“We know that thou art true, Rabbi,” began the spokesman of the party, “and [pg 87]carest for the opinion of no man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?”
Jesus faced his inquisitors, erect and calm, his deep eyes searching their hypocritical hearts. There was silence for a full minute, while the crowded listeners craned their necks for his reply, and Judas clenched his knotted hands in a very agony of suspense. This was the supreme moment. Tribute to Cæsar, or no? Tribute to the usurping heathen emperor, or allegiance to the throne of David—which?
The carpenter’s son whitened slowly under the fiery eyes which scorched him with their brutal passions. Then came his answer—spoken slowly, deliberately: [pg 88]“Why tempt ye me? Give me a penny, that I may see it.”
The perfumed exquisite from Herod’s court languidly fingered the gold pieces in his pouch, with a pitying smile for this penniless pretender to a throne, and presently, drawing therefrom one of the lesser coins of the empire, gave it to the Nazarene.
“Whose is this image and superscription?” demanded Jesus, his voice ringing out in the crowded place like the peal of a great bell.
“Cæsar’s,” replied the courtier, bowing servilely at mention of that name of power.
Then came the wondrous answer, forever solving all questions of human fealty: “Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
Instantly there arose from the multitude a great hum of approval. “Well spoken!” “Thou hast said!” “Behold a Solomon in our midst!” burst from one and another in deep-throated chorus. And the Pharisees, wrathful and menacing, withdrew with the crestfallen Herodians.
“Said I not that he was a match for the best of them?” cried Peter, showing his white teeth in a great laugh of relief and triumph. “Aye, our Master is king of a surety, wiser than any scribe is he, keener than a Damascus blade having two edges.”
But Judas groaned aloud. “What a moment to have declared himself!” he muttered. “And lost—ay, lost forever. My God! what and who is the man?”