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Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 Then[a] they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere.[b] They wanted to take advantage of what he might say[c] so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction[d] of the governor. 21 Thus[e] they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly,[f] and show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.[g] 22 Is it right[h] for us to pay the tribute tax[i] to Caesar[j] or not?”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 20:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  2. Luke 20:20 tn Grk “righteous,” but in this context the point is their false sincerity.
  3. Luke 20:20 tn Grk “so that they might catch him in some word.”
  4. Luke 20:20 tn This word is often translated “authority” in other contexts, but here, in combination with ἀρχή (archē), it refers to the domain or sphere of the governor’s rule (L&N 37.36).
  5. Luke 20:21 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “thus” to indicate the implied result of the plans by the spies.
  6. Luke 20:21 tn Or “precisely”; Grk “rightly.” Jesus teaches exactly, the straight and narrow.
  7. Luke 20:21 sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question was specifically designed to trap Jesus.
  8. Luke 20:22 tn Or “lawful,” that is, in accordance with God’s divine law. On the syntax of ἔξεστιν (exestin) with an infinitive and accusative, see BDF §409.3.
  9. Luke 20:22 tn This was a “poll tax.” L&N 57.182 states this was “a payment made by the people of one nation to another, with the implication that this is a symbol of submission and dependence—‘tribute tax.’”
  10. Luke 20:22 tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).

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?”

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