Matthew 22:15-22

International Standard Version

A Question about Paying Taxes^(A)

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and planned how to trap Jesus^[a] in conversation. ¹⁶ They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.^[b] They said, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere and that you teach the way of God truthfully. You don’t favor any individual, because you pay no attention to external appearance. ¹⁷ So tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

¹⁸ Recognizing their wickedness, Jesus asked, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for the tax.”

They brought him a denarius.^{[c] 20} Then he asked them, “Whose face and name is this?”

²¹ They told him, “Caesar’s.”

So he told them, “Then give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

²² When they heard this, they were amazed. Then they left him and went away.