Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 (A)The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 (B)So they (C)watched him and sent spies, who (D)pretended to be sincere, that they might (E)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of (F)the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and (G)show no partiality,[a] but truly teach (H)the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give (I)tribute to (J)Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their (K)craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me (L)a denarius.[b] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then (M)render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people (N)to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
  2. Luke 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him(A) immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.(B)

Paying Taxes to Caesar(C)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(D) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(E) 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.(F) 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,(G) and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Read full chapter