Ep 291: Render Unto Caesar

Preorder my new book Politics, Economics and New Testament Interpretation here: https://libertarianchristians.com/store/politics-economics-and-new-testament-interpretation/ In this episode I explore the infamous “render unto Caesar” passage from Mark 12:13-17 and its parallels in Matthew 22:15-22 and Luke 20:20-26. What exactly did Jesus mean when he uttered this phrase? Despite centuries of misreading the text, I argue that the ancient world knew nothing of the separation between church and state; reading this passage as if it affirms the modern secular/religious divide won’t do. I then explore the narrative context of the tradition in the Synoptic gospels, showing that this tradition is retained in all three Synoptics within a larger context of Jesus’ conflict with the Jerusalem establishment and should be read as such. We also cannot divorce this tradition from the Synoptic affirmation that Jesus is the Davidic Messiah and therefore transcends all earthly power. I then analyze the tradition from a historical standpoint, explaining that Jesus is not being asked about taxation in general but rather the kensos or head tax, a tax levied by Rome against conquered peoples. This tax was very unpopular, and the Pharisees and Herodians are trying to turn the crowds against Jesus or charge him with sedition. Jesus, playing on the popular idea that coinage belongs to the emperor since it bears his image, turns the tables and says they should give what belongs to Caesar back to him after forcing his opponents to produce the blasphemous coin in the temple. Jesus demonstrates that he, not his opponents, is the one with real authority, a political lesson the church has yet to learn.  Media Referenced:James Barker on Gospels: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-181-how-the-gospel-writers-copied-each-other-with-james-barker/ Mark Goodacre on Gospels: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-224-johns-knowledge-of-matthew-mark-and-luke-with-mark-goodacre/ Gospel trajectories: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-213-jesus-the-divine-messiah-and-gospel-trajectories/ Sign up for LCI’s 2026 Conference in Cincinnati, OH on Saturday, October 17! Many LCI content creators, including myself, will be speaking at the event, and it will be an excellent opportunity to connect with likeminded, liberty-loving Christians. Check out the event and sign up here: https://libertarianchristians.com/conference/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at [email protected].  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show’s profile! Thanks!