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20 (A)So they watched Him, and sent spies who [a]pretended to be righteous, so (B)that they might [b]catch Him in some statement, in order to deliver Him to the rule and the authority of (C)the governor. 21 And they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You [c]are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. 22 Is it [d]lawful for us (D)to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23 But He perceived their craftiness and said to them, 24 “Show Me a [e]denarius. Whose [f]likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 And He said to them, “Then (E)render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were unable to [g](F)catch Him in a word in the presence of the people; and marveling at His answer, they became silent.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:20 Lit falsely represented themselves
  2. Luke 20:20 Lit take hold of His word
  3. Luke 20:21 Lit do not receive a face
  4. Luke 20:22 Or permissible
  5. Luke 20:24 A Roman silver coin, approx. a laborer’s daily wage
  6. Luke 20:24 Lit image
  7. Luke 20:26 Lit catch His statement

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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