Luke 20:22
New International Version
Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

New Living Translation
Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

English Standard Version
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”

Berean Standard Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Berean Literal Bible
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"

King James Bible
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

New King James Version
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

New American Standard Bible
Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

NASB 1995
“Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

NASB 1977
“Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Amplified Bible
Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] for us to pay taxes (tribute money) to Caesar or not?”

Christian Standard Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

American Standard Version
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto C�sar, or not?

Contemporary English Version
Tell us, should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?"

English Revised Version
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Is it right for us to pay taxes to the emperor or not?"

Good News Translation
Tell us, is it against our Law for us to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?"

International Standard Version
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

Majority Standard Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not??

NET Bible
Is it right for us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar or not?"

New Heart English Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

Weymouth New Testament
Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?"

World English Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?”

Berean Literal Bible
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"

Young's Literal Translation
Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Is it lawful for us to pay the tribute to Caesar, or not?”

New American Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?”

New Revised Standard Version
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Is it lawful for us to pay head-tax to Caesar or not?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Is it legal for us to give poll tax to Caesar or not?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

Godbey New Testament
is it lawful for us give tribute to Caesar, or not?

Haweis New Testament
Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to C�sar, or not?

Mace New Testament
should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no?

Weymouth New Testament
Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?"

Worrell New Testament
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"

Worsley New Testament
is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paying Taxes to Caesar
21“Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them,…

Cross References
Matthew 22:17-21
So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” / But Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “You hypocrites, why are you testing Me? / Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. ...

Mark 12:14-17
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?” / But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.” / So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. ...

Romans 13:6-7
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work. / Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...

Matthew 17:24-27
After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?” / “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?” / “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ...

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. / If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before Me.

Deuteronomy 6:13
Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.

Isaiah 33:22
For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us.

Jeremiah 27:17
Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon and live! Why should this city become a ruin?

Ezra 4:13
Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.

Nehemiah 9:37
Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.


Treasury of Scripture

Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no?

Deuteronomy 17:15
Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

Ezra 4:13,19-22
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings…

Ezra 9:7
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

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Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














Is it lawful for us to pay taxes
This question was posed to Jesus by the Pharisees and the Herodians, groups with differing views on Roman rule. The Pharisees resented Roman occupation, while the Herodians supported it. The question was a trap to force Jesus into a political dilemma. If He said it was lawful, He could be seen as supporting Roman oppression, alienating Him from the Jewish people. If He said it was not lawful, He could be accused of rebellion against Rome. The issue of paying taxes was contentious, as it symbolized subjugation to a foreign power. The tax in question was likely the poll tax, a denarius per person, which was particularly resented.

to Caesar
Caesar refers to the Roman Emperor, who at the time was Tiberius Caesar. The use of the term "Caesar" signifies the broader Roman authority and governance. The Roman Empire was the dominant political power, and its influence extended over Judea, where Jesus was teaching. The Jews were under Roman occupation, and paying taxes to Caesar was a constant reminder of their lack of political autonomy. The coin used for the tax bore the image of Caesar, which was offensive to many Jews who saw it as a violation of the commandment against graven images.

or not?
The question is framed to demand a clear yes or no answer, further emphasizing the trap set for Jesus. The phrasing suggests a binary choice, forcing Jesus to take a definitive stance. This reflects the broader tension between Jewish religious obligations and the political realities of Roman rule. The question also highlights the broader theme of allegiance and authority, a recurring issue in Jesus' ministry. His response, which follows in the subsequent verses, demonstrates His wisdom in navigating such complex issues, pointing to a higher understanding of God's kingdom versus earthly governance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is being questioned by the religious leaders. His wisdom and authority are being tested.

2. Pharisees and Herodians
These groups are attempting to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to the Roman government, which was a contentious issue among the Jews.

3. Caesar
The Roman emperor at the time, representing the occupying power and authority over the Jewish people.

4. Jerusalem
The setting of this encounter, a city of great religious and political significance.

5. The Temple
The location where Jesus is teaching, symbolizing the heart of Jewish worship and authority.
Teaching Points
Wisdom in Response
Jesus demonstrates wisdom in His response, avoiding the trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians. We should seek God's wisdom in navigating complex situations.

Dual Citizenship
As Christians, we hold dual citizenship in the kingdom of God and the earthly realm. We must balance our responsibilities to both.

Respect for Authority
Jesus' response underscores the importance of respecting and fulfilling our obligations to governing authorities, as long as they do not conflict with God's commands.

Discernment in Controversy
Jesus teaches us to discern the motives behind questions and challenges, responding in a way that honors God and maintains integrity.

Focus on God's Kingdom
While addressing earthly matters, our ultimate focus should remain on God's kingdom and His righteousness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Is it lawful
ἔξεστιν (exestin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible.

for us
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

to pay
δοῦναι (dounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

taxes
φόρον (phoron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5411: A tax, tribute, especially on persons. From phero; a load, i.e. a tax.

to Caesar
Καίσαρι (Kaisari)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

not?”
οὔ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.


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NT Gospels: Luke 20:22 Is it lawful for us to pay (Luke Lu Lk)
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