Matthew 22:19

KJV

Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

KJV (with Strong's)

Shew {G1925} me {G3427} the tribute {G2778} money {G3546}. And {G1161} they brought {G4374} unto him {G846} a penny {G1220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Show me the coin used to pay the tax!" They brought him a denarius;

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 22:19, Jesus, confronted by a deceptive trap laid by the Pharisees and Herodians regarding the legality of paying tribute to Caesar, masterfully requests to be shown the "tribute money." This seemingly simple demand is a pivotal moment, shifting the burden of proof onto His interrogators and setting the stage for one of His most profound teachings on the dual allegiance of believers to both earthly authorities and divine sovereignty, exposing their hypocrisy and revealing His unparalleled wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a series of confrontations between Jesus and various Jewish religious leaders in [Matthew 21-23](/matthew/21 "Matthew 21-23 - Conflicts with Jewish Leaders"). Immediately preceding this, Jesus has silenced the chief priests and elders with parables like the Parable of the Two Sons and the Parable of the Wedding Feast, which expose their rejection of God's invitation and their impending judgment. The question about tribute money in [Matthew 22:15-17](/matthew/22-15-17 "Matthew 22:15-17 - The Trap of the Tribute Money") is a calculated attempt by the Pharisees and Herodians—unlikely allies—to ensnare Jesus, forcing Him to choose between alienating the Jewish populace (by endorsing Roman taxation) or inciting Roman authorities (by rejecting it). Jesus' request for the coin in [Matthew 22:19](/matthew/22-19 "Matthew 22:19 - Jesus Asks for the Coin") is His immediate, brilliant counter-move, leading directly to His famous teaching in [Matthew 22:21](/matthew/22-21 "Matthew 22:21 - Render to Caesar and to God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was under Roman occupation, and the imperial poll tax was a constant source of resentment among the Jewish people. This tax, levied on every adult, was particularly galling because it required payment with a Roman coin, specifically the silver denarius. This coin typically bore the image of the reigning emperor (at this time, Tiberius Caesar) and an inscription proclaiming his divinity (e.g., "Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus"). For many Jews, who strictly adhered to the Second Commandment against graven images and idolatry, the very presence and use of such a coin for religious purposes or even daily transactions was considered a defilement and a symbol of their subjugation. The question posed to Jesus was not merely economic or political; it was deeply theological and nationalistic, aiming to trap Him in a dilemma that would either undermine His religious authority or expose Him as a rebel.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 22:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament. It highlights Jesus' **divine wisdom and discernment**, showcasing His ability to navigate treacherous human schemes with supernatural insight, as seen also in His encounters regarding His authority in [Matthew 21:23-27](/matthew/21-23-27 "Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Questioned"). The verse also underscores the theme of **hypocrisy**, revealing the duplicity of the religious leaders who, despite their outward piety, were willing to compromise their principles by carrying and using the very Roman currency they questioned, a theme frequently addressed by Jesus (e.g., [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for the profound teaching on **dual citizenship and allegiance**, prompting a discussion about the appropriate relationship between believers and earthly governing authorities versus their ultimate allegiance to God's kingdom, a concept further developed in passages like [Romans 13:1-7](/romans/13-1-7 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shew (Greek, _epideíknymi'_):** From *epi* (upon) and *deiknymi* (to show), this verb means "to exhibit" or "to display," whether physically or mentally. Jesus' command is not a casual request but a direct, authoritative instruction for His interrogators to produce the very object of their contentious question. It forces them to reveal their own complicity in the system they are questioning.
* **tribute (Greek, _kēnsos'_):** Of Latin origin (census), this term properly refers to an enrollment or registration for taxation, and by implication, the tax itself. In this context, it specifically denotes the Roman poll tax, a direct imperial tax levied on individuals. Its significance lies in its political and religious implications for the Jewish people, who viewed it as a symbol of their subjugation and a potential violation of their covenant with God.
* **penny (Greek, _dēnárion'_):** Of Latin origin, this refers to a denarius, a Roman silver coin. It was the standard coin for the imperial poll tax and was equivalent to a typical day's wage for a common laborer. Critically, the denarius bore the image of the Roman Emperor and often a pagan inscription, making its use for religious purposes or even its mere possession a point of contention for devout Jews, yet Jesus' interrogators readily produced it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shew me the tribute money."**: This is Jesus' direct and authoritative command, a brilliant counter-move to the trap set for Him. Instead of immediately answering the loaded question, Jesus demands to see the very object of their inquiry. This action immediately shifts the focus from a theoretical debate to a tangible reality, forcing His questioners to produce the evidence of their own engagement with the Roman system. It also subtly exposes their hypocrisy, as they carry and use the very coin whose legitimacy they are questioning.
* **"And they brought unto him a penny."**: The immediate compliance of the Pharisees and Herodians underscores the effectiveness of Jesus' command. They readily produce a denarius, the specific Roman coin used for the imperial poll tax. This act of bringing the coin confirms their own possession and use of it, thereby implicating them in the very system they are attempting to use against Jesus. The "penny" (denarius) itself becomes a silent witness, a tangible symbol of Roman authority and the very point of contention.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 22:19 is rich with **Irony** and **Symbolism**. The primary **Irony** lies in the fact that Jesus' interrogators, who sought to trap Him over a matter of adherence to Jewish law and resistance to Roman authority, are themselves carrying and readily produce the very Roman coin that symbolizes their complicity with the imperial system. Their attempt to expose Jesus' supposed disloyalty instead exposes their own hypocrisy. The "penny," or denarius, functions as powerful **Symbolism**. It represents not just monetary value but the oppressive Roman occupation, the emperor's claim to divinity, and the tension between earthly and divine allegiances. Jesus' request for this specific coin transforms it from a mere object of commerce into a profound theological prop, setting the stage for His subsequent teaching on rendering to Caesar and to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:19, though a brief exchange, is profoundly significant as it encapsulates Jesus' divine wisdom in navigating human traps and establishes the groundwork for a foundational teaching on the Christian's relationship with both temporal and eternal authorities. It highlights the tension between the demands of earthly government and the ultimate allegiance owed to God. Jesus' request for the coin forces His adversaries to confront their own entanglement with the very system they decry, subtly revealing their hypocrisy and setting the stage for His declaration that believers operate under a dual citizenship – one in the earthly realm and one in the heavenly. This passage thus speaks to the believer's responsibility to honor earthly laws and pay taxes, while never compromising their ultimate devotion and worship of God alone.

