Luke 20:24

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

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

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

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

Context of Luke 20:24

Luke 20:24 is part of a crucial encounter where various religious factions attempt to trap Jesus with a trick question concerning the payment of taxes to Caesar. Following previous attempts by the chief priests, scribes, and elders to challenge His authority (Luke 20:1-8), and the parable of the wicked husbandmen (Luke 20:9-19), the religious leaders send spies who pretend to be sincere inquirers (Luke 20:20). Their aim was to catch Jesus in His words, either by having Him deny Caesar's authority (making Him an enemy of Rome) or affirm it (making Him unpopular with the Jewish people who resented Roman rule). Jesus, however, perceived their craftiness and responded with profound wisdom, leading to this specific request for a coin.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Wisdom vs. Human Cunning: This verse highlights Jesus' unparalleled wisdom in navigating a treacherous trap. By asking for the coin, He shifted the focus from a direct "yes" or "no" answer to a visual aid that would expose their own complicity and lead to a deeper spiritual truth.
  • The Nature of Authority: The coin, bearing Caesar's image, served as a powerful symbol of Roman authority and its practical implications in daily life. Jesus' question subtly acknowledges the reality of civil government.
  • Preparation for "Render unto Caesar": This verse sets the stage for the famous statement in Luke 20:25, which outlines the dual responsibilities of citizens to both earthly and heavenly authorities.

Linguistic Insights

The "penny" mentioned here refers to a Roman denarius, a silver coin that was the standard day's wage for a laborer. This coin was significant because it bore the image (Latin: imago) of the reigning emperor, Tiberius Caesar, and a superscription (Latin: superscriptio) – an inscription detailing his titles and often claiming his divinity (e.g., "Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus"). The presence of Caesar's image and inscription on the coin demonstrated his dominion and authority over the land and its economy. The question "Whose image and superscription hath it?" was not merely rhetorical; it forced the questioners to acknowledge the very symbol of Roman sovereignty they were trying to use against Jesus.

Practical Application

Luke 20:24, combined with the subsequent verse, teaches us about the balance between our obligations to civil government and our ultimate allegiance to God. Just as the coin bore Caesar's image, humanity bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This implies that while we are to respect and submit to earthly authorities in their proper sphere, our deepest identity and ultimate devotion belong to our Creator. It encourages believers to be wise in their interactions, to understand the systems of the world, and to live in a way that honors both God and the governing authorities, without compromising spiritual truth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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