Matthew 22:15-22 - Paying Taxes To Caesar
15 The Pharisees took counsel how they might trap him in his talk. 16 They sent their disciples with the Herodians to Jesus. They said: Teacher we know you are truthful. You teach the way of God in truth. And you are not partial to the influence of men. 17 Tell us what you think? Is it lawful to pay the poll tax to Caesar, or not?
18 Jesus perceived their wickedness. He said: Why do you test me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the tribute money. They brought a penny (denarius) to him. 20 He asked: Whose image and superscription is on this coin?
21 Caesar's, they said. Then he said: Pay Caesar the things that are Caesar's. Pay God the things that are God's. 22 When they heard it, they were amazed and left him.
13 Pharisees and Herodians went to him that they might catch him in talk. 14 Teacher, they said, we know that you are truthful, and not concerned about what other people think. You truthfully teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Should we pay or should we not pay? Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them: Why do you test me? Show me a denarius. 16 And they brought it. He said to them: Whose is this image and superscription? They said: Caesar's.
17 Jesus said: Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. They greatly marveled at him.
20 They watched him and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous. The spies listened for something in his speech to deliver him up to the authority of the governor. 21 Teacher, they said, we know that you are right in what you say and teach. You are not partial and do not play favorites. Rather you teach the way of God truthfully. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
23 He perceived their craftiness, and replied: 24 Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription does it have? They said, Caesar's.
25 He said to them: Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
26 They were not able to apprehend him in front of the people. They were amazed by his answer and kept quiet.