Paying Taxes to Caesar

Free Bible Version (FBV)

Mat 22:15–22

15 Then the Pharisees left and met together to plot how they could trap him by what he said.
16 They sent their disciples to him, together with some of Herod's supporters. “Teacher, we know you are a honest man, and that you teach God's way is the truth,” they began. “You don't allow yourself to be influenced by anyone, and you don't care about rank or status.
17 So let us know your opinion. Is it right to pay Caesar's taxes, or not?”
18 Jesus knew their motives were evil. He asked them, “Why are you trying to trap me, you hypocrites?
19 Show me the coin that is used to pay the tax.” They brought a denarius coin to him.
20 “Whose image and whose title is inscribed here?” he asked them.
21 “Caesar's,” they replied. “You should give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God,” he told them.
22 When they heard Jesus' answer they were stunned. They went away and left him.

13 Later they sent some Pharisees with some of Herod's supporters to Jesus in an attempt to catch him out by what he said.
14 They arrived and said, “Teacher, we know you are a truthful person and you don't look for approval, because you don't care about status or position. Instead you teach God's way in accordance with the truth. So is it right to pay tribute to Caesar or not?
15 Should we pay up, or should we refuse?” Jesus, realizing how hypocritical they were, asked them, “Why are you trying to catch me out? Bring me a coin to look at.”
16 They gave him a coin. “Whose is this image, and whose inscription?” Jesus asked them. “Caesar's,” they replied.
17 “Then give back to Caesar what belongs to him, and give back to God what belongs to him,” Jesus told them. They were amazed at his reply.

20 Watching for an opportunity they sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They tried to catch Jesus out in something he said so they could hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.
21 They said, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is good and right, and that you're not swayed by the opinions of others. You truly teach the way of God.
22 So should we pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 But Jesus saw through their trickery, and said to them,
24 “Show me a coin—a denarius. Whose image and inscription is on it?” “Caesar's,” they answered.
25 “Then give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give back to God what belongs to God,” he told them.
26 They weren't able to trap him by what he told the people. They were stunned at his reply, and fell silent.