Matthew 22:15-22 Meaning: The Trap of the Tax Question
15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
16They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach; for you aren’t partial to anyone.
17Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
19Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius.
20He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
21They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
22When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away.
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21They say unto him, Cesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk.
16And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why make ye trial of me, ye hypocrites?
19Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
22And when they heard it, they marvelled, and left him, and went away.
15Then the Pharisees having gone, took counsel how they might ensnare him in words,
16and they send to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, `Teacher, we have known that thou art true, and the way of God in truth thou dost teach, and thou art not caring for any one, for thou dost not look to the face of men;
17tell us, therefore, what dost thou think? is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?'
18And Jesus having known their wickedness, said, `Why me do ye tempt, hypocrites?
19show me the tribute-coin?' and they brought to him a denary;
20and he saith to them, `Whose is this image and the inscription?'
21they say to him, `Caesar's;' then saith he to them, `Render therefore the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;'
22and having heard they wondered, and having left him they went away.
15Then went the Pharisees and held a council how they might ensnare him in speaking.
16And they send out to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one, for thou regardest not men's person;
17tell us therefore what thou thinkest: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
18But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, Why tempt ye me, hypocrites?
19Shew me the money of the tribute. And they presented to him a denarius.
20And he says to them, Whose [is] this image and superscription?
21They say to him, Caesar's. Then he says to them, Pay then what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God.
22And when they heard [him], they wondered, and left him, and went away.
Meaning in one sentence
The Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. His answer redefines our obligations to government and to God.
Context
This passage comes in the final days before Jesus' arrest. The religious leaders have already heard two parables that plainly spoke against them, the wicked tenants and the wedding feast. Now they gather not to learn, but to destroy. The Pharisees, strict keepers of Jewish law, join forces with the Herodians, a political group loyal to Rome. It was a strange alliance. Their question about paying taxes was meant to corner Jesus: if He said yes, the people would see Him as a traitor to Israel. If He said no, the Romans would arrest Him for rebellion. They thought they had Him either way.
Key Words
The Greek word for 'entangle' or 'trap' is pagideuō. It literally means to catch a bird in a snare. The Pharisees were not asking an honest question; they were setting a trap. They expected Jesus to step into it and be caught.
Then there is the word for 'image', eikōn. On the coin it was Caesar's face. But the word carries a deeper echo. In Genesis, God made humanity in His own image. So when Jesus points to the coin and asks whose image it bears, He is also asking you: whose image do you bear? Every part of your life, your time, your money, your very self, carries God's stamp.
Finally, Jesus says to 'render', apodidōmi. This is a word for paying back what is owed, settling a debt. Give Caesar what belongs to him. But give God what belongs to God. You owe the government your taxes; you owe God everything.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this passage as establishing that earthly governments have a legitimate place in God's order. Roman Catholic and Orthodox teaching emphasizes that all authority comes from God, so paying taxes is part of obeying God's will. Many Protestant reformers, like Calvin, saw the coin as evidence of Roman sovereignty, the very fact that Jews used Roman money meant they had already accepted Caesar's rule. Anabaptist traditions have sometimes stressed the limits of government authority: our ultimate obedience belongs to God alone, and if Caesar demands what God forbids, we must obey God. Across these views, Christians agree that Jesus' answer does not pit God against Caesar as equal powers; instead, it reminds us that God is over all, and our duties to the state are real but never final.
A common misunderstanding
A common mistake is to think Jesus is saying religion and politics have nothing to do with each other, that we keep our faith private and our public life separate. In fact, Jesus is not separating two equal domains. He is saying that even our duties to Caesar (taxes, obedience to law) are part of what we owe to God. The coin may belong to Caesar, but your whole life belongs to God. Faith touches everything.
Living This Out
This week you will likely hand over money to some authority, a tax bill, a parking fine, a school fee. It can feel like a loss. But Jesus invites you to see it differently: that payment is part of what you give back to the community God has placed you in. You do not have to love Caesar; you do have to honor God by living honestly within the systems you are part of.
And there is a harder question too. Look at your own life, your time, your energy, your worries. Whose image do they bear? If you were to 'render' yourself back to God today, what would that look like? Maybe an hour of silence, a conversation you have been avoiding, a habit you need to let go of. That is the deeper giving this passage asks for.
Main takeaway: Our earthly obligations, including taxes, are real, but our ultimate allegiance belongs to the God whose image we bear.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people tried to trick Jesus by asking if it was okay to pay taxes. Jesus asked whose picture was on the coin. It was Caesar's. So He said give the coin to Caesar, but give your whole life to God.
For ages 9, 12
The Pharisees and Herodians usually did not get along, but they worked together to trap Jesus. They asked if Jews should pay taxes to the Roman emperor. If Jesus said yes, the people would be angry. If He said no, the Romans would arrest Him. Jesus asked for a coin. It had Caesar's picture on it. He said give Caesar his money, but give God what belongs to God. You bear God's image, your whole life belongs to Him. Pay your taxes, but live for God.
Questions People Ask
Who were the Herodians?
The Herodians were a Jewish political group who supported Herod Antipas and the Roman occupation. They were usually opposed to the Pharisees, who wanted to resist Roman rule. Their alliance here shows how determined the religious leaders were to trap Jesus.
What is a denarius?
A denarius was a Roman silver coin, worth about a day's wage for a laborer. It usually had the emperor's image and an inscription, like 'Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus.' That is why Jesus could hold it up and ask whose picture was on it.
Does this verse mean Christians should always pay taxes, even to unjust governments?
Jesus did not say you must obey a government that commands you to sin. But He does say that paying taxes is a normal part of living in any society. Christians have disagreed about when civil disobedience is right, but this passage calls us to honor God while fulfilling our earthly duties as far as we can.
What does 'give to God the things that are God's' mean?
The coin bore Caesar's image, so it belonged to him. You bear God's image, so your whole life belongs to God. This includes your worship, your obedience, your time, and your money. Jesus is saying that our ultimate loyalty is to God, and that every area of life should be offered back to Him.
Why did the Pharisees' plan fail?
They expected Jesus to answer either 'yes' or 'no,' and both answers would have caused trouble. Instead, Jesus asked for a coin and turned the question back on them. By acknowledging that the coin bore Caesar's image, they admitted they already lived under his rule. His answer was so wise that they were amazed and left Him alone.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study