Luke 20:24

KJV

Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

KJV (with Strong's)

Shew {G1925} me {G3427} a penny {G1220}. Whose {G5101} image {G1504} and {G2532} superscription {G1923} hath it {G2192}? They answered {G611} and {G1161} said {G2036}, Caesar's {G2541}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Show me a denarius! Whose name and picture does it have?” “The Emperor’s,” they replied.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said, Cæsar’s.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:24 captures a pivotal moment where Jesus, confronted by religious leaders attempting to ensnare Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, masterfully turns their trap into a profound lesson. By requesting a Roman coin and inquiring about its image and superscription, Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of His questioners and sets the stage for His iconic teaching on the dual responsibilities of allegiance to both earthly authorities and divine sovereignty, demonstrating His unparalleled wisdom and discernment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities in Jerusalem during His final week, as recorded in [Luke 20](/luke/20 "Luke 20 - Jesus' Authority Challenged"). Following their initial challenge to His authority in [Luke 20:1-8](/luke/20-1-8 "Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus' Authority Questioned"), Jesus tells the parable of the wicked husbandmen in [Luke 20:9-19](/luke/20-9-19 "Luke 20:9-19 - Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen"), which clearly indicts the Jewish leaders. Enraged, they then send spies, described in [Luke 20:20](/luke/20-20 "Luke 20:20 - Spies Sent to Trap Jesus"), who feign sincerity to trick Jesus into making a statement that could be used to accuse Him before the Roman governor or alienate Him from the Jewish populace. The question about paying taxes to Caesar was a highly charged political and religious issue, designed to force Jesus into a lose-lose situation. Jesus, however, [perceived their craftiness](/luke/20-23 "Luke 20:23 - Jesus Perceives Their Cunning") and responded with a counter-question, leading directly to the request for the coin in [Luke 20:24](/luke/20-24 "Luke 20:24 - Jesus Asks for a Coin").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Judea was under Roman occupation, and the payment of taxes, particularly the poll tax, was a constant source of resentment and rebellion among the Jewish people. This tax was paid with a Roman denarius, a silver coin bearing the image of the reigning emperor (Tiberius Caesar) and an inscription proclaiming his divinity (e.g., "Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus, Pontifex Maximus"). For many devout Jews, carrying or using such a coin was seen as a compromise of their monotheistic faith and an affront to God, as it violated the second commandment against idolatry. The question "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?" ([Luke 20:22](/luke/20-22 "Luke 20:22 - The Tax Question")) was therefore a theological and political minefield. If Jesus said "yes," He would be seen as a Roman collaborator; if "no," He could be accused of sedition. The very act of producing the coin demonstrated their implicit acceptance of Roman rule and its currency.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' **divine wisdom and discernment** in navigating complex ethical and political dilemmas, demonstrating His ability to see through human cunning and respond with profound truth. Secondly, it addresses the **nature of authority**, distinguishing between earthly governance and divine sovereignty. The coin, bearing Caesar's image, symbolizes the legitimate, albeit limited, authority of the state. This sets the stage for the broader theme of **dual allegiance**, where believers are called to honor both civil authorities and, more importantly, God. This theme resonates throughout the New Testament, particularly in passages discussing the Christian's relationship to government, such as [Romans 13](/romans/13 "Romans 13 - Submission to Governing Authorities") and [1 Peter 2](/1_peter/2 "1 Peter 2 - Living as God's People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **penny (Greek, _dēnárion'_):** From Latin origin, referring to a denarius, a silver Roman coin. This coin was significant as it represented a day's wage for a common laborer and, more importantly, bore the image and inscription of the Roman emperor, symbolizing Roman authority and economic control over Judea.
* **image (Greek, _eikṓn'_):** A likeness, statue, profile, or representation. In this context, it refers specifically to the physical effigy of Caesar stamped on the coin. The presence of the emperor's image signified his ownership and dominion over the currency and, by extension, the land and its people.
* **superscription (Greek, _epigraphḗ'_):** An inscription. This refers to the written text on the coin, typically detailing the emperor's titles, lineage, and often claiming his divine status. The superscription, along with the image, served as a powerful declaration of Roman imperial power and ideology.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shew me a penny."**: Jesus' initial command is a strategic move. Instead of directly answering their loaded question, He shifts the burden of proof and the focus of the discussion. By asking them to produce the coin, He forces His questioners—who were ostensibly seeking to trap Him—to implicitly acknowledge their own use and acceptance of Roman currency, which bore the very symbols of the authority they were questioning Him about. This act immediately exposes their hypocrisy and complicity with the Roman system.
* **"Whose image and superscription hath it?"**: This is the crucial rhetorical question. Jesus points to the two defining features of the Roman coin: the emperor's **image** (Latin: *imago*, Greek: *eikōn*) and his **superscription** (Latin: *superscriptio*, Greek: *epigraphē*). These elements were not merely decorative; they were powerful symbols of imperial sovereignty and often carried blasphemous claims of divinity. By asking whose image and inscription were on the coin, Jesus directs their attention to the source of the coin's authority, compelling them to articulate the very truth they sought to undermine.
* **"They answered and said, Caesar's."**: The religious leaders, despite their cunning intentions, are forced to utter the name of Caesar, thereby acknowledging his authority over the currency and, by extension, the economic and political realities of their lives. This admission is critical, as it serves as the premise for Jesus' subsequent, profound teaching in [Luke 20:25](/luke/20-25 "Luke 20:25 - Render Unto Caesar"), where He distinguishes between obligations to earthly rulers and ultimate allegiance to God. Their answer confirms the legitimacy of Caesar's claim over the coin that bears his mark.

