Luke 20:20-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible
God and Caesar
20 They[a](A) watched closely(B) and sent spies(C) who pretended to be righteous,[b] so they could catch Him in what He said,[c](D) to hand Him(E) over to the governor’s(F) rule and authority. 21 They questioned Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly,(G) and You don’t show partiality,[d](H) but teach truthfully the way of God.(I) 22 Is it lawful(J) for us to pay taxes(K) to Caesar(L) or not?”
23 But detecting their craftiness, He said to them,[e] 24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”
“Caesar’s,” they said.
25 “Well then,” He told them, “give back to Caesar(M) the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”
26 They were not able to catch Him in what He said[f] in public,[g] and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.(N)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 20:20 The scribes and chief priests of v. 19
- Luke 20:20 Or upright; that is, loyal to God’s law
- Luke 20:20 Lit catch Him in [a] word
- Luke 20:21 Lit You don’t receive a face
- Luke 20:23 Other mss add “Why are you testing Me?
- Luke 20:26 Lit catch Him in [a] word
- Luke 20:26 Lit in front of the people
Luke 20:20-26
Lexham English Bible
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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 20:20 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 20:20 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“watched closely”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 20:21 Literally “receive face”
- Luke 20:22 Or “the tribute tax”
- Luke 20:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Luke 20:24 Some manuscripts have “And they said”
- Luke 20:26 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Luke 20:26 Some manuscripts explicitly state “him”
Luke 20:20-26
New International Version
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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