Render unto Caesar in Matthew 22
Ian Paul
28.47
16 October 2023
12 November 2025
The gospel reading for Trinity 20 in Year A is Matthew 22.15–22, the short exchange between Jesus and his opponents on the question of the Roman ‘poll’ tax. This has important theological implications for our understanding of issues of politics and power, though it is often misread.
It comes at a particular moment in Matthew's account of Jesus' time in his final days in Jerusalem—but the saying about 'rendering unto Caesar' also needs careful reading in context.
Join James and Ian as they explore this passage and its implications.
Revd James Blandford-Baker is vicar of Histon and Impington, two villages just north of Cambridge. Revd Dr Ian Paul is Associate Minister of St Nic's, Nottingham, and writes the widely-read blog www.psephizo.com. Full written commentary behind the discussion can be found on the blog each week.