In Matthew 22:21, Jesus is asked by the Pharisees and Herodians, "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" They were trying to trap Jesus, as if He said "yes," He would alienate the people who hated Roman rule, and if He said "no," He could be accused of sedition.
Jesus replied, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." In other words, Jesus was saying that there are two separate spheres of authority: one belongs to the government (Caesar) and one belongs to God. People should fulfill their obligations to both, but they should not confuse the two.
This statement by Jesus has been interpreted in different ways over the centuries, but one common understanding is that it teaches that Christians should be good citizens and obey the laws of the state, as long as those laws do not conflict with God's laws. Essentially, Jesus is saying that we should give to Caesar what is Caesar's, that is, taxes and other civic duties, but we should not give to Caesar what is God's, such as our worship and allegiance.
Another interpretation of this statement is that Jesus is emphasizing the importance of proper roles and responsibilities. He is saying that Caesar has certain responsibilities to the people, and that is to govern and maintain order, and that is what he should be given credit for. However, when it comes to spiritual matters, it is only God who should be given credit and worship.
This statement is also a reminder of the principle of separation of Church and State, where Caesar has his own responsibilities, and God has his own. The two should not be mixed, and people should not use religion to justify political actions, or vice versa.
Additionally, this statement is also an invitation to discernment, where individuals should be able to distinguish between what is Caesar's and what is God's. In this context, Jesus is inviting his listeners to use their own judgement and discernment to decide what is appropriate to give to Caesar and what is appropriate to give to God.
In conclusion, Jesus' statement "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" has many interpretations, but one common understanding is that it teaches that Christians should be good citizens and obey the laws of the state, as long as those laws do not conflict with God's laws. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of proper roles and responsibilities, the principle of separation of Church and State, and an invitation to discernment.