They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus cleverly flips the question back on them by using the image on the coin as proof of Caesar's authority. This isn't just about paying taxes; it's about recognizing that the image of God stamped on us means our ultimate allegiance and all of who we are belongs to Him.
They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
These religious leaders, aiming to trap Jesus, ask if it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. After Jesus asks about whose image is on the coin, they admit it's Caesar's. Jesus then uses their acknowledgment of Caesar's authority on the coin to pivot to a higher principle about our ultimate allegiance.
The Pharisees thought they had Jesus trapped with a question about taxes. But the coin itself held a deeper message, revealing Jesus' masterful insight into true allegiance.
Jesus’ response, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,' hinges on the image stamped on the coin. The Roman denarius bore the image and inscription of Emperor Tiberius. By using and accepting this currency, the Jewish people, as commentators note, were implicitly acknowledging Caesar's authority and sovereignty over them.
Jesus uses this practical reality to establish a principle:.
While Jesus affirmed paying taxes to Caesar, he immediately pivoted to a higher, non-negotiable claim. What belongs to God is absolute.
Jesus doesn't stop with Caesar. The crucial part of his answer is, '...and to God the things that are God's.' This isn't just about avoiding a conflict; it's about recognizing two distinct, yet often overlapping, realms of authority.
The Divine Dominion
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Understand the original words
Kaisar · Greek Noun
The Roman emperor, representing the governing secular authority to whom civil duties and taxes are owed. In a biblical context, it highlights the tension between earthly citizenship and the believer's ultimate allegiance to God.
apodidomi · Greek Verb
To give back, pay, or restore what is owed. In a biblical sense, it implies a debt or duty that must be fulfilled in accordance with established authority or divine command.
Theos · Greek Noun
The Supreme Being and Creator, who holds ultimate ownership over all of creation and to whom humanity owes absolute worship, obedience, and life itself. The phrase signifies that while earthly authorities exist, God has an exclusive claim on the entirety of human existence.
Jesus' famous response highlights the complex relationship between religious and civic duties, a tension that intensified as Roman occupation grew and ultimately led to rebellion.
63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome, under Pompey, conquers Judea, initiating a period of Roman influence and eventual direct rule.
AD 14
Tiberius becomes Emperor
Tiberius succeeds Augustus as Emperor of Rome, reigning during Jesus' ministry. His image would be on the coins used by the Jews.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
During this period, Jesus engaged in public teaching and faced increasing opposition from Jewish religious leaders.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Encounter with Pharisees and Herodians
Jesus is questioned by a coalition of Pharisees and Herodians about the legitimacy of paying taxes to Caesar, a politically charged issue.
c. AD 49
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius banishes Jews from Rome, indicating ongoing tension between Jewish communities and Roman authorities across the empire.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War
The Jewish revolt against Roman rule culminates in the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, a profound tragedy for Jewish people.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' teaching, calling believers to submit to governing authorities as divinely appointed and to render what is due to them, just as Jesus instructed regarding Caesar.
1 Peter 2:13-17Peter reinforces the idea of submitting to earthly rulers for the Lord's sake, highlighting that obedience to the state, when not in conflict with obedience to God, is part of living a life that honors God.
Acts 5:29When faced with a similar dilemma of conflicting authorities, Peter and the apostles declared, 'We must obey God rather than men,' providing a crucial principle for discerning when loyalty to God supersedes loyalty to human rulers.
Exodus 30:11-16This passage details the temple tax, which was a clear example of 'the things of God' that the people were obligated to pay, illustrating the distinct financial obligations owed to God.
Daniel 3:1-30The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to bow to the golden image shows the ultimate limit of earthly authority; while they were willing to serve the king, they would not compromise their worship of God.
barnesMatthew 22:21: "They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
Render, therefore, to Caesar ... - Caesar's image and name on the coin proved that it was his. It was proper, therefore, to give it back to him when he called for it. But while this was done, Jesus took occasion to charge them, also, to give to God what he claimed. This may mean either, 1. The annual tribute due to the temple…
ellicottMatthew 22:21: "They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
(21) Render therefore unto Cæsar. —As far as the immediate question was concerned, this was of course an answer in the affirmative. It recognised the principle that the acceptance of the emperor’s coinage was an admission of his de facto sovereignty. But the words that followed raised the discussion into a higher region, and a…
Jesus cleverly flips the question back on them by using the image on the coin as proof of Caesar's authority. This isn't just about paying taxes; it's about recognizing that the image of God stamped on us means our ultimate allegiance and all of who we are belongs to Him.
These religious leaders, aiming to trap Jesus, ask if it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. After Jesus asks about whose image is on the coin, they admit it's Caesar's. Jesus then uses their acknowledgment of Caesar's authority on the coin to pivot to a higher principle about our ultimate allegiance.
These religious leaders, aiming to trap Jesus, ask if it's lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. After Jesus asks about whose image is on the coin, they admit it's Caesar's. Jesus then uses their acknowledgment of Caesar's authority on the coin to pivot to a higher principle about our ultimate allegiance.
"They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”" — Jesus cleverly flips the question back on them by using the image on the coin as proof of Caesar's authority. This isn't just about paying taxes; it's about recognizing that the image of God stamped…
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Last reviewed October 2026