20 (A)So they (B)watched him and sent spies, who (C)pretended to be sincere, that they might (D)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of (E)the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and (F)show no partiality,[a] but truly teach (G)the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give (H)tribute to (I)Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their (J)craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me (K)a denarius.[b] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then (L)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 (M)to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
  2. Luke 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 And they watched him[a] closely and[b] sent spies who pretended they were upright, in order that they could catch him in a statement, so that they could hand him over to the authority and the jurisdiction of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and do not show partiality,[c] but teach the way of God in truth. 22 Is it permitted for us to pay taxes[d] to Caesar or not?” 23 But seeing through their craftiness, he said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius! Whose image and inscription does it have?” And they answered and[e] said,[f] “Caesar’s.” 25 So he said to them, “Well then, give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!” 26 And they were not able to catch him[g][h] in a statement in the sight of the people, and astonished at his answer, they became silent.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:20 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  2. Luke 20:20 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“watched closely”) has been translated as a finite verb
  3. Luke 20:21 Literally “receive face”
  4. Luke 20:22 Or “the tribute tax”
  5. Luke 20:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  6. Luke 20:24 Some manuscripts have “And they said”
  7. Luke 20:26 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  8. Luke 20:26 Some manuscripts explicitly state “him”

Paying Taxes to Caesar(A)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(B) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(C) 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.(D) 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,(E) and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

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