Matthew 22 — The Bad Roman Podcast — The Bad Roman Project

Render Unto Caesar: Unmasking the True Meaning Behind Jesus' Words

How many times have we heard the scripture "render unto Caesar" used to defend entanglement with the state? It's a common argument, but one that completely misses the point of Jesus' teaching. In this eye-opening episode of the Bad Roman Podcast, Craig sat down with Zachary Gomez to explore the real meaning behind this often misused scripture and its profound implications for how Christians should view their relationship to earthly governments.

The Trap of Misinterpretation

Zachary kicked off the discussion by highlighting a crucial detail many overlook - the context of Jesus' words:

“They were trying to trap him. And in context, you know, they were people under an oppressive Roman government. While they may have initially thought they were going to receive some benefit from the system, they now came to realize that it wasn't all it was meant to be.”

This context completely changes how we should understand Jesus' response. He wasn't giving a blanket endorsement of paying taxes or submitting to state authority. He was deftly avoiding a trap while making a much deeper point about where our ultimate allegiance should lie.

The Idolatry of Statism

As they dug deeper, Zachary made a powerful observation about the root issue behind misusing this scripture:

“The idolatry of statism is the real reason people say that render unto Caesar meant that we should pay taxes. That false church system has led people astray into this idolatry.”

This cuts to the heart of the matter. When Christians use "render unto Caesar" to justify entanglement with the state, they reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of where their citizenship truly lies. As followers of Christ, our primary allegiance is to His kingdom, not earthly governments.

Reframing Our Understanding

So how should we interpret Jesus' words? Zachary offered this perspective:

“He was saying, is this your God? Are you made in the image of Caesar or in the image of God? So, you know, that's why they went away amazed in some sense because he totally outwitted them.”

Rather than a command to submit to state authority, Jesus was challenging his listeners to examine where their true loyalty lay. He was drawing a stark contrast between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world.

The Gospel as a Political Declaration

One of the most paradigm-shifting insights Zachary shared was about the nature of the gospel itself:

“The word gospel is a political declaration of a conquering king and his kingdom. And the people in Jesus' day would have understood that in their Greek understanding.”

This reframes how we should view the entire message of Jesus. It wasn't just about personal salvation, but about the establishment of an alternative kingdom that stands in opposition to worldly power structures.

Practical Implications

So what does this mean for Christians today? Zachary emphasized the need for a radical reorientation:

“The gospel is an explicitly political message and it does not allow for dual citizenship. Jesus said, you cannot serve two masters.”

This challenges us to seriously examine our entanglement with the state and political systems. Are we truly living as citizens of God's kingdom, or have we compromised by trying to have one foot in each world?

Making the State Obsolete

Perhaps the most revolutionary idea discussed was how Christians could render the state irrelevant through radical obedience to Christ's teachings:

“If Christians would seek the kingdom in exclusivity and do business with one another, trusting in God alone for our welfare, and participating by fulfilling our roles in his kingdom and government, by loving and serving like him, then we make the state obsolete.”

Imagine the transformation that could occur if believers truly embraced this vision! By living out the values of God's kingdom - love, service, generosity - we could create communities that make the coercive power of the state unnecessary.

What We Learned About Kingdom Living

The conversation with Zachary Gomez challenged some deeply ingrained assumptions about how Christians should relate to earthly governments. Here are the key takeaways:

The "render unto Caesar" passage is not a blanket endorsement of state authority, but a challenge to examine our ultimate loyalty.
The gospel itself is a political declaration about the establishment of God's kingdom.
We cannot serve two masters - our citizenship is either in God's kingdom or the kingdoms of this world.
By fully embracing kingdom living, Christians can create communities that make the state obsolete.
This requires a radical reorientation of how we view our role in society and our relationships with others.

Listen to the full episode for an even deeper dive into these transformative ideas. As you do, ask yourself: Am I truly living as a citizen of God's kingdom, or have I compromised by trying to have dual citizenship? The answer to that question could radically change how you engage with the world around you

Connect with Zachary:

Human Archy Abolition: Website recommended for further exploration of Christian anarchist ideas.
Leaving Egypt Ministries: An anarchist Christian page promoting anti-statist gospel messages.