Matthew 22:15-22
New Living Translation
Taxes for Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin,[a] 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.
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- 22:19 Greek a denarius.
Matthew 22:15-22
New American Standard Bible
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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 22:15 Lit took counsel
- Matthew 22:15 Lit in word
- Matthew 22:16 Lit it is not a concern to You about anyone;
- Matthew 22:16 Lit do not look at the face of people
- Matthew 22:17 Or lawful; i.e., by Jewish law and tradition
- Matthew 22:17 I.e., a tax on each person in the census
- Matthew 22:18 Or wickedness
- Matthew 22:19 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
