17-18 But Jesus didn’t back down. “Why, then, do you think this was written:

That stone the masons threw out—
It’s now the cornerstone!?

“Anyone falling over that stone will break every bone in his body; if the stone falls on anyone, he’ll be smashed to smithereens.”

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.

Paying Taxes

20-22 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. 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. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

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18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”(A)

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him(B) immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.(C)

Paying Taxes to Caesar(D)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(E) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(F)

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