The Origin of Taxes

Luke 20:20-26

Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. 25 He said to them, "Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Keywords: taxes, Caesar, coin/denarius, inscription

Taxes are a regular payment to rulers.[1] Early in Israel taxes were paid to maintain the tabernacle and the priest. Taxes were an assessment, forced labor, and toll. Worship taxes were collected before a king was selected. Taxes were collected from conquered tribes to maintain the army of the winning tribe. Taxes became more as time progressed. Taxes were paid to Rome. The taxes were paid on land tax, poll tax, income tax, and personal property tax. There were two taxes in place for the Jewish people. They were the half shekel for each man and the second was tithe on all the soil produced.

Caesar was the ruler of Rome. The coins would display his image.

The denarius is considered a day’s wage. It was customary for a worker to receive wages at the end of the workday.

Coins are stamped metal disks issued by a government for trade and valuation.[2] The introduction of coins replaced the barter system. Jewish coins were minted in bronze by the reigning high priest. The symbols on the coins included a wreath, cornucopia, or the seven-branched lampstand of the temple. Coins minted by other nations would include an image of the ruler on one side and propaganda on the other.

These six verses are about taxes. It is important to understand taxes have been collected for many years. The taxes are used to maintain many factors from roads to the army. Taxes are required of each of us.

Bibliography

Constable, Thomas L. “2 Kings.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 537-588. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

Fallis, William J. and Chad Brand. “Coins,” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 314-315. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Halbrook, Gary K. “Taxes,” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1533. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

[1]Gary K. Halbrook, “Taxes,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1533. [2] William J. Fallis and Chad Brand, “Coins,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 314-315.