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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>Matthew 22:20 "Whose image is this," He asked, "and whose inscription?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/22-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/40_Mat_22_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 22:20 - Paying Taxes to Caesar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Whose image is this, He asked, and whose inscription?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/22-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/22-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/22.htm">Chapter 22</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" 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="/matthew/22-19.htm" title="Matthew 22:19">◄</a> Matthew 22:20 <a href="/matthew/22-21.htm" title="Matthew 22:21">►</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/matthew/22.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/matthew/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />and he asked them, &#8220Whose image is this? And whose inscription?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Whose image is this,” He asked, “and whose inscription?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He says to them, "Whose likeness and whose inscription <i>is</i> this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Whose <i>is</i> this image and superscription?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription <i>is</i> this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And He said to them, &#8220Whose likeness and inscription is this?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Whose image and inscription is this? ” he asked them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Whose image and inscription is this?&#8221 He asked them.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and he asked, "Whose picture and name are on it?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He said to them, "Whose face and name is this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and he asked them, "Whose face and name are these?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he asked them, "Whose face and name is this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Whose image is this,? He asked, ?and whose inscription??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "Whose image is this, and whose inscription?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He asked them, "Whose is this image and inscription?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he saith to them, Whose is this image, and superscription?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and He says to them, “Whose [is] this image and the inscription?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/22.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He says to them, "Whose likeness and whose inscription <i>is</i> this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he saith to them, 'Whose is this image and the inscription?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he says to them, Whose is this image and inscription?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jesus said to them, Whose is this image and inscription?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/22.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And Yeshua said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/22.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he said to them: Whose image and superscription is this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/22.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And He says to them, <FR>Whose is this image and superscription?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/22.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And he saith unto them, Whose figure is this and inscription?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/22.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and he said unto them, whose image and inscription is this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/22.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Whose likeness and inscription," He asked, "is this?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/22.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And He saith to them, <FR>"Whose is this image and inscription?"<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/22.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And He saith unto them, <FR>Whose image and inscription <Fr><i>is</i><FR> this?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/22-20.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/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6517" 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/matthew/22.htm">Paying Taxes to Caesar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Show Me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tinos (IPro-GMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“Whose</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1504.htm" title="1504: eikōn (N-NFS) -- An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance.">image</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: hautē (DPro-NFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">is this,” </a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">He asked,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">“and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">whose</a> <a href="/greek/1923.htm" title="1923: epigraphē (N-NFS) -- An inscription, title, label. From epigrapho; an inscription.">inscription?” </a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”…<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="/mark/12-16.htm">Mark 12:16</a></span><br />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="/luke/20-24.htm">Luke 20:24</a></span><br />“Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-7.htm">Romans 13:7</a></span><br />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 2:13-14</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26-27</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4</a></span><br />You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-36.htm">Leviticus 19:36</a></span><br />You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Deuteronomy 4:16</a></span><br />that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-10.htm">1 Samuel 8:10-18</a></span><br />So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. / He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. ...<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="/isaiah/40-19.htm">Isaiah 40:19</a></span><br />To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Isaiah 46:6</a></span><br />They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-9.htm">Jeremiah 10:9</a></span><br />Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz—the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-19.htm">Ezekiel 7:19</a></span><br />They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/3-1.htm">Daniel 3:1-7</a></span><br />King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. / Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue he had set up. / So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to them, Whose is this image and superscription?</p><p class="hdg">superscription.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Luke 20:24</a></b></br> Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Image</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-9.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/matthew/22-18.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/daniel/10-16.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/luke/20-24.htm">Portrait</a> <a href="/luke/23-38.htm">Superscription</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/12-16.htm">Image</a> <a href="/mark/12-16.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/matthew/22-23.