The rulers of the Jews were trying to find a way to bring an accusation against Jesus so that they might destroy Him. As He was in Jerusalem, they “sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement” (Luke 20:20).
If they wanted to get the attention of the Roman authorities, they needed to portray Jesus as a threat to their rule. So they asked Him, “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Luke 20:22).
If Jesus said no, they could have immediately turned Him over to the authorities for instigating a rebellion. If He said yes, they could have stirred up some of the people against Him who were opposed to the Romans. Yet Jesus gave an answer they could not use against Him: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25).
Since the coin they showed Him bore Caesar’s likeness (Luke 20:24), they were to pay taxes to him. What was the parallel to God? What bore His likeness? We do. All of us have been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Therefore, our lives are owed to Him.
So give to God what is His. He created us and we bear His likeness. Let us be committed to serving Him and carrying out His will in this life.