Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
- KJV And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
- NKJV And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
- NASB And Jesus said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at Him.
- NLT “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.
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
Jesus tells them to render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's, leaving them amazed.
Overview
Jesus affirms a proper duty to civil authority while reserving ultimate allegiance for God. Since humans bear God's image, we owe our whole selves to Him, a claim that transcends any earthly ruler. His answer escapes their trap and teaches the rightful relationship between government and God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Rom 13:7Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
- 1 Cor 14:24–25But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
- 1 Pet 2:17Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
- 2 Cor 5:14–15For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
- Acts 4:19–20But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
- Matt 22:22And when they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.
- Job 5:12–13He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.
- Prov 24:21My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.
- Matt 22:46No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further.
- Mal 1:6“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’
- Rom 6:13Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
- Rom 12:1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
- Matt 17:25–27“Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”
- Eccl 5:4–5When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.
- 1 Cor 6:19–20Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
- Matt 22:33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
- Prov 23:26My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.
- Mark 12:30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 12:17 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.