16 And they sent their disciples to him with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and you do not care what anyone thinks,[a] because you do not regard the opinion of people.[b] 17 Therefore tell us what you think. Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But because he[c] knew their maliciousness, Jesus said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:16 Literally “it is not a care to you concerning anyone”
  2. Matthew 22:16 Literally “because you do not look at the face of men”
  3. Matthew 22:18 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“knew”) which is understood as causal

16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.(A) “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a](B) to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:17 A special tax levied on subject peoples, not on Roman citizens