19
The religion scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them.
20
Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law.
21
So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you're honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don't pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately.
22
Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
23
He knew they were laying for him and said,
24
"Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?"
25
"Caesar," they said. Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his."
26
Try as they might, they couldn't trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless.
27
Some Sadducees came up. This is the Jewish party that denies any possibility of resurrection. They asked,
28
"Teacher, Moses wrote us that if a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother is obligated to take the widow to wife and get her with child.
29
Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless.