Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This question wasn't just about taxes; it was a trap designed to make Jesus choose between loyalty to God and loyalty to Rome. By asking if it's "lawful" (meaning permissible according to God's law), they were forcing Him to take a side in a deeply divisive political and religious conflict.
Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is being tested by religious leaders who, along with their political rivals, have plotted to trap him. They present him with a question designed to force him into an impossible situation: if he says it's lawful to pay taxes to the Roman emperor, he'll alienate the crowds who resent Roman rule; if he says it's unlawful, he can be accused of sedition to the Romans. This sets the stage for Jesus' famous "Render unto Caesar" response, which cleverly sidesteps their trap and reveals a deeper principle about dividing earthly and heavenly allegiances.
These religious leaders came to Jesus with a loaded question, masking their intentions with compliments. What does this tell us about how people try to manipulate others, even today?
The Pharisees and their allies, the Herodians, had a dangerous agenda. They wanted to trap Jesus. If Jesus said it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the crowds who resented Roman rule would see Jesus as a traitor. If He said it was not lawful, they could accuse Him of inciting rebellion against Rome. They buttered Him up first, calling Him 'Teacher' and acknowledging His reputation for truth. But this was all a ploy to catch Him. Jesus saw right through their deception, recognizing their 'wickedness' and 'hypocrisy.'
Jesus used a simple coin to expose a profound truth about loyalty and identity. What does that coin reveal about who we owe what?
Jesus’ response, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,' is brilliant. He takes a Roman coin, the denarius, which bears Caesar's image and inscription. This physical evidence means the coin itself belongs to Caesar. Paying taxes with it acknowledges Caesar's authority in the earthly realm.
But the profound part is the second half: 'and to God what is God’s.' What bears God’s image and inscription? Humanity! We are created in God’s image. Therefore, our ultimate allegiance, our very selves, belong to God. This wasn’t about picking a side; it was about rightly dividing loyalties. Caesar gets his due, but God gets everything that belongs to Him—which is us.
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Paying taxes to an earthly ruler wasn't the main issue. The real question was about ultimate authority. What does this teach us about prioritizing God's rule in our lives?
The question about paying taxes to Caesar touched a nerve for many Jews. They saw themselves as God’s chosen people, with God as their only King. Paying tribute to a foreign emperor felt like a betrayal of their unique covenant relationship with God. Some, like Judas of Galilee, even led rebellions over it, believing it was unlawful to submit to any ruler but God.
Jesus, by distinguishing between 'Caesar’s' and 'God’s,' reframed the issue. He affirmed that earthly authorities have a legitimate, though limited, sphere of rule. However, he insisted that God's sovereignty is supreme. Our deepest allegiance belongs to God. This principle means that when human laws or demands conflict with God's clear commands, our obedience must be to God first. Our identity and ultimate loyalty are rooted in Him, not in any earthly empire or government.
Understand the original words
kēnsos · Greek Noun
A formal tribute, levy, or tax imposed by a governing authority upon subjects. In a Roman context, it represented submission to the empire.
This question arose in a highly charged political environment where Roman taxation was a major point of contention for Jewish nationalists, making Jesus' answer a delicate tightrope walk.
c. 6 BC - AD 30
Reign of Tiberius Caesar
Tiberius Caesar served as the Roman Emperor during Jesus' ministry. He was known for his vices but maintained Roman authority over Judea.
c. AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Governs Judea
Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect of Judea, responsible for maintaining order and collecting taxes. His tenure was marked by insensitivity to Jewish religious customs.
Various dates leading up to Jesus' ministry
Jewish Resistance to Roman Taxation
Groups like the Zealots, inspired by Judas the Gaulonite, resisted Roman rule and taxation, viewing it as a violation of their covenant with God. This created a volatile political climate.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus is Questioned About Paying Taxes
Pharisees and Herodians, seeking to trap Jesus, asked if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. This question forced Jesus to navigate the tension between religious allegiance and civil obedience.
c. AD 33
Jesus' Crucifixion
The accusation that Jesus forbade paying taxes to Caesar was later used against him by his accusers during his trial before Pilate.
This passage echoes Jesus' teaching by directly stating that tribute should be paid to whom it is due, reinforcing the principle of respecting civil authority.
Mark 12:15This passage is from the parallel account in Mark's Gospel, providing a slightly different phrasing of the same encounter and highlighting Jesus' awareness of their 'hypocrisy'.
Luke 20:22Luke's Gospel also records this event, emphasizing Jesus' shrewdness in discerning their motives by asking, 'Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?'
Acts 5:37This passage mentions Judas of Galilee, who incited a rebellion based on the principle of not paying taxes, showing the real-world tension and ideological opposition that Jesus was navigating.
ellicottMatthew 22:17: "Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?"
(17) Is it lawful to give tribute . . .? —The question was obviously framed as a dilemma. If answered in the affirmative, the Pharisees would be able to denounce Him to the people as a traitor to His country, courting the favour of their heathen oppressors. If in the negative, the Herodians (on the assumption which seems the more probable) could accuse Him, as He was eventually accused, of…
henryMatthew 22:15-22: "Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk."
22:15-22 The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for full subjection to the Roman emperor. Though opposed to each other, they joined against Christ. What they said of Christ was right; whether they knew it or not, blessed be God we know it. Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher, and a bold reprover. Christ saw their wickedness. Whatever mask the hy…
This question wasn't just about taxes; it was a trap designed to make Jesus choose between loyalty to God and loyalty to Rome. By asking if it's "lawful" (meaning permissible according to God's law), they were forcing Him to take a side in a deeply divisive political and religious conflict.
Jesus is being tested by religious leaders who, along with their political rivals, have plotted to trap him. They present him with a question designed to force him into an impossible situation: if he says it's lawful to pay taxes to the Roman emperor, he'll alienate the crowds who resent Roman rule; if he says it's unlawful, he can be accused of sedition to the Romans. This sets the stage for Jesus' famous "Render unto Caesar" response, which cleverly sidesteps their trap and reveals a deeper principle about dividing earthly and heavenly allegiances.
Jesus is being tested by religious leaders who, along with their political rivals, have plotted to trap him. They present him with a question designed to force him into an impossible situation: if he says it's lawful to pay taxes to the Roman emperor, he'll alienate the crowds who resent Roman rule; if he says it's unlawful, he can be accused of sedition to the Romans. This sets the stage for Jesus' famous "Render unto Caesar" response, which cleverly sidesteps their trap and reveals a deeper principle about dividing earthly and heavenly allegiances.
"Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”" — This question wasn't just about taxes; it was a trap designed to make Jesus choose between loyalty to God and loyalty to Rome. By asking if it's "lawful" (meaning permissible according to God's law),…
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Last reviewed October 2026