Luke 20:22
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:
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, 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, Cæsar’s.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
- KJV
- Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no?
- WEB
- Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
- ASV
- Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
- DARBY
- Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
- BLB
- Is it lawful for us to give tax to Caesar or not?”
- ÅB
- er det oss tillatt å gi keiseren skatt, eller ikke?
- OTB
- Er det da rett for oss å betale skatt til keiseren?»
- B1930
- er det oss tillatt å gi keiseren skatt, eller ikke?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Nehemiah 9:37
And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
Read in contextMatthew 22:17–21
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Read in contextEzra 4:19–22
And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
Read in contextActs 5:37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 17:15
Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
Read in contextEzra 4:13
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
Read in contextNehemiah 5:4
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
Read in contextMark 12:14–17
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 Cæsar, or not?
Read in context