English Standard Version
Matthew 22:20
20And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?"
Matthew 22:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
- New International Version (NIV)and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
- New King James Version (NKJV)And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
- New Living Translation (NLT)he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
Context of Matthew 22:20
18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 22When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
Read all of Matthew 22Matthew 22:20 word by word
καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· τίνος ἡ εἰκὼν αὕτη καὶ ἡ ἐπιγραφή;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Matthew 22:20
Commentaries on Matthew 22:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Whose is this image and superscription? - He knew well enough whose they were; but he showed the excellency of his wisdom, 3dly, in making them answer to their own confusion. They came to ensnare our Lord in his discourse, and now they are ensnared in their own. He who digs a pit for his neighbor ordinarily falls into it himself.Read the comment
- 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. 20The people had to pay the poll tax with the denarius coin. This coin showed the picture and title of Caesar (the Roman emperor). Old Testament rules against worshiping images (Exodus 20:4; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:15–24) made this coin controversial for Jews (see Josephus, War 2.9.2–3). To avoid conflict, some Roman governors in Palestine minted coins without human images. This showed respect for Jewish religious concerns.Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 22:20
In the dictionaries
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
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