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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 20:22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/20-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/42_Luk_20_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 20:22 - Paying Taxes to Caesar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/20-21.htm" title="Luke 20:21">◄</a> Luke 20:22 <a href="/luke/20-23.htm" title="Luke 20:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] for us to pay taxes (tribute money) to Caesar or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto C锟絪ar, or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Tell us, should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Is it right for us to pay taxes to the emperor or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Tell us, is it against our Law for us to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, or not?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Is it right for us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay the tribute to Caesar, or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay head-tax to Caesar or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“Is it legal for us to give poll tax to Caesar or not?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />is it lawful for us give tribute to Caesar, or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to C锟絪ar, or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />should we pay tribute to Cesar, or no?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Is it allowable to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />is it lawful for us to give tribute to Cesar, or not?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/20-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=8000" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm">Paying Taxes to Caesar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>“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. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1832.htm" title="1832: exestin (V-PIA-3S) -- It is permitted, lawful, possible. ">Is it lawful</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">for us</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dounai (V-ANA) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">to pay</a> <a href="/greek/5411.htm" title="5411: phoron (N-AMS) -- A tax, tribute, especially on persons. From phero; a load, i.e. a tax.">taxes</a> <a href="/greek/2541.htm" title="2541: Kaisari (N-DMS) -- Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.">to Caesar</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not?”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">23</span>But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-17.htm">Matthew 22:17-21</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-14.htm">Mark 12:14-17</a></span><br />“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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-6.htm">Romans 13:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-17</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-24.htm">Matthew 17:24-27</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-29.htm">Acts 5:29</a></span><br />But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Proverbs 24:21</a></span><br />My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/3-16.htm">Daniel 3:16-18</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-13.htm">Deuteronomy 6:13</a></span><br />Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/33-22.htm">Isaiah 33:22</a></span><br />For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/27-17.htm">Jeremiah 27:17</a></span><br />Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon and live! Why should this city become a ruin?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Ezra 4:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-37.htm">Nehemiah 9:37</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or no?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-15.htm">Deuteronomy 17:15</a></b></br> Thou shalt in any wise set <i>him</i> king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: <i>one</i> from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which <i>is</i> not thy brother.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/4-13.htm">Ezra 4:13,19-22</a></b></br> Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up <i>again, then</i> will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and <i>so</i> thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Ezra 9:7</a></b></br> Since the days of our fathers <i>have</i> we <i>been</i> in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, <i>and</i> 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 <i>it is</i> this day.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/14-3.htm">Allowable</a> <a href="/luke/3-2.htm">Caesar</a> <a href="/luke/3-1.htm">Cesar</a> <a href="/luke/6-9.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/luke/19-8.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/luke/14-14.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/luke/20-21.htm">Right</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Taxes</a> <a href="/mark/12-14.htm">Tribute</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">Allowable</a> <a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Caesar</a> <a href="/luke/20-25.htm">Cesar</a> <a href="/john/5-10.htm">Lawful</a> <a href="/luke/20-25.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/luke/23-2.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/luke/20-42.htm">Right</a> <a href="/romans/13-7.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/luke/23-2.htm">Taxes</a> <a href="/luke/23-2.htm">Tribute</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-9.htm">The parable of the vineyard.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-19.htm">Of giving tribute to Caesar.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-27.htm">He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-41.htm">How Jesus is the Son of David.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-45.htm">He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Is it lawful for us to pay taxes</b><br>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.<p><b>to Caesar</b><br>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.<p><b>or not?</b><br>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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is being questioned by the religious leaders. His wisdom and authority are being tested.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_herodians.htm">Pharisees and Herodians</a></b><br>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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/caesar.htm">Caesar</a></b><br>The Roman emperor at the time, representing the occupying power and authority over the Jewish people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The setting of this encounter, a city of great religious and political significance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The location where Jesus is teaching, symbolizing the heart of Jewish worship and authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_response.htm">Wisdom in Response</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dual_citizenship.htm">Dual Citizenship</a></b><br>As Christians, we hold dual citizenship in the kingdom of God and the earthly realm. We must balance our responsibilities to both.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_controversy.htm">Discernment in Controversy</a></b><br>Jesus teaches us to discern the motives behind questions and challenges, responding in a way that honors God and maintains integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_god's_kingdom.htm">Focus on God's Kingdom</a></b><br>While addressing earthly matters, our ultimate focus should remain on God's kingdom and His righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'render_to_caesar'.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Render to Caesar'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jesus'_tax_stance_fit_justice.htm">Mark 12:13-17: If Jesus endorses paying taxes to an oppressive regime, how does that square with calls for justice elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'give_to_caesar'_contradict_jesus.htm">Luke 20:20-26: Does Jesus' command to 'give to Caesar what is Caesar's' contradict other teachings opposing oppressive rulers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jesus_justify_sabbath_healing.htm">Luke 14:3-4: How can Jesus justify healing on the Sabbath, when Old Testament law (Exodus 20:8-11) seems strict about keeping it holy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/20-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Is it lawful</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔξεστιν</span> <span class="translit">(exestin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1832.htm">Strong's 1832: </a> </span><span class="str2">It is permitted, lawful, possible. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">for us</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(hēmas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to pay</span><br /><span class="grk">δοῦναι</span> <span class="translit">(dounai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> </span><span class="str2">To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">taxes</span><br /><span class="grk">φόρον</span> <span class="translit">(phoron)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5411.htm">Strong's 5411: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tax, tribute, especially on persons. From phero; a load, i.e. a tax.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Caesar</span><br /><span class="grk">Καίσαρι</span> <span class="translit">(Kaisari)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2541.htm">Strong's 2541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἢ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not?”</span><br /><span class="grk">οὔ</span> <span class="translit">(ou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/20-22.htm">Luke 20:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/20-22.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 20:22 Is it lawful for us to pay (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/20-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 20:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 20:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/20-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 20:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 20:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>