Matthew 22:21

They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

They say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Caesar's {G2541}. Then {G5119} saith he {G3004} unto them {G846}, Render {G591} therefore {G3767} unto Caesar {G2541} the things which are {G3588} Caesar's {G2541}; and {G2532} unto God {G2316} the things that are {G3588} God's {G2316}.

"The Emperor's," they replied. Yeshua said to them, "Nu, give the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor. And give to God what belongs to God!"

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

They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

In this pivotal exchange, Jesus masterfully responds to a trap set by His adversaries, providing a timeless principle on the balance between civic duty and divine allegiance.

Context

This verse is part of a series of confrontations Jesus had with religious leaders during His final week in Jerusalem. The Pharisees and Herodians, usually opposing factions, united to pose a loaded question in Matthew 22:17: "Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" Their aim was to force Jesus into a dilemma: if He said "yes," He'd alienate the many Jews who resented Roman occupation; if "no," He'd be accused of sedition. Jesus' request to see the tax coin (a denarius), which bore Caesar's image and inscription, set the stage for His profound answer.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Dual Obligation and Citizenship: Jesus acknowledges that believers have responsibilities to both earthly governments and to God. This principle highlights that our duties to the state (like paying taxes) do not negate our higher duties to God.
  • Ultimate Allegiance to God: While Caesar has a claim on the coin bearing his image, Jesus subtly shifts the focus to what truly belongs to God. Since humanity is created in God's image, our very lives, hearts, and worship are ultimately His.
  • Divine Wisdom and Discernment: Jesus' response brilliantly avoids the political trap, demonstrating His profound wisdom. He doesn't endorse or condemn Roman rule but provides a principle for living faithfully under any government, discerning between earthly and divine claims.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "render" (ἀποδίδωμι - apodidomi) means "to give back" or "to pay what is due." It implies returning something that rightfully belongs to another. This is crucial because it suggests that the coin, bearing Caesar's image, was already Caesar's. By extension, our lives, bearing God's image (εἰκών - eikon), are due to God. The parallel between the physical image on the coin and the spiritual image of God in humanity is a powerful underlying theme.

Practical Application

This timeless verse offers vital guidance for believers today:

  • Fulfilling Civic Responsibilities: Christians are called to be good citizens, obeying laws, paying taxes, and respecting governing authorities, as long as these do not compel them to violate God's commands. This is further elaborated in Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17.
  • Prioritizing God: While we render unto Caesar what is his, our ultimate allegiance and devotion must always be to God. Our lives, talents, and resources should be used to glorify Him. This means seeking His kingdom and righteousness first, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33.
  • Living with Discernment: The passage encourages believers to thoughtfully navigate the complexities of life, discerning the rightful claims of different authorities while always remembering that God holds ultimate sovereignty over all things.
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.

  • Romans 13:7

    ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

  • Acts 4:19

    But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

  • Proverbs 24:21

    ¶ My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change:

  • Malachi 1:6

    ¶ A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Malachi 1:8

    And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, [is it] not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, [is it] not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Matthew 22:37

    Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

  • Daniel 6:20

    And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

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