Luke 20:22

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

Luke 20:22 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:22

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
] The Syriac and Persic versions here, as in the other evangelists, render it, "head money". The phrase, "for us", is here added, and on it lies the emphasis, and stress of the question; for the doubt pretended, was not whether it was lawful for the Romans to pay tribute to Caesar, but whether it was lawful for them who were Jews, were Abraham's seed, and, as they boasted, were never in bondage, but were the Lord's free people, to pay tribute to an Heathen emperor, or no.

Luke 20:22 In-Context

20 And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, who should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governor.

21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person [of any], but teachest the way of God truly:

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, Why tempt ye me?

24 Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Cesar's.