New Concepts of Reinterpretations

Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25. From Jesus‟ question and answer, he wants the authorities to think the answer of their answer. As they find that the face and name of the Emperor are on the coin, then the taxes belong to him as he deserve to get it. However, there is an implied meaning of Jesus‟ question and answer that triggers a conflict. First, in the Jewish law, Torah, there is an obligation for the Jews to choose one of them to be the king. It can be simply said that the king of the Jewish people should be a Jew. Therefore, to install the foreign king is forbidden Deuteronomy 17:15-16. From what Jesus answers, he seems to allow the governmental system which is run by the foreigner, the Romans. This action is different from what all the Jews understand about the legitimate king. Second, it is not only because of the Roman Emperor is gentile king. It is important to know that tax is one of the important things in a governmental system to support the economic interest of the Empire. It can be said that paying taxes to the Emperor is a way to support the economic interest of the Empire. This kind of activity will of course strengthen the colonial system in a colonized nation. By saying “Well, then pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor”, Jesus actually gives his contribution in strengthen the colonialism by supporting the Empire‟s economic domination in the Jewish land as the colonized nation. It shows the loyalty to the Empire. This action of course shows Jesus‟ paradoxical characteristic as the one who is expected to be the one who set the Jews free from Roman domination. Jesus himself is a preacher who has many disciples and he preaches in many places. Therefore, Jesus always shares his ideology and reinterpretations on Torah to many people. It also can be said that Jesus makes a movement based on his ideology. As Jesus himself seems to support the colonialism then all the Jews who follow him must have the same idea with him. This kind of activity will slowly but sure gives impact to the struggle of anti-imperial resistance in the land. By saying this, Jesus actually weakens the anti-imperial resistance of the Jews. This is what the Jewish authorities very much afraid of. That is why they always try to stop Jesus‟ movement.

2. Reinterpretation of Revenge and Love for Enemies Matthew 5:38-42

In the Jewish law it is written that every fault must be paid fairly Exodus 21:24, Deuteronomy 19:21, Leviticus 24:20. It means that taking revenge is allowed by the Jewish law. However, in an occasion when Jesus is preaching to many people, he says …do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left check too. And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if one of the occupation troops forces you to carry his pack one mile, carry it two miles. When someone asks you for something, give it to him;…Matthew 5:39-42. From what Jesus says, he wants the Jews to know that taking revenge is not allowed. From the examples Jesus gives to people, it is clear that Jesus wants them to pay the evil not with the evil but kindness. This reinterpretation of course brings conflict in the society. Looking from the social context of the Jews at the time, the Jews live under the reality of colonialism. They are on the process of identification, to find their identity. This means that they have to struggle to