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.

27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

32 Last of all the woman died also.

33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

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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.

The Resurrection and Marriage(F)

27 Some of the Sadducees,(G) who say there is no resurrection,(H) came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.(I) 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come(J) and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children,(K) since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[a](L) 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.(M)

Whose Son Is the Messiah?(N)

41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David?(O) 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
43 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’[b](P)

44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(Q) 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:37 Exodus 3:6
  2. Luke 20:43 Psalm 110:1

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.

Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

27 There came to him (N)some Sadducees, (O)those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us (P)that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man[c] must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

34 And Jesus said to them, (Q)“The sons of this age (R)marry and (S)are given in marriage, 35 but those who are (T)considered worthy to attain to (U)that age and to the resurrection from the dead (V)neither marry (W)nor are given in marriage, 36 for (X)they cannot die anymore, because they are (Y)equal to angels and (Z)are (AA)sons of God, being (AB)sons[d] of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, (AC)even Moses showed, in (AD)the passage about the bush, where he calls (AE)the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all (AF)live to him.” 39 Then some of the scribes (AG)answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For (AH)they no longer dared to ask him any question.

Whose Son Is the Christ?

41 (AI)But he said to them, “How can they say that (AJ)the Christ is (AK)David's son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,

(AL)“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
43     until I make your enemies (AM)your footstool.”’

44 David thus calls him Lord, so (AN)how is he his son?”

Beware of the Scribes

45 (AO)And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and (AP)the places of honor at feasts, 47 (AQ)who devour widows' houses and (AR)for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

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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
  3. Luke 20:28 Greek his brother
  4. Luke 20:36 Greek huioi; see Preface

God and Caesar

20 They(A) watched closely(B) and sent spies(C) who pretended to be righteous,[a] so that they could catch him in what he said,(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[b](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,[c] 24 “Show me a denarius.[d] Whose image and inscription does it have?”

“Caesar’s,” they said.

25 “Well then,” he told them, “give 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 in public, and being amazed at his answer, they became silent.(N)

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

27 Some(O) of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,(P) came up and questioned him: 28 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother has a wife, and dies childless, his brother should take the wife and produce offspring for his brother.[e](Q) 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. 30 Also the second[f] 31 and the third took her. In the same way, all seven died and left no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For all seven had married her.”

34 Jesus told them, “The children of this age(R) marry and are given in marriage.(S) 35 But those who are counted worthy(T) to take part in that age(U) and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 For they can no longer die,(V) because they are like angels and are children of God,(W) since they are children of the resurrection. 37 Moses even indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.[g](X) 38 He is not the God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to[h] him.”(Y)

39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 And they no longer dared to ask him anything.

The Question about the Messiah

41 Then(Z) he said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is the son of David?(AA) 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms:(AB)

The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
43 until I make your enemies your footstool.’[i](AC)

44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How, then, can he be his son?”(AD)

Warning against the Scribes

45 While(AE) all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware(AF) of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.(AG) 47 They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.”

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Footnotes

  1. 20:20 Or upright
  2. 20:21 Lit you don’t receive a face
  3. 20:23 Other mss add “Why are you testing me?
  4. 20:24 A denarius = one day’s wage
  5. 20:28 Dt 25:5
  6. 20:30 Other mss add took her as wife, and he died without children
  7. 20:37 Ex 3:6,15
  8. 20:38 Or with
  9. 20:42–43 Ps 110:1

20 (A)So they watched Him, and sent spies who [a]pretended to be righteous, in order (B)that they might [b]catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of (C)the governor. 21 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 detected their trickery 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 saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.

Is There a Resurrection?

27 (G)Now there came to Him some of the (H)Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), 28 and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that (I)if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should [h]marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; 30 and the second 31 and the third [i]married her; and in the same way [j]all seven [k]died, leaving no children. 32 Finally the woman died also. 33 In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For [l]all seven [m]had married her.”

34 Jesus said to them, “The sons of (J)this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to (K)that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are (L)sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in (M)the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord (N)the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 (O)Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for (P)all live to Him.” 39 Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” 40 For (Q)they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.

41 (R)Then He said to them, “How is it that they say [n]the Christ is (S)David’s son? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

(T)The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at My right hand,
43 (U)Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

44 Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”

45 (V)And while all the people were listening, He said to the disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, (W)who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

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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 The denarius was a day’s wages
  6. Luke 20:24 Lit image
  7. Luke 20:26 Lit catch His statement
  8. Luke 20:28 Lit take
  9. Luke 20:31 Lit took
  10. Luke 20:31 Lit the seven also
  11. Luke 20:31 Lit left no children, and died
  12. Luke 20:33 Lit the
  13. Luke 20:33 Lit had her as wife
  14. Luke 20:41 I.e. the Messiah