Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
Parallel translations
- WEB Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
- BSB Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
- NKJV Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
- NASB Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
- NLT Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
They ask whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. The question is a trap designed to discredit Jesus whichever way he answers.
Overview
A yes would alienate the people who resented Roman taxation, while a no could brand Jesus a rebel before Rome. The cleverly devised dilemma was meant to destroy him politically. Jesus's reply will transcend the trap and teach an enduring truth about God and earthly authority.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Neh 9:37And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
- Mark 12:14–17And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
- Neh 5:4There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
- Ezra 9:7Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
- Deut 17:15Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
- Matt 22:17–21Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
- Ezra 4:19–22And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
- Acts 5:37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
- Ezra 4:13Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
- Matt 17:25He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 20:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.