Bible Verses About Citizens: Duties of

The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;

for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,

Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God.

Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.

For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?”

“Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”

“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus declared.

“But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”

So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me?

Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius.

“Whose image is this,” He asked, “and whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”

But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.”

So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.

Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them,

“Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.

So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?