Matthew 22:15-22 - Paying Taxes To Caesar

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees conspired as to how they could trap Jesus by what He said. ¹⁶ So, they sent their disciples, [along] with the Herodians to Him [Note: These were members of a political party favoring King Herod], saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and that you teach the truth about God's way. You do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone or allow the position of any person to influence you. ¹⁷ So, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"

¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, "Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for paying taxes." And they brought to Him a coin [Note: This coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994]. ²⁰ He said to them, "Whose image and inscription are on this coin?"

²¹ They answered Him, "Caesar's." Then He replied, "Pay to Caesar whatever belongs to Caesar and pay to God whatever belongs to God." ²² And when they heard this, they marveled; then left Him and went away.

¹³ Then the Pharisees sent certain ones of their number [See Matt. 22:15-16] along with the Herodians [Note: This refers to members of a political party favoring King Herod] to attempt to trap Him by what He said. ¹⁴ And when they arrived, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and [that you] do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone. For you do not allow [the position of] any person to influence you, but teach the truth about God's way. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? ¹⁵ Should we pay it, or should we not pay it?" But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, "Bring me the coin so I can see it." [Note: The amount of this coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994]. ¹⁶ So, they brought it to Him and He said to them, "Whose image and inscription [are on this coin]?" And they answered Him, "Caesar's."

¹⁷ Then Jesus replied to them, "Pay to Caesar whatever belongs to Caesar and pay to God whatever belongs to God." And they greatly marveled at Him.

²⁰ And they kept watching Him, [even] sending informants who pretended to be good [men], in order to get hold of something He said so they could turn Him over to the ruling authority of the governor. ²¹ And they asked Him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly and that you do not show partiality to anyone, but [rather] teach the truth about God's way. ²² Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"

²³ But Jesus perceived their trickery, and said to them, ²⁴ "Show me the coin [used for paying the taxes]. [Note: This coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994]. Whose image and inscription are on this coin?" And they answered Him, "Caesar's."

²⁵ He replied, "Then pay to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and pay to God the things that belong to God."

²⁶ And they were not able to get hold of anything Jesus said in front of the people. And they marveled at His answer and did not say anything [further].