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Tribute to Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees went and conspired together plotting how to trap Him by [distorting] what He said.(A) 16 They sent their disciples to Him, along with the [a]Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status]. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a [b]poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, asked, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius [a day’s wage]. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “[[c]The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were caught off guard, and they left Him and went away.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:16 A Jewish political party loyal to Herod. The Pharisees, who strongly opposed Herod and Roman rule, and the Herodians, who were strong allies of Herod and Rome, set aside their political differences in order to conspire together against Jesus.
  2. Matthew 22:17 Every Jew was required to pay the poll-tax. It was considered a sign of subservience to Rome.
  3. Matthew 22:21 Tiberius Caesar came to the throne after the death of his stepfather, Augustus, in a.d. 14 and ruled the Roman Empire until his death in a.d. 37. He was a brilliant military general, but an incompetent, irresponsible ruler. Most biblical references to “Caesar” refer to Tiberius.

15 Then tote the ho Pharisees Pharisaios went poreuō out and plotted symboulion lambanō how hopōs they could trap pagideuō him autos in en what he said logos. 16 And kai they sent apostellō their autos disciples mathētēs to him autos · ho along with meta the ho Herodians hērōidianoi, saying legō, “ Teacher didaskalos, we know oida that hoti you are eimi true alēthēs and kai teach didaskō the ho way hodos of ho God theos in en truth alētheia, and kai show deference melei to peri no oudeis one , for gar you are not ou swayed blepō by eis appearances prosōpon anthrōpos. 17 So oun tell legō us hēmeis, what tis do you sy think dokeō? Is it proper to pay didōmi a tax kēnsos to Caesar Kaisar or ē not ou?” 18 But de Jesus Iēsous, perceiving ginōskō · ho · ho their autos evil ponēria intent , said legō, “ Why tis are you testing peirazō me egō, you hypocrites hypokritēs? 19 Show epideiknymi me egō the ho coin nomisma used for the ho tax kēnsos.” So de they ho brought prospherō him autos a denarius dēnarion. 20 And kai Jesus said legō to them autos, “ Whose tis · ho image eikōn is this houtos, and kai whose · ho inscription epigraphē?” 21 They answered legō him autos, “Caesar’ s Kaisar.” Then tote he said legō to them autos, “ Render apodidōmi therefore oun to Caesar Kaisar the ho things that are Caesar’ s Kaisar, and kai to ho God theos the ho things that are · ho God’ s theos.” 22 · kai When they heard akouō this they were astonished thaumazō, so kai they left aphiēmi him autos and went aperchomai away .

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