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Luke 20:45-21:4
THE WIDOW’S OFFERING - Nov 13, 2023 -
Luke 20:27-44
GOD OF THE LIVING - Nov 12, 2023 -
Luke 20:19-26
GIVE BACK TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S - Nov 11, 2023 -
Luke 20:1-18
THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS - Sep 30, 2023 -
Luke 20:45-21:4
JESUS PRAISES A WIDOW'S DEVOTION - Jul 19, 2020 -
Luke 20:27-44
HE IS THE GOD OF THE LIVING - Jul 18, 2020 -
Luke 20:20-26
GIVE TO GOD WHAT IS GOD'S - Jul 17, 2020 -
Luke 20:1-19
THE REJECTED STONE IS THE CORNERSTONE - Jul 16, 2020 -
Luke 20:45-21:4
WHAT IS PLEASING TO THE LORD? - Sep 18, 2017 -
Luke 20:27-44
THE REALITY OF THE RESURRECTION - Sep 17, 2017 -
Luke 20:19-26
GIVE TO GOD WHAT IS GOD'S - Sep 16, 2017 -
Luke 20:1-18
JESUS' AUTHORITY IS FROM GOD - Sep 15, 2017 -
Luke 20:1-8
BY WHAT AUTHORITY? - Jan 01, 2000 -
Luke 20:9-19
THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS - Jan 01, 2000 -
Luke 20:27-40
GOD OF THE LIVING - Jan 01, 2000 -
Luke 20:41-47
CHRIST IS LORD - Jan 01, 2000
CAESAR'S THINGS; GOD'S THINGS
Key verse: 25b
NIV
Paying Taxes to Caesar(A)
20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,(B) so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.(C) 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.(D) 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,(E) 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.
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
20 (A)So they (B)watched him and sent spies, who (C)pretended to be sincere, that they might (D)catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of (E)the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and (F)show no partiality,[a] but truly teach (G)the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give (H)tribute to (I)Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their (J)craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me (K)a denarius.[b] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then (L)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 (M)to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
- Luke 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
Cross references
- Luke 20:20 : For ver. 20-38, see Matt. 22:15-32; Mark 12:13-27
- Luke 20:20 : ch. 14:1; Mark 3:2
- Luke 20:20 : [1 Kgs. 14:6]
- Luke 20:20 : ver. 26; ch. 11:54
- Luke 20:20 : Matt. 27:2, 11; 28:14; See Acts 23:24
- Luke 20:21 : See Acts 10:34
- Luke 20:21 : Acts 18:25, 26; [Acts 13:10]
- Luke 20:22 : Matt. 17:25
- Luke 20:22 : ch. 2:1; 3:1
- Luke 20:23 : 1 Cor. 3:19; 2 Cor. 4:2; 11:3; Eph. 4:14; [2 Cor. 12:16]
- Luke 20:24 : See Matt. 18:28
- Luke 20:25 : Rom. 13:7
- Luke 20:26 : ver. 20
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Double-minded religious leaders (2
-22)
Those who rejected Jesus' spiritual authority were confident about the authority and power of Rome. But they were afraid of the people (19). They sent spies to try to catch Jesus doing or saying something wrong. Their flattery shows that they knew that Jesus taught and lived by the truth. They asked him a hard question. Should God's people pay taxes to an evil oppressor who claimed to be a god? If Jesus said, 'Yes,' he would be supporting evil. On the other hand, to advocate openly not paying taxes would be a crime against Rome. The authorities could arrest him.
2. Give God what is God's (23-26)
Jesus was not political. He came to forgive sin and bring men to God. Human authority and governments are necessary in a sinful world. Governments should be supported and obeyed. But it is more important for men to acknowledge that they are made in God's image and belong to him. When we accept God's sovereignty, both double-mindedness and fear are cast out.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that I belong to you, and do my duty to you and to my country.
One Word: Give to God; give to Caesar