Luke 20:22

Luke 20:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cesar, or no?
• New International Version (NIV)Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Context of Luke 20:22

20So they watched [for a chance to trap] Him. They sent spies who pretended to be upright and sincere, in order that they might catch Him in some statement [that they could distort and use against Him], so that they could turn Him over to the control and authority of [Pilate] the governor. 21They asked Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and that You show no partiality to anyone, but teach the way of God truthfully. Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] for us to pay taxes (tribute money) to Caesar or not?” 23But He saw through their trickery and said to them, 24“Show Me a [Roman] denarius. Whose image and inscription does the coin have?” They answered, “[the Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.”

Luke 20:22 word by word

ἔξεστιν ἡμᾶς Καίσαρι φόρον δοῦναι ἢ οὔ;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Is it lawfulἔξεστι, ἐξόνexesti · be permittedG1832
• for usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• to giveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• tributeφόροςphoros · taxG5411
• unto CesarΚαῖσαρKaisar · CaesarG2541
• orἤē · orG2228
• noοὐou · noG3756

Cross-references for Luke 20:22

• Deuteronomy 17:15you shall most certainly set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses. You shall set a king over you from among your countrymen (brothers); you may not choose a foreigner [to rule] over you who is not your countryman.
• Ezra 4:13Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, then they will not pay tax, custom, or toll, and the revenue of the kings will be diminished.
• Ezra 9:7Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been exceedingly guilty; and on account of our wrongdoings we, our kings, and our priests have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to complete shame, as it is today.
• Nehemiah 5:4There were also others who were saying, “We have borrowed money on our fields and vineyards for the [Persian] king’s [heavy] tax.
• Nehemiah 9:37Its abundant produce is for the kings Whom You have set over us because of our sins; They also rule over our bodies And over our cattle as they please, So we are in great distress.
• Matthew 22:17Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”
• Mark 12:14They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and have no personal bias toward anyone; for You are not influenced by outward appearances or social status, but in truth You teach the way of God. Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay the poll-tax to [Tiberius] Caesar, or not?
• Acts 5:37After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up, [and led an uprising] during the time of the census, and drew people after him; he was also killed, and all his followers were scattered.

Commentaries on Luke 20:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar - See this insidious but important question considered at large on Matthew 22:16-22; (note).Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20-38Verses 20-38 See this explained in the Mark 12:13-27 notes.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-26Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?: If Jesus said yes, he would make the people angry, because they hated the burden of Roman taxation. If he said no, he would be accused of rebellion against the Roman authorities.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-4020-26. sent forth--after consulting (Mt 22:15) on the best plan. spies--"of the Pharisees and Herodians" (Mr 12:13). See Mr 3:6.Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 20:22

• Caesar
• Citizens
• Craftiness
• Jesus, the Christ
• Law

In the dictionaries

• Taxes
• Tiberius Caesar
• Tribute
• Jesus Christ
• Law in the New Testament
• Luke, the Gospel of
• Tax; Taxing
• Money
• tax, tribute, taxation, taxpayer, tax collector

Commentaries on Luke 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings