Matthew 22:15-22

Living Bible

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees met together to try to think of some way to trap Jesus into saying something for which they could arrest him. ¹⁶ They decided to send some of their men along with the Herodians^[a] to ask him this question: “Sir, we know you are very honest and teach the truth regardless of the consequences, without fear or favor. ¹⁷ Now tell us, is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?”

¹⁸ But Jesus saw what they were after. “You hypocrites!” he exclaimed. “Who are you trying to fool with your trick questions? ¹⁹ Here, show me a coin.” And they handed him a penny.

²⁰ “Whose picture is stamped on it?” he asked them. “And whose name is this beneath the picture?”

²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give it to Caesar if it is his, and give God everything that belongs to God.”

²² His reply surprised and baffled them, and they went away.