(160) Paying Taxes to Caesar
Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26
[A]Then the Pharisees went and made plans how they might trap Jesus in His words so they could deliver Him to the power and authority of the governor. They watched Him and sent their disciples, along with the Herodians, to spy on Him. As instructed, the spies pretended to be sincere. [B]They came and said to Him, “Master, we know that you are a man of integrity and rightly preach and teach the way of God in truth, and you show personal favoritism to no man and do not care what they think. Therefore, tell us, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? [C]Should we pay, or should we not pay?”
But Jesus perceived their wicked craftiness. He knew their hypocrisy, and said to them, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? [D]Bring me a denarius so that I may see the tribute money.”
So they brought Him a denarius, and He asked them, “Whose image and inscription does it have?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
[E]At this, Jesus said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
[F]When they heard this, they were amazed at Him and didn’t say another word. Then they left Him and went their way, for they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people.
(160) Paying Taxes to Caesar
Matthew 22:15-22, KJV
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
(160) Paying Taxes to Caesar
Mark 12:13-17, KJV
13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
(160) Paying Taxes to Caesar
Luke 20:20-26, KJV
20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto 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 unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
[A] Mt 22:15-16a, Mk 12:13, Lk 20:20 [B] Mt 22:16b-17, Mk 12:14, Lk 20:21-22 [C] Mt 22:18, Mk 12:15a, Lk 20:23 [D] Mt 22:19-21a, Mk 12:15b-16, Lk 20:24 [E] Mt 22:21b, Mk 12:17a, [F] Mt 22:22, Mk 12:17b, Lk 20:26