ACC ~ Mark 12 v13 - 17

OVERVIEW:

In Christ God is reclaiming his own coinage: humanity made in God’s image. So we spend ourselves as God’s own currency for that which is incomparably valuable (AUGUSTINE). Christian intercession for the health of the state does not depend upon receiving any temporal benefits from the state (JUSTIN MARTYR). The people of God continue guilelessly to intercede for the peace of the society (TERTULLIAN). Unlike the inert and unresponsive physical image of a ruler on a coin, redeemed humans bear the lively image of the living God to whom they belong (AUGUSTINE). One freely gives to God precisely what one must withhold from political authorities: oneself, one’s conscience, one’s soul (TERTULLIAN). As God freely paid for our freedom from the slavery of sin, so we are called to receive the new life of freedom he gives us, valuing temporal things according to their limited proportional value (ORIGEN). When Jesus’ adversaries feigned respect while plotting to trap him (CHRYSOSTOM), he at once broke directly through their deceptions (AUGUSTINE).

12:13 | To Entrap Him

FEIGNING RESPECT

CHRYSOSTOM: They were breathing anger, and straining to plot against him, while they feigned respect. THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 70.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 10:427*; TLG 2062.152, 58.656.14-15.

12:14 | Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

INTERCESSION FOR GOVERNING AUTHORITIES

JUSTIN MARTYR: So we worship God only, but in temporal matters we gladly serve you, recognizing you as emperors and rulers, and praying that along with your imperial power you may also be found to have a sound mind. Suppose you pay no attention to our prayers and our frank statements about everything. That will not injure us, since we believe, and are convinced without doubt, that everyone will finally experience the restraint of divine judgment in relation to their voluntary actions. Each will be required to give account for the responsibilities which he has been given by God. [1] FIRST APOLOGY 17. [2]

[1] Cf. Rom 14:12.

[2] TLG 2062.001, 17.3.1-4.6; cf. LCC 1:253; ANF 1:168. Both subjects and rulers stand under final divine judgment. Christian intercession for political authorities does not hinge on their receiving temporal benefits.

12:16 | Whose Likeness and Inscription Is This?

THE COIN’S UNAWARENESS OF THE IMAGE IT BEARS

AUGUSTINE: The image of the Emperor appears differently in his son and in a piece of coin. The coin has no knowledge of its bearing the image of the prince. But you are the coin of God, and so far highly superior, as possessing mind and even life, so as to know the One whose image you bear. [1] SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 43. [2]

[1] Cf. Gen 1:26-27; 2 Cor 3:2-3.

[2] Cetedoc 0284, 9.41.351; NPNF 1 6:410-11**; cf. GMI 295.

12:17a | Render to Caesar

MONEY TO CAESAR, SELF TO GOD

TERTULLIAN: That means render the image of Caesar, which is on the coin, to Caesar, and the image of God, which is imprinted on the person, [1] to God. You give to Caesar only money. But to God, give yourself. ON IDOLATRY 15. [2]

[1] Gen 1:26-27; 9:6; 1 Cor 11:7.

[2] Cetedoc 0023, 47.25; ANF 3:70*. Christians do not honor the ruling political powers in the same way they honor God.

WE PRAY FROM THE HEART

TERTULLIAN: We pray for the safety of the emperors to the eternal God, the true, the living God, whom emperors themselves would desire to be benevolent to them, the One who is “above all others who are called gods.” We, looking up to heaven with outstretched hands, because we are harmless, with naked heads, because we are not ashamed, [1] without a prompter, because we pray from the heart, constantly pray for all emperors, that they may have a long life, a secure empire, a safe center of governance, adequate defense, a faithful senate, a well-instructed people, a quiet state—whatever Caesar would wish for himself in his public and private capacity. [2] APOLOGY 30. [3]

[1] 1 Cor 11:7.

[2] Jer 29:7; Dan 6:21; 1 Tim 2:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13-17.

[3] Cetedoc 0003, 30.1; ANF 3:42**; GMI 295-96.

GOD’S COINS

AUGUSTINE: We are God’s money. But we are like coins that have wandered away from the treasury. What was once stamped upon us [1] has been worn down by our wandering. The One who restamps his image upon us is the One who first formed us. He himself seeks his own coin, as Caesar sought his coin. It is in this sense that he says, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” [2] to Caesar his coins, to God your very selves. TRACTATE ON JOHN 40.9. [3]

[1] The image of God.

[2] Mt 22:21; Mk 12:17; Lk 20:25.

[3] Cetedoc 0278, 40.9.36; NPNF 1 7:228*; FC 88:133*.

GOD’S TRIBUTE FOR US

ORIGEN: For the sake of those who were in captivity, like the bondage of the Hebrews, the Son of God took upon himself the form of a slave, [1] yet doing nothing worldly or servile. As one who came in the form of a slave, he paid tax and tribute for us, in the same way that a restitution would be paid for his blood and that of his disciples. … Therefore, let anyone who possesses the things of Caesar render freely them to Caesar, so that he may be able then to render freely to God the things of God. … Just as our Lord paid our debt, not having initiated it, nor expended it, nor acquired it, nor at any time made it his own possession. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13.10. [2]

[1] Phil 2:7.

[2] TLG 2042.030, 13.10.21-29, 46-49, 62-65; cf. ANF 9:481.

12:17b | They Were Amazed at Him

GIVING WHAT IS GOD’S

AUGUSTINE: Caesar seeks his image; render it. God seeks his image; render it. Do not withhold from Caesar his coin. Do not keep from God his coin. To this they could not think of anything to answer. For they had been sent to slander him. And they went back saying: No one could answer him. Why? Because he had shattered their teeth in their mouth. ON THE PSALMS 58.8. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0283, 39.57.11.49; NPNF 1 8:233*.