CAESAR'S THINGS; GOD'S THINGS

Passage: Luke 20:20-26

Key verse: 25b

NIV

Paying Taxes to Caesar(A)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(B) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(C) 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.(D) 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

25 He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s,(E) and to God what is God’s.”

26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

20 (A)So they (B)watched him and sent spies, who (C)pretended to be sincere, that they might (D)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of (E)the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and (F)show no partiality,[a] but truly teach (G)the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give (H)tribute to (I)Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their (J)craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me (K)a denarius.[b] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then (L)render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people (M)to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
  2. Luke 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Double-minded religious leaders (2

-22)

Those who rejected Jesus' spiritual authority were confident about the authority and power of Rome. But they were afraid of the people (19). They sent spies to try to catch Jesus doing or saying something wrong. Their flattery shows that they knew that Jesus taught and lived by the truth. They asked him a hard question. Should God's people pay taxes to an evil oppressor who claimed to be a god? If Jesus said, 'Yes,' he would be supporting evil. On the other hand, to advocate openly not paying taxes would be a crime against Rome. The authorities could arrest him.

2. Give God what is God's (23-26)

Jesus was not political. He came to forgive sin and bring men to God. Human authority and governments are necessary in a sinful world. Governments should be supported and obeyed. But it is more important for men to acknowledge that they are made in God's image and belong to him. When we accept God's sovereignty, both double-mindedness and fear are cast out.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that I belong to you, and do my duty to you and to my country.

One Word: Give to God; give to Caesar