11 Bible Verses about Taxation
Most Relevant Verses
Now in those days an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for a census of the whole world.
When they reached Capharnahum, the collectors of the temple-tax came and asked Peter, "Does your teacher not pay the temple-tax?" He said, "Yes." But when he went indoors Jesus spoke first; "Tell me, Simon," he said, "from whom do earthly kings collect customs or taxes? Is it from their own people or from aliens?" "From aliens," he said. Then Jesus said to him, "So their own people are exempt.
Then the whole body of them rose and led him to Pilate. They proceeded to accuse him, saying, "We have discovered this fellow perverting our nation, forbidding tribute being paid to Caesar, and alleging he is king messiah."
When they reached Capharnahum, the collectors of the temple-tax came and asked Peter, "Does your teacher not pay the temple-tax?" He said, "Yes." But when he went indoors Jesus spoke first; "Tell me, Simon," he said, "from whom do earthly kings collect customs or taxes? Is it from their own people or from aliens?" "From aliens," he said. Then Jesus said to him, "So their own people are exempt.read more.
However, not to give any offence to them, go to the sea, throw a hook in, and take the first fish you bring up. Open its mouth and you will find a five-shilling piece; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to trap him in talk. They sent him their disciples with the Herodians, who said, "Teacher, we know you are sincere and that you teach the Way of God honestly and fearlessly; you do not court human favour. Tell us, then, what you think about this. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"read more.
But Jesus detected their malice. He said, "Why do you tempt me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for taxes." So they brought him a shilling. Then Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness, whose inscription is this?" "Caesar's," they said. Then he told them, "Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give God what belongs to God." When they heard that they marvelled; then they left him and went away.
But they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to him for the purpose of catching him with a question. They came up and said to him, "Teacher, we know you are sincere and fearless; you do not court human favour, you teach the Way of God honestly. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Are we to pay, or are we not to pay?" But he saw their trick and said to them, "Why tempt me? Bring me a shilling. Let me see it."read more.
So they brought one. He said, "Whose likeness, whose inscription is this?" "Caesar's," they said. Jesus said to them, "Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give God what belongs to God." He astonished them.
So watching their chance they sent spies who pretended to be honest persons, in order to seize on what he said and get him handed over to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. They put this question to him, "Teacher, we know you are straight in what you say and teach, you do not look to human favour but teach the Way of God honestly. Is it right for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?"read more.
But he noted their knavery and said to them, "Show me a shilling. Whose likeness and inscription does it bear?" "Caesar's," they replied. "Well then," he said to them, "give Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give God what belongs to God." So they could not seize on what he said before the people, and marvelling at his reply they said nothing.
Every subject must obey the government-authorities, for no authority exists apart from God; the existing authorities have been constituted by God.
Submit for the Lord's sake to any human authority; submit to the emperor as supreme,
Magistrates are no terror to an honest man, though they are to a bad man. If you want to avoid being alarmed at the government-authorities, lead an honest life and you will be commended for it;
Pay them all their respective dues, tribute to one, taxes to another, respect to this man, honour to that.
