English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.
15
That's when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging.
16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.
16
They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod's followers mixed in, to ask, "Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don't pander to your students.
17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
17
So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?
18
Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, "Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me?
19 Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius.
19
Do you have a coin? Let me see it." They handed him a silver piece.
20 And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"
20
"This engraving - who does it look like? And whose name is on it?"
21 They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
21
They said, "Caesar." "Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his."
22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
22
The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.