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/12-16.htm">Likeness</a> <a href="/mark/12-16.htm">Portrait</a> <a href="/mark/12-16.htm">Superscription</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/22-1.htm">The parable of the marriage of the king's son.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">The vocation of the Gentiles.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/22-12.htm">The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/22-23.htm">Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/22-34.htm">answers which is the first and great commandment;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/22-41.htm">and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah.</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/matthew/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Whose image is this,</b><br>In this passage, Jesus is responding to the Pharisees and Herodians who are attempting to trap Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. The term "image" refers to the likeness or representation on the coin, which would have been a denarius. This coin typically bore the image of the reigning Roman emperor, in this case, Tiberius Caesar. The concept of "image" is significant in biblical theology, as it echoes the creation narrative where humans are made in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>). This raises questions about allegiance and identity, suggesting that while the coin bears Caesar's image, humans bear God's image.<p><b>He asked,</b><br>Jesus often used questions to provoke thought and reveal deeper truths. His method of questioning here is strategic, turning the trap set for Him into a teaching moment. This approach is consistent with His teaching style throughout the Gospels, where He uses questions to engage His listeners and lead them to self-reflection and understanding.<p><b>and whose inscription?</b><br>The "inscription" on the coin would have included titles and claims about the emperor, such as "Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus." This highlights the emperor's claim to divinity and authority, which was a common practice in Roman culture. The question of inscription not only addresses the physical markings on the coin but also challenges the audience to consider the broader implications of authority and loyalty. In a broader biblical context, this can be seen as a call to recognize God's ultimate authority over earthly powers, as echoed in passages like <a href="/romans/13.htm">Romans 13:1</a>, which speaks of God's sovereignty over all authorities.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching in the temple courts and is being questioned by the Pharisees and Herodians.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_herodians.htm">Pharisees and Herodians</a></b><br>Two groups that typically opposed each other but united in their attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/caesar.htm">Caesar</a></b><br>The Roman emperor at the time, whose image and inscription were on the coin used for the tax.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_courts.htm">Temple Courts</a></b><br>The setting of this event, where Jesus often taught and engaged with various groups.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/denarius.htm">Denarius</a></b><br>The Roman coin in question, which bore the image and inscription of Caesar, representing the authority and rule of the Roman Empire.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_authority.htm">Understanding Authority</a></b><br>Jesus' question about the image on the coin teaches us to recognize and respect earthly authorities while understanding that our ultimate allegiance is to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dual_citizenship.htm">Dual Citizenship</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to navigate our dual citizenship in the kingdom of God and the world, balancing our responsibilities to both.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/image_and_identity.htm">Image and Identity</a></b><br>Just as the coin bears Caesar's image, we bear God's image. This should influence how we live, reflecting God's character in our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_engagement.htm">Wisdom in Engagement</a></b><br>Jesus demonstrates wisdom in His response, avoiding the trap set by His opponents. We too should seek divine wisdom in our interactions and decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_resources.htm">Stewardship of Resources</a></b><br>The passage challenges us to consider how we use our resources, ensuring that we honor God with what we have been given.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_judeo-christian_ethic.htm">What defines the Judeo-Christian ethic?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_adam_and_eve_possess_belly_buttons.htm">What does Matthew 6:33 mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'render_to_caesar'_conflict_with_serving_god.htm">Matthew 22:15-22: Does Jesus's instruction to 'render to Caesar' conflict with other biblical commands to serve God alone?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_you_avoid_sleeping_too_much.htm">What does 'We shall see Him as He is' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Image and superscription.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">inscription.</span> The coin brought would probably be a silver <span class= "ital">denarius</span> of Tiberius, bearing on the face the head of the emperor, with the inscription running round it containing his name and titles.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Image</span> <span class="cmt_word">and superscription.</span> The figure and inscription on the denarius. Jesus takes the coin, and points to it as he speaks. It must have borne a likeness of the emperor, and,therefore, as Edersheim remarks, must have been either a foreign one (Roman) or possibly one of the Tetrareh Philip, who on some of his coins introduced the image of Tiberius. The coins struck by the Romans in or for Palestine had, in accommodation to Jewish prejudices, no representation of any personage upon them. The Roman denarius at this date had on the obverse side the head of Tiberius, crowned with laurel leaves, and bore the legend, "TI CAESAR DIVI AVG FAVGVSTVS," and on the reverse, a seated female figure, with the inscription, "PONTIF MAXIM." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/22-20.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">“Whose</span><br /><span class="grk">Τίνος</span> <span class="translit">(Tinos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">likeness</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰκὼν</span> <span class="translit">(eikōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1504.htm">Strong's 1504: </a> </span><span class="str2">An image, likeness, bust. From eiko; a likeness, i.e. statue, profile, or representation, resemblance.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] this,”</span><br /><span class="grk">αὕτη</span> <span class="translit">(hautē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">He asked,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">“and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">whose</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">inscription?”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπιγραφή</span> <span class="translit">(epigraphē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1923.htm">Strong's 1923: </a> </span><span class="str2">An inscription, title, label. From epigrapho; an inscription.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/22-20.htm">Matthew 22:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/22-20.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 22:20 He asked them Whose is this image (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/22-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 22:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 22:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/22-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 22:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 22:21" /></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>