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Luke 20:20-26
New International Version
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.
Luke 20:20-26
Holman Christian Standard Bible
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
New International Version (NIV) 
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Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
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