God and Caesar

15 Then the * Pharisees went and plotted how to trap Him by what He said. x y 16 They sent their disciples to Him, with the * Herodians. z “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You defer to no one, for You don’t show partiality. a b 17 Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar c or not?”

18 But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? 19 Show Me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought Him a * denarius. 20 “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them.

21 “Caesar’s,” they said to Him.

Then He said to them, “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” d 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.