Topical Bible: Money of the Romans, Stamped With the Image of Caesar

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In the context of the New Testament, Roman currency plays a significant role, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Roman denarius, a silver coin, is most notably referenced in the Gospels during an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees, as recorded in Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, and Luke 20:20-26. This incident highlights the tension between the Jewish people and the Roman authorities, as well as the broader implications of allegiance and authority.

The denarius was a common Roman coin, equivalent to a day's wage for a laborer, and it bore the image of the reigning emperor, Caesar. This imagery was not merely decorative; it symbolized the authority and divinity ascribed to the emperor, who was often regarded as a god-like figure in Roman society. The inscription on the coin typically included the emperor's name and titles, further asserting his dominion.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the Pharisees, along with the Herodians, attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. They ask, "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:17). Jesus, perceiving their malice, responds by asking them to show Him the coin used for the tax. When they present a denarius, He inquires, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?" (Matthew 22:20). They answer, "Caesar's." Jesus then delivers His famous reply: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:21).

This response is profound in its simplicity and depth. By acknowledging the image of Caesar on the coin, Jesus affirms the legitimacy of secular authority and the obligation to fulfill civic duties, such as paying taxes. However, His statement also delineates a clear boundary between earthly and divine obligations. While the coin belongs to Caesar, the implication is that humans, made in the image of God, owe their ultimate allegiance to Him.

The encounter underscores the broader biblical theme of dual citizenship for believers: living in the world while belonging to the Kingdom of God. It challenges Christians to navigate their responsibilities to earthly governments without compromising their primary devotion to God. The denarius, stamped with Caesar's image, becomes a symbol of the temporal nature of worldly power in contrast to the eternal sovereignty of God.

The use of Roman currency in the New Testament also reflects the historical and cultural context of the time. The Roman Empire, with its extensive reach and influence, provided a backdrop for the events of the Gospels. The presence of Roman money, with its inscriptions and imagery, serves as a constant reminder of the political realities faced by the Jewish people under Roman rule.

In summary, the Roman denarius, stamped with the image of Caesar, is more than a mere coin in the biblical narrative. It represents the intersection of faith and politics, the challenge of living under secular authority, and the call to prioritize one's allegiance to God above all else.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 22:20,21
And he said to them, Whose is this image and superscription?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Bible
... Enormous sums of money in gold are stored away in ... light of the eleventh chapter of
the Romans is illuminating as ... itself, and on the coins were stamped both the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... Whores are the devil's horse-leeches, sponges that suck in money. ... Romans 1:28 ... The
soul cannot be lovely to God till it has Christ's image stamped upon it, which ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... Italians in general, and Romans in particular, are noted ... with his usual generosity,
appropriated the money to the ... to be legal were marked or stamped with the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm