obeying God and human government.

God or Government

If God's Law had forbidden the paying of taxes, what would Jesus have had to say no matter what the government thought?

Not the Problem

Despite the way the Pharisees and Herodians presented the question, based on Jesus' answer did God's Law for Israel forbid them to pay taxes?

Learning from His Method

What can you learn practically from Jesus' method of leading His listeners to the right answer?

Render

Take a closer look at the word translated "render" or "give" in verse 17 of today's passage.

Image

Coins are often stamped in the image of someone in authority. Genesis 1:26-27 tells us what is made in God's image.

God's Image

What bears God's image?

Logic

Based on Jesus' logic of Caesar having the right to control things that bear his image, what right does God have to people?

To God

What do you think Jesus meant when He said to render to God the things that are His?

Worthy

Revelation 4:11 helps us understand this more fully.

Of and Through and To

Consider what Romans 11:36 says.

The Lord

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 explains this further.

God's Rights

What does God deserve as our Creator?

Not Because He's Needy

In Acts 17:24-25 Paul clarifies that this is not because God needs anything but because we owe everything we are and have to Him.

New Perspective

Perhaps this perspective sheds new light on Romans 3:23.

Serious

Romans 6:23 also makes more sense when you understand this.

Sin

Why is sin - breaking God's rules - such a big deal?

Solution

How does knowing that God is entirely worthy of complete obedience and eternal praise and that we owe everything to Him make His giving His own Son to pay for our sins and give us the gift of salvation and life seem even more wonderful?

Human Government

Notice how Romans 13:1-7 shows that submitting to human government is actually based on submitting to God who deserves our obedience.

For the Lord's Sake

Why does God tell us to obey human government in this passage (and others)?

Another Reason

1 Peter 2:12-16 gives another reason God's people should submit to human government.

A Good Testimony and Witness

Why else should Christians submit to human government?

Not Only to the Good

It might be tempting to say we have an exemption, but a few verses later in 1 Peter 2:18 God clarifies. (If you think about it, all of these verses were written during the time of the wicked, corrupt, violent Roman Empire…)

But Also to the Evil

Are Christians exempt from obeying authorities that are evil? (In everything except where the government commands direct disobedience to God of course.)

Did Jesus Pay Taxes

Matthew 17:24-27 is a fun story, but more than that it answers the question whether or not Jesus paid taxes.

Peter's Answer

What did Peter say when people asked if Jesus paid taxes?

In Conclusion

If someone asked you whether or not a Christian should pay taxes, how would you answer them?

But…

How could you use the Bible verses you studied today to answer a Christian who objected to paying taxes to a corrupt government?

Marveled

When Jesus so wisely and skillfully answered this trick question, the people marveled. Take a minute to think about and marvel at His wisdom too.

Once More

Read Mark 12:13-17 once more in light of what you've studied.

About Jesus

What do you learn about Jesus in this passage?

About Taxes

What do you learn about taxes in this passage?

Application

Thinking and Talking

Does the way you think and talk about taxes need to change based on what you've studied today?

Paying

Does the way you file and pay your taxes need to change based on what you saw in God's Word today?

Answering with Wisdom

When people ask questions to try to corner or trick you, how can you apply what you learned from Jesus' wise answers in today's passage?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope today's study plan has helped you understand the way God thinks about taxes and has challenged you to think about them like Jesus taught us to.

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