Paying Taxes to Caesar

The Pharisees and Herodians approach Jesus with praise and a tax question meant to catch him in his words. He sees through the trap, asks for a denarius, names the image and inscription on it, and answers with a distinction between Caesar and God.

L¹³ater, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words. ¹⁴“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?” ¹⁵But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.” ¹⁶So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” ¹⁷Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”