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- one that would alienate the Jewish people, one that would anger the Roman occupiers. Jesus did not respond directly, rather he asked to see the coin that would be used to pay tribute to the Romans. Imprinted with the image of Caesar, the coin was an outward and visible sign of Roman authority and power. Such coins often carried the inscription imperator, a title given to the leader of the military, the upholder of the Pax Romana.
Perhaps Jesus was hoping the image on the coin would remind the people of another image, the one imprinted in each of them. Did he want people to compare the reign of Caesar to the reign of God? To contrast the Pax Romana with shalom, peace that was to be based in justice and loving-kindness rather than brute force? Certainly Jesus did mean to raise the question - to whom do you render your life, to whom do you give your allegiance?
That question Jesus did answer directly - in his life and with his death. Through him and with him and in him, we are to come to know the image of God in ourselves and others, the Divine Indwelling at the heart of all creation. We belong to God.