20 (A)And so they watched Him [a]closely, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order (B)that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could hand Him over to the jurisdiction and authority of (C)the governor. 21 And the spies questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You [b]are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God on the basis of truth. 22 Is it [c]permissible for us (D)to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23 But He saw through their trickery and said to them, 24 “Show Me a [d]denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 And He said to them, “Then (E)pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were unable to (F)catch Him in a statement in the presence of the people; and they were amazed at His answer, and said nothing.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:20 Or maliciously
  2. Luke 20:21 Lit do not receive a face
  3. Luke 20:22 I.e., by Jewish law and tradition
  4. Luke 20:24 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

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