22:21 What does Jesus mean by what He says here?

22:1-14 See comments on Mt 20:16.

22:21 What does Jesus mean by what He says here?

Jesus means by this that believers are responsible to both earthly rulers and God. Christians must be scrupulously honest in all their dealings with civil government.

They must financially support their country’s government and pay their taxes. Governments are ordained of God and Christians must honour that fact. They are to pray for those in authority – not pray against them, as so many do (cp Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:13-16). This does not mean that Christians have to obey civil law if they conflict with God’s law.

Our first loyalty is to God – it is more important to obey His law than man’s law (cp Ex 1:15-17; Psa 75:6-7; Dan 3:12-18; 6:6-10; Mt 2:1-5, 7-9, 12, 15-16; Ac 4:13-20; 5:28-29, 40-42; He 11:23).