Matthew 22:15-22

Easy-to-Read Version

The Jewish Leaders Try to Trick Jesus^(A)

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees left the place where Jesus was teaching. They made plans to catch him saying something wrong. ¹⁶ They sent some men to Jesus. They were some of their own followers and some from the group called Herodians. They said, “Teacher, we know you are an honest man. We know you teach the truth about God’s way. You are not afraid of what others think about you. All people are the same to you. ¹⁷ So tell us what you think. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

¹⁸ But Jesus knew that these men were trying to trick him. So he said, “You hypocrites! Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong? ¹⁹ Show me a coin used for paying the tax.” They showed Jesus a silver coin. ²⁰ Then he asked, “Whose picture is on the coin? And whose name is written on the coin?”

²¹ They answered, “It is Caesar’s picture and Caesar’s name.”

Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

²² When they heard what Jesus said, they were amazed. They left him and went away.