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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

Taxes for Caesar

20 Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 21 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22 Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their trickery and said, 24 “Show me a Roman coin.[a] Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

26 So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

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Footnotes

  1. 20:24 Greek a denarius.