Good News Translation GNT
New International Version NIV
19 The teachers of the Law and the chief priests tried to arrest Jesus on the spot, because they knew that he had told this parable against them; but they were afraid of the people.
19
The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.
20 So they looked for an opportunity. They bribed some men to pretend they were sincere, and they sent them to trap Jesus with questions, so that they could hand him over to the authority and power of the Roman Governor.
20
Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.
21 These spies said to Jesus, "Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is right. We know that you pay no attention to anyone's status, but teach the truth about God's will for people.
21
So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
22 Tell us, is it against our Law for us to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?"
22
Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 But Jesus saw through their trick and said to them,
23
He saw through their duplicity and said to them,
24 "Show me a silver coin. Whose face and name are these on it?" "The Emperor's," they answered.
24
“Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”“Caesar’s,” they replied.
25 So Jesus said, "Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God."
25
He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
26 There before the people they could not catch him in a thing, so they kept quiet, amazed at his answer.
26
They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.