Luke 20:19-26

English Standard Version

Paying Taxes to Caesar

^19 (A)The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. ^20 (B)So they ^(C)watched him and sent spies, who ^(D)pretended to be sincere, that they might ^(E)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of ^(F)the governor. ²¹ So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and ^(G)show no partiality,^[a] but truly teach ^(H)the way of God. ²² Is it lawful for us to give ^(I)tribute to ^(J)Caesar, or not?” ²³ But he perceived their ^(K)craftiness, and said to them, ²⁴ “Show me ^(L)a denarius.^[b] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” ²⁵ He said to them, “Then ^(M)render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” ²⁶ And they were not able in the presence of the people ^(N)to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.