Saturday, 29 August 2026 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” Matthew  “And He says to them, ‘Whose, the ‘likeness, this’? And whose inscription?’” (CG) In the previous verse, Jesus asked for the coin of the census. Complying with His request, they offered Him a denarius. With that now in His hand, Matthew next records, “And He says to them, ‘Whose, the ‘likeness, this’?’” This is a new word, eikon, which signifies a likeness. HELPS Word Studies says “properly, ‘mirror-like representation,’ referring to what is very close in resemblance (like a ‘high-definition’ projection, as defined by the context).” In 2 Corinthians  Another new word is seen, epigraphé, an inscription. The word is derived from epi, upon, and graphó, to grave, particularly to write. Thus, a literal translation would be to upon-write. However, this is what an inscription is: something written upon an object, paper, etc. This word is found only in the synoptic gospels. Some older translations say “superscription,” but that is technically off. A superscription is written on the top, outside, or above something else, while an inscription is carved, engraved, or written directly onto a surface or into the main body of an object. One can see the etymological granddaddy of our modern word, epigraph. Of this coin, Vincent’s Word Studies says – “Images on coins were not approved by the Jews. Out of respect to this prejudice none of the earlier Herods had his own image impressed on them. Herod Agrippa I., who murdered James and imprisoned Peter, introduced the practice. The coin shown to Christ must either have been struck in Rome, or else was one of the Tetrarch Philip, who was the first to introduce the image of Caesar on strictly Jewish coins.” Life application: This is undoubtedly a Roman coin. Jewish coins were not minted with human figures due to prohibitions found in the Law of Moses. In Deuteronomy  The reason for this goes back to Deuteronomy  Israel was to learn to reverence the unseen Lord, never attempting to replicate what they thought He might look like, something that would otherwise lead them directly into idolatry. That, however, didn’t work. Their history, from their very inception at Sinai, was filled with making images and bowing down to them. This is because we as humans desire something tangible and visible to help us process our thoughts or direct our attention to. God knows this, but the lesson had to be lived out. In the coming of Christ Jesus, God has revealed Himself in a way that removes this lack. We now have the image of God in the Person of Jesus. Although the Jews call this blasphemy and many Christians condemn portraying Jesus in photos, as if that is idolatry, it is exactly what God has allowed. The same people who get bent out of shape over a painting of Jesus’ face will never have a problem with a painting of Jesus riding on a donkey, as if the scenery changes the intent. Jesus is represented in plays and movies as an evangelism tool. This is applauded by the same people, but for some reason, having a portrait of Jesus sends them into a conniption. This is illogical. God has given His Son to the world as a means of understanding Him. The humanity of Jesus allows us to understa