Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 22:22

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

Mark hath the same, Ch. 12.15, 16, 17. So hath Luke, Ch. 20.23, 24, 25, 26. Our Saviour, saith Luke, perceived their Craftiness, how subtilly they went about to entrap him. He calls them to shew him the Tribute Money: The Iews had two sorts of Money: Shekels and half Shekels, which was Money proper to them, and Roman Coin, Pence and Sesterces. Their Tribute was paid in this Coin. Accordingly they bring unto him a Penny, a Roman Penny as much in value as seven Pence half Peny in our Coin: Which it seems was the Poll-money, which the Romans exacted of every Head. The Coining of Money was always lookt upon, as an Act of Soveraign Power, hence the Usurpation of it is made so Criminal: Most Princes use to have their Effigies stampt upon their Coin, and some Inscription about it, with their Names, and some Words expressive of their Dominion over such places, where their Coin is Currant: So as the admission of a Princes Coin as Currant amongst a People, was a Testimony of their owning, and subjection to such a Prince. Such an Image and Superscription this piece of Money had: Upon which our Saviour concludes, Render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesars, and unto God, the things that are Gods. Altho Cesar be an Usurper, yet God hath given you into his Hands, you have owned him, by accepting his Coin, as Currant amongst you. His right, and Gods right are two distinct things. Religion doth not exempt you from your Civil Duties, and Obedience to Princes, in things wherein they have a Power to Command. Princes have Power to impose Tributes upon their Subjects, for the Maintenance, and upholding of the Civil Government. Let Cesar have his due, and let God have his right: You are a Company of Hypocrites, who by this Questeion would make me believe you have a great Zeal for God, and his Rights; and that you would not pay Taxes, that you might assert Gods Right over you, this is your Pretence; but indeed your Design is to try me, if you can perswade me by any Words of mine, to incourage you to any Sedition, or Acts of Disloyalty to your Civil Governors. I see no reason for it, Cesar hath his Right, and God hath his Rights, you may give them both their Rights, and so you ought to do. Gods Kingdom is of another Nature, than the Kingdoms of the World. His Law forbiddeth no Civil Rights. Thus our Saviour Answers their Question so, as he maketh them to condemn themselves, if owning the Civil Magistrates Power, they did not give him his Rights, and so, as neither Cesar, nor yet the People had any just Cause of Exception against him for his Words. This Answer surprizeth them, they marvel, and go their way, having plaid their Game, and got nothing.