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MATTHEW 22:20 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 22:19Matt 22:21
“And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?”
Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. The famous distinction: Caesar's things to Caesar, God's things to God. The coin that bears Caesar's image belongs to Caesar; the human being who bears God's image (Genesis 1:27) belongs to God. The answer transcends the either/or of the trap: it acknowledges the legitimacy of the political sphere without making it absolute, and it places the ultimate claim on the human person with God rather than Caesar.

Church Fathers on Matthew 22:20

As when one seeks to dam a stream of running water, as soon as one outlet is stopped up it makes another channel for itself; so the malevolence of the Jews, foiled on one hand, seeks itself out another course.

Pseudo-Chrysostom · 5th century

Who as unknown to Him, were more likely to ensnare Him, and so through them they might take Him, which they feared to do of themselves because of the populace.

Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · ord.

Lately under Caesar Aug ustus, Judaea, which was subject to the Romans, had been made tributary when the census was held of the whole world; and there was a great division among the people, some saying that tribute ought to be paid to the Romans in return for the security and quiet which their arms maintained for all. The Pharisees on the other hand, self- satisfied in their own righteousness, contended that the people of God who paid tithes and gave first-fruits, and did all…

Jerome · 4th century
Read all 21 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 22:20 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy