The Proud Religious Law-Keepers Try to Trap Jesus ^(A)

¹⁵ Then the proud religious law-keepers got together to think how they could trap Jesus in His talk. ¹⁶ They sent their followers to Jesus with some of King Herod’s men. They asked, “Teacher, we know that You are true. We know that You are teaching the truth about God. We know You are not afraid of what men think or say about You. ¹⁷ Tell us what You think of this. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” ¹⁸ Jesus knew their sinful thoughts and said, “You pretend to be someone you are not! Why do you try to trap Me? ¹⁹ Show Me a piece of money.” They brought Him a piece. ²⁰ Jesus said to them, “Whose picture is this? Whose name is on it?” ²¹ They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar. Pay to God the things that belong to God.” ²² When they heard this, they were surprised and wondered about it. Then they went away from Him.

They Try to Trap Jesus ^(A)

¹⁹ At this time the religious leaders and the teachers of the Law tried to take Jesus, but they were afraid of the people. These leaders knew Jesus had told this picture-story against them. ²⁰ They watched Jesus and they sent men who pretended to be good people to watch Him. They wanted to trap Him in something He said. Then they could give Him over to the leader of the people who had the right and the power to say what to do with Him.

²¹ These men who were sent asked Jesus, “Teacher, we know what You say and teach is right. We know You do not show more respect to one person than to another. We know You teach the truth about God. ²² Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ²³ Jesus knew they were trying to trap Him. He said, ²⁴ “Show Me a piece of money. Whose picture is this? Whose name is on it?” And they said, “Caesar’s.” ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar. Pay to God the things that belong to God.” ²⁶ They could find nothing wrong with what He taught. They were surprised and wondered about what He told the people, so they said nothing more.