In this episode, we look at
- More snarky Jesus
- how we get the same few questions at Queer Theology, how that relates to this passage, and what that means for LGBTQ people
- how Jesus doesn’t really answer the question — and why that’s important
- Questions that LGBTQ people get from Christians and how we see ourselves in this passage
- you can’t win under respectability politics — you can never be “good enough”
- we’re hosting a webinar to talk all about sex on October 29 at 4pm eastern. Register at queertheology.com/sextalk
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are genuine and that you teach God’s way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by people’s opinions, because you don’t show favoritism. So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used to pay the tax.” And they brought him a denarion. “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked.
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed.