Matthew 22
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Matthew 22
Original Sources:
First Users and
First Functions

This saying starts with Paul’s very sly Rom 13:6 “Pay the authorities taxes to whom taxes are due.” Egerton Papyrus 2 in ~150: “came to him to put him to the test and to tempt him.... Teacher Jesus, we know that you have come...[So tell] us: Is it lawful [to p]ay kings that which belongs to their rule?...or not?” No function accompanies this fragment. Augustin in ~400 (Serm 40,10) adds: “Why do you test me, You Hypocrites?” Function: to take the heat off the emperor, and put it on Jesus’ questioners.

Paul in ~59 gives the first precursor of this saying at Rom 13:6: “the authorities...pay all of them their dues...” Justin is first with the core of this story in 150 (at FA17): “Tell me, whose image does the coin bear? And they said, Caesar’s. And he answered them again, Pay back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to god the things that are god’s.” Function: to pledge allegiance to the emperor, and to promise to pay the tax by having the very lord of the faith promise it for his followers. Irenaeus (4,36,7) adds: “the royal image and inscription” in a fascinating link with the Equally Paid Workers story.

Text as found since ~350 in and B, unless otherwise marked by an earlier source.

15 Then the Pharisees held counsel how
16 they might lay a trap in talk. And
      they send him their disciples with the
      Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know
      that you are truthful and you teach
      the way of god in truth, and it does
      not matter to you about anyone. For
17 you see into the faces of people. So
      tell us, what do you think: Is it lawful
      to pay the census tax to Caesar or
18 not? But Jesus knowing their malice
      said to them, Why do you test me,
      You Hypocrites?
19 Show me the coin of the tax. And
20 they brought him a denarion. And he
      says to them, Whose image and
21 inscription is this? And they say to
      him, Caesar’s. Then he says to them,
      Pay back then Caesar’s things to
      Caesar and god’s things to god.

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