#### Literary Devices
This passage employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Socratic Method**, where Jesus responds to a question with a counter-question, forcing His interlocutors to arrive at the answer themselves and expose their own premises. This technique highlights Jesus' intellectual superiority and pedagogical genius. **Symbolism** is also central, as the Roman **denarius** functions as a potent symbol of earthly authority, economic control, and the pervasive influence of the Roman Empire. The **image** and **superscription** on the coin are further symbolic elements, representing ownership and the claim of sovereignty. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the very individuals attempting to trap Jesus are compelled to provide the answer that undergirds His subsequent teaching, thus inadvertently validating His wisdom and exposing their own craftiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:24 serves as a foundational text for understanding the Christian's relationship to civil authority and the concept of dual citizenship. Theologically, it underscores the principle that earthly governments possess a legitimate, divinely permitted sphere of authority, as evidenced by their ability to mint currency and levy taxes. However, this authority is not absolute; it is subordinate to God's ultimate sovereignty. The coin bearing Caesar's image implicitly contrasts with humanity, which bears the image of God ([Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image")). This distinction sets the stage for Jesus' famous "render unto Caesar... and unto God" statement, emphasizing that while we have obligations to the state, our ultimate allegiance, worship, and very being belong to God, in whose image we are made. This passage calls believers to discerning participation in society, honoring legitimate authority without compromising their primary devotion to the Creator.

* [Matthew 22:15-22](/matthew/22-15-22 "Matthew 22:15-22 - The Question About Paying Taxes")
* [Mark 12:13-17](/mark/12-13-17 "Mark 12:13-17 - Paying Taxes to Caesar")
* [Romans 13:1-7](/romans/13-1-7 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:24, read in conjunction with Jesus' subsequent teaching, offers profound insights for contemporary believers navigating the complexities of civic engagement and spiritual allegiance. It challenges us to reflect on the various "images and superscriptions" that claim our attention and devotion in the modern world—be it national identity, political ideologies, economic systems, or cultural trends. Just as the Jewish leaders were forced to acknowledge Caesar's mark on the coin, we are called to discern what bears the mark of human authority and what truly belongs to God. This passage encourages us to be wise and discerning in our interactions with the world, understanding its systems without being conformed to them. It reminds us that while we are to be responsible citizens, fulfilling our civic duties, our ultimate identity and deepest loyalty are to God, whose image we bear. Our lives should reflect His character and kingdom values above all else, demonstrating wisdom, integrity, and a clear understanding of our primary allegiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "images and superscriptions" of earthly authority do I encounter daily, and how do I discern my appropriate response to them?**
* **In what ways do I balance my civic duties and responsibilities with my ultimate allegiance to God?**
* **How can I apply Jesus' wisdom in responding to tricky or challenging questions in my own life, particularly when my faith is questioned?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask for a coin instead of directly answering the question about paying taxes?**

Answer: Jesus asked for a coin as a brilliant strategic move to expose the hypocrisy of His questioners and shift the focus of the debate. By asking them to produce the coin, He forced them to reveal their own complicity in using Roman currency, which bore the very symbols of the authority they were trying to trap Him with. This act immediately put them on the defensive and provided a tangible object lesson for His subsequent teaching in [Luke 20:25](/luke/20-25 "Luke 20:25 - Render Unto Caesar"), allowing Him to deliver a profound theological truth about dual allegiance without falling into their political trap.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:24, while seemingly a simple exchange about a coin, profoundly foreshadows and affirms the Christ-centered reality of ultimate authority. Jesus, the one who asks "Whose image and superscription hath it?", is Himself the very [image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God"), the one in whom all the fullness of God dwells. The coin bears Caesar's image, signifying his temporal dominion, but Jesus, by His very being and mission, reveals that all creation bears the imprint of God's design and ultimately belongs to Him. His wise discernment in this encounter demonstrates His divine sovereignty over all earthly powers and systems. The question about the coin's ownership points to a deeper truth: just as the coin belongs to Caesar because it bears his image, humanity, created in the [image and likeness of God](/genesis/1-26-27 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity in God's Image"), ultimately belongs to God. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, perfectly fulfills the command to "render unto God the things that are God's," offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice and reclaiming humanity for God. He is the true King, whose [kingdom is not of this world](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World"), yet He holds all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Thus, the penny's image points us to the glorious reality that Christ is the supreme authority, to whom all allegiance is ultimately due, and through whom we are restored to bear God's image truly.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 18:28

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

Luke 20:22

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

Acts 25:8

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

Acts 25:12

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

Luke 23:2

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

Acts 26:32

Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

Philippians 4:22

All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.