Bible Strands
Luke 20:22
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Religious leaders address Jesus in the temple, posing a direct question about civic duty while concealing a hostile motive.
The words — The text uses ἔξεστιν (exestin) to ask if an action is legally permitted and φόρον (phoron) to specify the exact Roman census tax being demanded.
The thread — This debate over civic tribute echoes Nehemiah 9:37, where Israel laments paying harvest taxes to foreign kings, and Ezra 4:13, which warns that rebuilt cities will refuse such duties.
Why it lands — The text presents a binary choice between civil obligation and divine allegiance, requiring the reader to examine where ultimate authority resides in their own conduct.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no?
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 9:37 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.
- Deuteronomy 17:15 you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers.
- Ezra 4:13 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.
- Ezra 4:19 I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition.
- Ezra 9:7 From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and subjected to the sword and to captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day.
- Nehemiah 5:4 Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
- Matthew 22:17 So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
- Mark 12:14 “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?”
- Acts 5:37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.
- Matthew 17:25 “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?”