Jesus’ teachings and interactions with others provide insight into His perspective on government and its authorities. While He did not provide an exhaustive teaching on political systems or government structures, several key interactions and statements offer guidance on how Christians should relate to governmental authorities.
One of the most direct statements Jesus made about government is found in Mark 12:17 (parallels in Matthew 22:21 and Luke 20:25), where He says, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” This statement came in response to a question designed to trap Him into taking a controversial stance on the Roman tax. Instead, Jesus acknowledges the authority of government but distinguishes it from the ultimate authority of God.
Another relevant passage is John 18:36, where Jesus says to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Here, Jesus distinguishes His spiritual kingdom from earthly political kingdoms, indicating a separation between spiritual and earthly forms of governance.
Romans 13:1-7, written by the Apostle Paul, expands on Jesus’ teaching about government by instructing Christians to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that all authority comes from God and those in positions of power have been placed there by Him. While this passage is not a direct quote from Jesus, it is consistent with His teachings and the understanding of the early church.
Three main takeaways from Jesus’ teachings and the New Testament teachings on government are:
- Respect and Submission to Authority: Christians are called to respect and submit to governmental authorities, as long as doing so does not conflict with God’s commandments. This includes paying taxes and obeying laws that are not in direct opposition to God’s teachings.
- Distinction Between Earthly and Heavenly Kingdoms: Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, which means that His followers should prioritize spiritual values over political power or earthly governance. This perspective does not remove Christians from participation in society or government but reorients their priorities and motivations.
- Active Engagement with a Higher Purpose: While Christians are to respect governmental authorities, their ultimate allegiance is to God. This means actively engaging in society in ways that reflect God’s love, justice, and righteousness, including advocating for policies and laws that align with biblical principles.
These principles provide a framework for understanding the complex relationship between Christianity and government, emphasizing respectful submission to authority, the prioritization of God’s kingdom, and engagement in society that reflects Christian values.
