κῆνσος (kēnsos)
kēnsos
tax
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kēnsos refers to a specific type of levy: a poll tax or capitation tax imposed by the Roman government on individuals. Derived from the Latin census, it originally denoted the registration and valuation of property that determined how much a person owed in taxes. In the New Testament context, however, it specifically identifies the annual head tax levied on subjects, distinct from other forms of tribute.
This word appears in four verses, primarily within the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. It surfaces during critical confrontations between Jesus and religious leaders who attempt to trap him regarding his political stance. In Matthew 17:25, Peter mentions paying the kēnsos when asked by tax collectors, while in Matthew 22:19 and Mark 12:14, Jesus asks for the coin used to pay this exact tax to illustrate the separation between civic duty and spiritual allegiance.
The term carries significant political weight because it represented Roman authority over Jewish subjects. By referencing the kēnsos, the Gospel writers highlight the tension between earthly obligations and divine loyalty. The coin associated with this tax became a focal point for Jesus’ teaching on giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s, grounding the abstract concept of taxation in a tangible, everyday object.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kēnsos points to a specific Roman poll tax that many Jews found deeply offensive. It was more than just money; it was a daily reminder of foreign rule and spiritual compromise. When the religious leaders brought this coin to Jesus, they hoped to trap Him into either supporting Rome or rejecting God’s law. Instead, He used the image on the coin to teach a profound truth about allegiance.
For your faith today, this word invites you to consider where your ultimate loyalty lies. We all live under various earthly systems—governments, employers, social structures—that demand our time and resources. Jesus did not ask His followers to ignore these civic duties, but He placed them in a proper order. Giving what is due to the state does not mean giving your heart to it.
When you face pressures to conform to worldly values, remember that your primary citizenship is in heaven. You can respect earthly authorities while keeping your deepest trust in God alone. This balance allows you to live peacefully in the world without being owned by it, holding your resources lightly and your faith firmly.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tribute2×
- tribute?1×
- tribute.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κῆνσον2×
- κῆνσον;1×
- κήνσου.1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 22:19
Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius.
Jesus asks for the specific coin used to pay this tax, grounding His teaching in a tangible object that bore Caesar’s image.
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Matthew 22:17
Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
The question about paying kēnsos reveals how religious leaders tried to force Jesus into a political corner regarding Roman authority.
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Mark 12:14
When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
This verse highlights the tension between civic duty and spiritual integrity, as the questioners acknowledge Jesus’ honesty while seeking to trap Him.