Poll-tax to Caesar

15 (A)Then the Pharisees went and [a]plotted together how they might trap Him [b]in what He said. 16 And they *sent their disciples to Him, along with the (B)Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and [c]do not care what anyone thinks; for You [d]are not partial to anyone. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it [e]permissible to pay a [f](C)poll-tax to (D)Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their [g]malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the (E)coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a [h]denarius. 20 And He *said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, (F)Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 And hearing this, they were amazed; and (G)they left Him and went away.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:15 Lit took counsel
  2. Matthew 22:15 Lit in word
  3. Matthew 22:16 Lit it is not a concern to You about anyone;
  4. Matthew 22:16 Lit do not look at the face of people
  5. Matthew 22:17 Or lawful; i.e., by Jewish law and tradition
  6. Matthew 22:17 I.e., a tax on each person in the census
  7. Matthew 22:18 Or wickedness
  8. Matthew 22:19 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer

The Question about Paying Taxes

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality.(A) 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”(B) 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this and whose title?” 21 They answered, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”(C) 22 When they heard this, they were amazed, and they left him and went away.

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