Matthew 22:15-22 - Paying Taxes To Caesar

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words. ¹⁶ They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You do not court anyone's favor because you show no partiality. ¹⁷ Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

¹⁸ But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for the tax." So they brought him a denarius. ²⁰ Jesus said to them, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?"

²¹ They replied, "Caesar's." He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." ²² Now when they heard this they were stunned, and they left him and went away.

¹³ Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to trap him with his own words. ¹⁴ When they came they said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not court anyone's favor, because you show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?" ¹⁵ But he saw through their hypocrisy and said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." ¹⁶ So they brought one, and he said to them, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's."

¹⁷ Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were utterly amazed at him.

²⁰ Then they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They wanted to take advantage of what he might say so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. ²¹ Thus they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²² Is it right for us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar or not?"

²³ But Jesus perceived their deceit and said to them, ²⁴ "Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?" They said, "Caesar's."

²⁵ So he said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

²⁶ Thus they were unable in the presence of the people to trap him with his own words. And stunned by his answer, they fell silent.