Matthew 22:19

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.^[a]

Matthew 22:19 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 22:19

Shew me the tribute money
Not any money, or any sort of coin that was current among them; but that in which the tribute was usually paid, which was Roman money: and they brought unto him a penny; not as, being what was the usual sum that was paid for tribute at one time, but as a sample of what sort of money it was paid in, in Roman pence; one of which was seven pence halfpenny of our money.

Matthew 22:19 In-Context

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20 And he saith unto them,Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them,Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Footnotes

• [a]. penny: in value seven pence halfpenny