During the three years of Christ's ministry, his words and actions were
closely watched by his enemies, who hoped to find some fault of which
they could accuse him. Not a flaw could be seen in that blameless life,
and it was only by some trick that they could get him into their power.
One plan that they devised was very cunning. Palestine was at that time
a province of the Roman empire, and the popular party among the Jews
chafed at having to pay tribute to the emperor Cæsar. On the other hand
the presence of the Roman governor in Jerusalem made it dangerous to
express any open rebellion. Jesus was the friend of the people, and many
of his followers believed that he would eventually lead them to throw
off the Roman yoke. As a matter of fact, however, he had taken no part
in political discussions.
His enemies now determined to make him commit himself to one party or
the other. If he declared himself for Rome, his popularity was lost; if
against Rome he was liable to arrest. The evangelists relate how
shrewdly their question was framed to force a compromising reply, and
how completely he silenced them with his twofold answer. This is the
story:--
"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him
in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the
Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the
way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest
not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it
lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?
"But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye
hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a
penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
They say unto him, Cæsar's. Then saith he unto them, Render, therefore,
unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that
are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled and left him,
and went their way."[13]
That was indeed a wonderful scene, and it is made quite real to us in
our picture: Christ and the Pharisee stand face to face, engaged in
conversation. A wily old fellow has been chosen spokesman for his party.
His bronzed skin and hairy muscular arm show him to be of a common class
of laborers. The face is seamed with toil, and he has the hooked,
aquiline nose of his race. As he peers into the face of his supposed
dupe, his expression is full of low cunning and hypocrisy. He holds
between thumb and forefinger the Roman coin which Christ has called for,
and looks up as if wondering what that has to do with the question.
[Illustration: Picture from Carbon Print by Braun, Clément & Co.
John Andrew & Son. Sc.