Matthew 22:17
in Matthew 22So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?
KJV
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
⋯
This verse in Matthew 22
Context
The coin in His hand
The “tax” in question was the Roman census tax, a head tax levied on Judea since AD 6, when Rome took direct control of the province; it had already sparked a revolt under Judas the Galilean (Acts 5:37 remembers it). Paying it was the daily, hated proof of foreign rule.
The denarius they handed Him was a day's wage, and the standard silver denarius of Tiberius carried the emperor's portrait with the Latin inscription “Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus.” That is why the question was a trap with no safe answer: say “pay,” and He endorses a coin that hails a man as a god's son; say “don't,” and He is a rebel against Rome. His answer, “whose image?”, turns the coin's own claim back on it: the coin bears Caesar's image, but man bears God's.
Sources: Acts 5:37 (the census and Judas the Galilean) · Genesis 1:27 (whose image man bears)
Commentary
13 notes on this verseThis smooth and treacherous enquiry was a kind of challenge to the answerer to fear God rather than Cæsar, and immediately they say, Tell us therefore, what thinkest Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar or not? Should He say tribute should not be paid, the Herodians would immediately accuse Him as a person disaffected to the Emperor.
This site's exposition
conspired to trap Jesus
on Matthew 22:15-17
The Pharisees "conspired to trap Jesus in His words," sending their own disciples along with the Herodians, a party they otherwise opposed. The question of paying "taxes to Caesar" has no safe answer, since yes would turn the crowds away and no would supply grounds for treason.
This site's exposition
pay taxes to Caesar
The tax in question was the Roman poll tax, a charge on each head paid in Roman coin. Adam Clarke sets it apart from the half shekel of Exodus 30:13, which went to the temple. The question sets Caesar's claim against God's.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
From this place we learn by the Saviour's example not to be allured by those things which have many voices for them, and thence seem famous, but to incline rather to those things which are spoken according to some method of reason. But we may also understand this place morally, that we ought to give some things to the body as a tribute to Cæsar, that is to say, necessaries. And such things as are congenial to our souls' nature, that is, such things as lead to virtue, those we ought to offer to God. They then who without any moderation inculcate the law of God, and command us to have no care for the things required by the body, are the Pharisees, who forbad to give tribute to Cæsar, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created. (1 Tim. 4:3.) They, on the other hand, who allow too much indulgence to the body are the Herodians. But our Saviour would neither that virtue should be enfeebled by immoderate devotedness to the flesh; nor that our fleshly nature should be oppressed by our unremitting efforts after virtue. Or the prince of this world, that is, the Devil, is called Cæsar; and we cannot render to God the things that are God's, unless we have first rendered to this prince all that is his, that is, have cast off all wickedness. This moreover let us learn from this place, that to those who tempt us we should neither be totally silent, nor yet answer openly, but with caution, to cut off all occasion from those who seek occasion in us, and teach without blame the things which may save those who are willing to be saved.
What then does the Wisdom and the Word of God do? Jesus allows all their passion to appear for all to see, without them taking back the words they were speaking to no purpose. And like a skillful physician, he then lances their passion with …
For they were now tributaries, their state having passed under the rule of the Romans. Forasmuch then as they saw that Theudas and Judas with their companies for this cause were put to death, as having prepared for a revolt, they were minded to bring Him too by these words into such a suspicion. Therefore they sent both their own disciples, and Herod's soldiers, digging, as they thought, a precipice on either side, and in every direction setting the snare, so that, whatever He should say, they might lay hold of it; and if He should answer in favor of the Herodians, themselves might find fault with Him, but if in their favor, the others should accuse Him. And yet He had given the didrachmas, but they knew not that. And in either way indeed they expected to lay hold of Him; but they desired rather that He should say something against the Herodians. Wherefore they send their disciples also to urge Him thereto by their presence, that they might deliver Him to the governor as an usurper. For this Luke also intimates and shows, by saying, that they asked also in the presence of the multitude, so that the testimony should be the stronger. But the result was altogether opposite; for in a larger body of spectators they afforded the demonstration of their folly. And see their flattery, and their hidden craft. "We know," their words are, "that Thou art true." How said ye then, "He is a deceiver," and "deceiveth the people," and "hath a devil," and "is not of God?" how a little while before did ye devise to slay Him? But they are at everything, whatsoever their craft against Him may suggest. […]
The Medieval Church2 voices
Thinking to placate and disarm Him with praise, they flatter Him, so that when He had let down His guard He would say that it was not necessary to pay the tax, and upon that they would seize Him as an insurrectionist who was stirring …
There follows the question: tell us therefore, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? The census was a tax that was given per head.
