Matthew 22:15-22

Tribute to Caesar

15 ¹Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said.

16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the ²Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial * to any.

17 "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a ³poll-tax to ⁴Caesar, or not?"

18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?

19 "Show Me the ⁵coin used for the poll-tax." And they brought Him a denarius.

20 And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"

21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "⁶Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's."

22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and ⁷leaving Him, they went away.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 22:15-22: {Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26}
• 2. Mark 3:6; Mark 8:15; Mark 12:13
• 3. Matthew 17:25
• 4. Luke 2:1; Luke 3:1
• 5. Matthew 17:25
• 6. Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25; Romans 13:7
• 7. Mark 12:12

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "took counsel"
• [b]. Lit "in word"
• [c]. Lit "it is not a concern to You about anyone;" i.e. You do not seek anyone's favor
• [d]. Or "permissible"
• [e]. Or "wickedness"
• [f]. The denarius was a day's wages