Luke 20:20-26

²⁰ Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹ So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²² Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" ²³ He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴ "Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?""Caesar's," they replied. ²⁵ He said to them, "Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." ²⁶ They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

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Other Translations of Luke 20:20-26

King James Version

²⁰ And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. ²¹ And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: truly: or, of a truth ²² Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? ²³ But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? ²⁴ Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. ²⁵ And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. ²⁶ And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

English Standard Version

²⁰ So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. ²¹ So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality,Greek and do not receive a face but truly teach the way of God. ²² Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" ²³ But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, ²⁴ "Show me a denarius.A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer Whose likeness and inscription does it have?" They said, "Caesar's." ²⁵ He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." ²⁶ And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

The Message

²⁰ Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law. ²¹ So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you're honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don't pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately. ²² Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" ²³ He knew they were laying for him and said, ²⁴ "Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?" ²⁵ "Caesar," they said. Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his." ²⁶ Try as they might, they couldn't trap him into saying anything incriminating. His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless.

New King James Version

²⁰ So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. ²¹ Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: ²² Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" ²³ But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Why do you test Me? ²⁴ Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." ²⁵ And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." ²⁶ But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.

New Living Translation

²⁰ Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. ²¹ "Teacher," they said, "we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. ²² Now tell us-is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" ²³ He saw through their trickery and said, ²⁴ "Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. ²⁵ "Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." ²⁶ So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 20:20-26

Commentary on Luke 20:20-26

(Read Luke 20:20-26)

Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and will teach our duty to God, to our rulers, and to all men, so clearly, that opposers will have no evil to say of us.