Luke 20:24

24 shew me a denary; of whom hath it an image and superscription?' and they answering said, `Of Caesar:'

Luke 20:24 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:24

Show me a penny
A Roman denarius, value seven pence halfpenny of our money. The Persic version adds, "they showed it, he asked of them"; and the Ethiopic version, "and they brought it, and he said unto them", as follows;

whose image and superscription hath it?
for the penny had an head upon it, with something written, as the name of the emperor, whose image it was, his titles, the date of the coin, or some motto on it:

they answered and said, Caesar's;
very likely Tiberius Caesar's, who was at that time emperor of Rome; (See Gill on Matthew 22:20) and (See Gill on Matthew 22:21).

Luke 20:24 In-Context

22 Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?'

23 And he, having perceived their craftiness, said unto them, `Why me do ye tempt?

24 shew me a denary; of whom hath it an image and superscription?' and they answering said, `Of Caesar:'

25 and he said to them, `Give back, therefore, the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;'

26 and they were not able to take hold on his saying before the people, and having wondered at his answer, they were silent.