GIVE TO GOD WHAT IS GOD'S

Passage: Luke 20:19-26

Key verse: 25

NIV

19 The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him(A) immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.(B)

Paying Taxes to Caesar(C)

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(D) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(E) 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.(F) 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,(G) 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

Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 (A)The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 (B)So they (C)watched him and sent spies, who (D)pretended to be sincere, that they might (E)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of (F)the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and (G)show no partiality,[a] but truly teach (H)the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give (I)tribute to (J)Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their (K)craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me (L)a denarius.[b] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then (M)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 (N)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. Stubborn hearts (19) The religious leaders knew that Jesus had spoken the parable about the tenants against them. Jesus exposed their motives and intentions and warned them of the judgment that would come if they continued to reject him. By rejecting him, they rejected God himself. They also dismissed the witness of all the people who supported Jesus. It was time for them to repent, but they wouldn't. Instead, they looked for a way to arrest Jesus immediately. We must learn from their poor example and pray that God would soften our hearts and lead us to repent of any worldly desires and ambitions that separate us from Jesus. 2. A failed attempt to trap Jesus (2 -26) The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with a question that was impossible to answer. "Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" If Jesus supported taxes, he was a sympathizer. If he didn't, he was subversive. But Jesus saw through their duplicity and his answer astonished them. "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Like the tenants in the parable, they were unwilling to give to God what was God's. What was their answer to this? They were trapped by their own question! They became silent, but their hearts were still hard.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, lead us to repentance.

One Word: Give to God everything that is His