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Luke 20:21–26

21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and oshow no partiality,4 but truly teach pthe way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give qtribute to rCaesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their scraftiness, and said to them, 24 Show me ta denarius.5 Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, Then urender 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 vto catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

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Luke 20:21–26 — The New International Version (NIV)

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.

Luke 20:21–26 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

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: 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.

Luke 20:21–26 — New Living Translation (NLT)

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.

Luke 20:21–26 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

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.

Luke 20:21–26 — New Century Version (NCV)

21 So the spies asked Jesus, “Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is true. You pay no attention to who people are, and you always teach the truth about God’s way. 22 Tell us, is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 But Jesus, knowing they were trying to trick him, said, 24 “Show me a coin. Whose image and name are on it?”

They said, “Caesar’s.”

25 Jesus said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.”

26 So they were not able to trap Jesus in anything he said in the presence of the people. And being amazed at his answer, they became silent.

Luke 20:21–26 — American Standard Version (ASV)

21 And they asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest not the person of any, but of a truth teachest the way of God: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, 24 Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Then render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. 26 And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Luke 20:21–26 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

21 And they asked him saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest no man’s person, but teachest with truth the way of God: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 23 But perceiving their deceit he said to them, Why do ye tempt me? 24 Shew me a denarius. Whose image and superscription has it? And answering they said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said to them, Pay therefore what is Caesar’s to Caesar, and what is God’s to God. 26 And they were not able to take hold of him in his expressions before the people, and, wondering at his answer, they were silent.

Luke 20:21–26 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

21 They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you’re right in what you say and teach. Besides, you don’t play favorites. Rather, you teach the way of God truthfully. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to the emperor or not?” 

23 He saw through their scheme, so he said to them, 24 “Show me a coin. Whose face and name is this?” 

They answered, “The emperor’s.” 

25 He said to them, “Well, then give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give God what belongs to God.” 

26 They couldn’t make him say anything wrong in front of the people. His answer surprised them, so they said no more. 

Luke 20:21–26 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

21 They questioned Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You don’t show partiality, but teach truthfully the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 But detecting their craftiness, He said to them, 24 Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”

“Caesar’s,” they said.

25 Well then,” He told them, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

26 They were not able to catch Him in what He said in public, and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.

Luke 20:21–26 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, 24 Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “The emperor’s.” 25 He said to them, Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent.

Luke 20:21–26 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

21 And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and do not show partiality, but teach the way of God in truth. 22 Is it permitted for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 But seeing through their craftiness, he said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius! Whose image and inscription does it have?” And they answered and said, “Caesar’s.” 25 So he said to them, “Well then, give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!” 26 And they were not able to catch him in a statement in the sight of the people, and astonished at his answer, they became silent.

Luke 20:21–26 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

21 So the spies questioned Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right. We know you don’t favor one person over another. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

23 Jesus saw they were trying to trick him. So he said to them, 24 “Show me a silver coin. Whose picture and words are on it?”

25 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And give to God what belongs to God.”

26 They were not able to trap him with what he had said there in front of all the people. Amazed by his answer, they became silent.

Luke 20:21–26 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

21 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth.

22 “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

23 But He detected their trickery and said to them,

24 Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”

25 And 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 unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.


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