King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Does Torah permit us to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor or not?”
Berean Standard Bible:
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
American Standard Version:
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Is it lawful{G1832} for us{G2254} to give{G1325} tribute{G5411} unto Caesar{G2541}, or{G2228} no{G3756}?
Cross-References (KJV):
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.
Ezra 4:19
- 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.
Ezra 4:22
- Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
Nehemiah 5:4
- There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards.
Ezra 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.
Acts 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.
Ezra 9:7
- Since the days of our fathers [have] we [been] in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, [and] our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as [it is] this day.
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Commentary for Luke 20:22
Luke 20:22 is part of a larger narrative where the Jewish religious leaders are trying to trap Jesus with a question about the payment of taxes to the Roman Empire. The historical context is crucial to understanding the significance of this verse. At the time, Judea was under Roman occupation, and there was significant tension between the Jewish population and their Roman rulers. The Jews resented the foreign rule and the required tribute to Caesar, which they saw as both an economic burden and an affront to their religious identity, as it symbolized their subjugation to a pagan authority.
The question posed in Luke 20:22, "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?" was a cleverly crafted trap. If Jesus answered that it was lawful to pay the tribute, He would be seen as a Roman sympathizer, potentially alienating the Jewish populace who longed for a Messiah to deliver them from Roman rule. Conversely, if He said it was not lawful, He could be accused of sedition against the Roman Empire, which could lead to His arrest and execution.
By asking for a coin and inquiring whose inscription it bore, Jesus deftly sidestepped the trap. When they answered "Caesar's," Jesus responded with the famous line, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's" (Luke 20:25). This answer affirmed that while it was appropriate to fulfill civic duties, such as paying taxes, it did not negate one's higher duty to God. Jesus' response thus upheld both the temporal authority of Rome and the spiritual authority of God, without directly aligning Himself with either.
The themes present in this verse include the tension between religious and civic duties, the question of loyalty in an occupied land, and the cleverness of Jesus in navigating complex political and religious landscapes. His answer not only provided a principle for how to engage with secular authorities but also highlighted the importance of giving God what is due to Him, which transcends any earthly allegiance. This teaching continues to resonate in discussions about the relationship between faith and governance, and the responsibilities of believers in the context of secular societies.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1832
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔξεστι
Transliteration: éxesti
Pronunciation: ex-on'
Description: third person singular present indicative of a compound of ἐκ and εἰμί; so also neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of εἰμί expressed); impersonally, it is right (through the figurative idea of being out in public):--be lawful, let, X may(-est). - Strong's Number: G2254
There are 167 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμῖν
Transliteration: hēmîn
Pronunciation: hay-meen'
Description: dative case plural of ἐγώ; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we. - Strong's Number: G1325
There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δίδωμι
Transliteration: dídōmi
Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield. - Strong's Number: G5411
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φόρος
Transliteration: phóros
Pronunciation: for'-os
Description: from φέρω; a load (as borne), i.e. (figuratively) a tax (properly, an individual assessment on persons or property; whereas τέλος is usually a general toll on goods or travel):--tribute. - Strong's Number: G2541
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Καῖσαρ
Transliteration: Kaîsar
Pronunciation: kah'-ee-sar
Description: of Latin origin; Cæsar, a title of the Roman emperor:--Cæsar. - Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.