5 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Note, It is common for those that oppose one another, to continue in an opposition to Christ and his kingdom. Samson's foxes looked several ways, but met in one firebrand. If they are unanimous in opposing, should not we be so in maintaining, the interests of the gospel?
First, That the Christian religion is no enemy to civil government, but a friend to it. Christ's kingdom doth not clash or interfere with the kingdoms of the earth, in any thing that pertains to their jurisdiction. Secondly, It is the duty of subjects to render to magistrates that which, according to the laws of their country, is their due.
But Jesus perceived their wickedness,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
We see in this passage the first of a series of subtle attacks which were made on our Lord during the last days of his earthly ministry. His deadly foes, the Pharisees, saw the influence which he was obtaining, both by his miracles and by his preaching. They were determined by some means to silence him, or put him to death; they therefore endeavoured to “entangle him in his talk.”
We see in this passage the first of a series of subtle attacks which were made on our Lord during the last days of his earthly ministry. His deadly foes, the Pharisees, saw the influence which he was obtaining, both by his miracles and by his preaching. They were determined by some means to silence him, or put him to death; they therefore endeavoured to “entangle him in his talk.” They sent forth“their disciples ˆ with the Herodians” to try him with a hard question: they wished to entice him into saying something which might serve as a handle for an accusation against him. Their scheme, we are told in these verses, entirely failed: they took nothing by their aggressive movement, and retreated in confusion. The first thing which demands our attention in these verses is the flattering language with which our Lord was accosted by his enemies. “Master,’ they said, ‘we know that thou art true and teacheth the way of God in truth. Neither carest thou for any man for thou regardest not the person of men.How well these Pharisees and Herodians talked. What smooth and honeyed words were these. They thought no doubt that by good words and fair speeches they would throw our Lord off his guard. It might truly be said of them the words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” ( Psalm 55:21 ). It becomes all professing Christians to be much on their guard against flattery. We mistake greatly if we suppose that persecution and hard usage are the only weapons in Satan’s armoury: that crafty foe has other engines for doing us mischief, which he knows well how to work. He knows how to poison souls by the world’s seductive kindness, when he cannot frighten them by the “fiery dart” or the sword. Let us not be ignorant of his devices. “By peace he destroys many.”
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἰπὲ | eipe | do tell | G2036 → | 925 times |
| οὖν | oun | therefore | G3767 → | 497 times |
| ἡμῖν, | hemin | us | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| τί | ti | what | G5101 → | 563 times |
| σοι | soi | You | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| δοκεῖ; | dokei | think? | G1380 → | 62 times |
| ἔξεστιν | exestin | Is it lawful | G1832 → | 31 times |
| δοῦναι | dounai | to give | G1325 → | 412 times |
| κῆνσον | kenson | tribute | G2778 → | 4 times |
| Καίσαρι | kaisari | to Caesar | G2541 → | 29 times |
| ἢ | e | or | G2228 → | 342 times |
| οὔ;¶ | ou | not? | G3756 → | 1664 times |
εἰπὲdo tell
eipeG2036 →925 times
οὖνtherefore
ounG3767 →497 times
ἡμῖν,us
heminG3165 →1936 times
τίwhat
tiG5101 →563 times
σοιYou
soiG4771 →2973 times
δοκεῖ;think?
dokeiG1380 →62 times
ἔξεστινIs it lawful
exestinG1832 →31 times
δοῦναιto give
dounaiG1325 →412 times
κῆνσονtribute
kensonG2778 →4 times
Καίσαριto Caesar
kaisariG2541 →29 times
ἢor
eG2228 →342 times
οὔ;¶not?
ouG3756 →1664 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Luke 2:1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
it leads to
- Luke 3:1
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
- Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
- Luke 3:1
Through
Matthew 17:25“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,…
it leads to
- Matthew 22:21
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
- Matthew 22:19
Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius.
- Romans 13:6–7
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.
- Matthew 22:21
Through
Nehemiah 9:37Its 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.
it leads to
- Deuteronomy 28:33
A people you do not know will eat the produce of your land and of all your toil. All your days you will be oppressed and crushed.
- Deuteronomy 28:33
Through
Acts 28:22But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
it leads to
- 1 Peter 2:12
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
- Acts 24:14
I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and…
- 1 Peter 2:12
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies26
On this verse
On this chapter
- David
- David, a Type of Christ
- How Scripture Shapes Christian Ethics
- Isaac
- It Is Written
- Jesus on the Scriptures
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About Matthew
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew; Jerome, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 70; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Lightfoot, Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae on Matthew; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Severus of Antioch, CATHEDRAL SERMONS, HOMILY 104; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Matthew and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Matthew.