Matthew 22:17

Matthew 22:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
• New International Version (NIV)Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Context of Matthew 22:17

15Then the Pharisees went and conspired together plotting how to trap Him by [distorting] what He said. 16They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status]. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, asked, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius [a day’s wage].

Matthew 22:17 word by word

εἰπὲ οὖν ἡμῖν, τί σοι δοκεῖ; ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ;¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Tellλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• Whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• thinkestδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• thouσύsu · youG4771
• Is it lawfulἔξεστι, ἐξόνexesti · be permittedG1832
• to giveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• tributeκῆνσοςkēnsos · taxG2778
• unto CesarΚαῖσαρKaisar · CaesarG2541
• orἤē · orG2228
• notοὐou · noG3756

Cross-references for Matthew 22:17

• Jeremiah 42:2and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our petition be presented before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, that is, for all this remnant [of the people of Judah]; for we were once many, but now [only] a few of us are left, as you see with your own eyes, [so please pray]
• Acts 28:22But we would like to hear from you what your views are [that is, exactly what you believe]; for in regard to this sect (Christianity), we are fully aware that it is denounced everywhere.”
• Deuteronomy 17:14“When you enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and you take possession of it and live there, and you say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations who are around me,’
• 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 7:24We also inform you that it is not authorized to impose tax, tribute, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants or other servants of this house of God.
• 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.
• 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.
• Romans 13:6For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance.
• Luke 2:1Now in those days a decree went out from [the emperor] Caesar Augustus, that all the inhabited world (the Roman Empire) should be registered [in a census].
• John 19:12As a result of this, Pilate kept making efforts to release Him, but the Jews kept screaming, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar! Anyone who makes himself out [to be] a king opposes Caesar [and rebels against the emperor]!”
• Acts 17:7and Jason has welcomed them [into his house and protected them]! And they all are saying things contrary to the decrees of Caesar, [actually] claiming that there is another king, Jesus.”
• Acts 25:8while Paul declared in his own defense, “I have done no wrong and committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Commentaries on Matthew 22:17

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-22Verses 15-22 The Pharisees and Herodians endeavor to entangle Jesus - This narrative is also found in Mark 12:12-17; Luke 20:20-26. Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharisees - See the notes at Matthew 3:7. How they might entangle him - To entangle means to “ensnare,” as birds are taken by a net. This is done secretly, by leading them within the compass of the net and then suddenly springing it over them. So to entangle is artfully to lay a plan for enticing…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-22Verses 15-22 The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for full subjection to the Roman emperor. Though opposed to each other, they joined against Christ. What they said of Christ was right; whether they knew it or not, blessed be God we know it. Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher, and a bold reprover. Christ saw their wickedness. Whatever mask the hypocrite puts on, our Lord Jesus sees through it. Christ did…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Is it lawful … or not?: They asked the question to try and trap Jesus. If he said no, they could arrest him for rebelling against Rome. If he said yes, they could accuse him of supporting Roman oppression.Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 22:17

• Citizens
• Craftiness
• Government
• Jesus, the Christ
• Pharisees
• Tribute (Taxes)

In the dictionaries

• Abundance
• Caesar
• Commandment
• Custom
• Darkness
• Dinner
• Entangle
• Friend
• Guest
• Image

Commentaries on Matthew 22

• 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