* [Romans 13:7](/romans/13-7 "Romans 13:7 - Render to All Their Dues")
* [1 Peter 2:13-17](/1_peter/2-13-17 "1 Peter 2:13-17 - Submission to Authority")
* [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:19 offers more than just a historical account; it provides a profound model for how believers can navigate complex ethical and political dilemmas with wisdom and integrity. Jesus' approach teaches us not to be easily drawn into divisive arguments or false dichotomies. Instead, He demonstrates the importance of understanding the underlying realities of a situation, discerning the true motives of others, and responding with a clarity that transcends the immediate challenge. For us today, this means carefully examining the "coins" of our own lives—the systems, values, and authorities we engage with—and asking whether our participation aligns with our ultimate allegiance to God. It challenges us to live with integrity, avoiding hypocrisy, and to seek divine wisdom in all our interactions, ensuring that our actions truly reflect our faith rather than merely conforming to worldly pressures or political expediency.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when I feel trapped or pressured by difficult questions or situations?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently carrying "tribute money" that compromises my ultimate allegiance to God?**
* **How can I cultivate the wisdom and discernment that Jesus demonstrated in this passage to navigate complex ethical dilemmas today?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus ask to see the tribute money instead of answering the question directly?**

Answer: Jesus' request to see the tribute money was a brilliant strategic move. Instead of falling into the trap of a direct "yes" or "no" answer, which would have either alienated the Jewish populace or incriminated Him with Roman authorities, Jesus shifted the burden of proof onto His questioners. By asking them to produce the coin, He forced them to reveal their own possession and use of the Roman denarius, which bore the emperor's image and often a pagan inscription. This act immediately exposed their hypocrisy, as they, devout Jews, were actively participating in the very system they were questioning. It also provided a tangible object for His subsequent teaching on rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's [Matthew 22:21](/matthew/22-21 "Matthew 22:21 - Render to Caesar and to God"), turning their trap into an opportunity for profound spiritual instruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:19, with Jesus' request for the tribute money, serves as a powerful Christ-centered moment, foreshadowing His ultimate authority and the nature of His kingdom. By demanding the coin, Jesus reveals His divine insight into the hearts of His questioners and the true nature of worldly power. He is not merely a political revolutionary or a religious zealot; He is the Lord who transcends earthly systems, even as He engages with them. The image on the coin, claiming Caesar's divinity, stands in stark contrast to the true image of God, which humanity is created to bear [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Creation in God's Image"). Jesus, as the perfect image of the invisible God [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God"), perfectly embodies what it means to render to God what is God's. His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate that true allegiance is not to a temporal ruler or a piece of metal, but to the King of Kings, who has all authority in heaven and on earth [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"). Ultimately, the "penny" represents the world's claim, but Christ's teaching points to a higher reality where our very being, made in God's image, belongs to Him, redeemed by the ultimate price of His own blood [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-18 - Redeemed by Christ's Blood").

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.

Revelation 6:6

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

Matthew 20:2

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.