God and Caesar

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap Him by what He said.^{[a](A) 16} They sent their disciples to Him, with the Herodians.^(B) “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality.^{[b](C) 17} Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar^(D) or not?”

¹⁸ But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show Me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought Him a denarius. ²⁰ “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.

²¹ “Caesar’s,” they said to Him.

Then He said to them, “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”^{(E) 22} When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.

God and Caesar

²⁰ They^[a](A) watched closely^(B) and sent spies^(C) who pretended to be righteous,^[b] so they could catch Him in what He said,^[c](D) to hand Him^(E) over to the governor’s^(F) rule and authority. ²¹ They questioned Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly,^(G) and You don’t show partiality,^[d](H) but teach truthfully the way of God.^{(I) 22} Is it lawful^(J) for us to pay taxes^(K) to Caesar^(L) or not?”

²³ But detecting their craftiness, He said to them,^{[e] 24} “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”

“Caesar’s,” they said.

²⁵ “Well then,” He told them, “give back to Caesar^(M) the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

²⁶ They were not able to catch Him in what He said^[f] in public,^[g] and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.^(N)