Luke 20:25

He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

BSB

So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

KJV

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

ASV

And he said unto them, Then render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.

BBE

And he said, Then give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.

Original Greek

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ὁ ho (the) G3588 δὲ de And G1161 εἶπεν eipen He said G2036 πρὸς pros to G4314 αὐτούς autous them G846 τοίνυν toinun Therefore G5106 ἀπόδοτε apodote do give back G591 τὰ ta the [things] G3588 Καίσαρος Kaisaros of Caesar G2541 Καίσαρι Kaisari to Caesar G2541 καὶ kai and G2532 τὰ ta the [things] G3588 τοῦ tou (of the) G3588 θεοῦ theou of God G2316 τῷ tō (to the) G3588 θεῷ theō to God G2316

The early church

All 6
Now this place contains a mystery. For there are two images in man, one which he received from God, as it is written, Let us make man in our own image: (Gen. 1:26.) another from the enemy, which he has contracted through disobedience and sin, allured and won by the enticing baits of the prince of this world. For as the penny has the image of the emperor of the world, so he who does the works of the power of darkness, bears the image of Him whose works he doth. He says then, Render unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, that is, cast away the earthly image, that ye may be able, by putting on the heavenly image, to render unto God the things which be God's, namely, to love God. Which things Moses says God requires of us. (Deut. 10:12.) But God makes this demand of us, not because He has need that we should give Him any thing, but that, when we have given, He might grant us this very same gift for our salvation.
Origen of Alexandria · d. 253Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
As if He said, With your words ye tempt me, obey me in works. Ye have indeed Cæsar's image, ye have undertaken his offices, to him therefore give tribute, to God fear. For God requireth not money, but faith.
Titus of Bostra · d. 378Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
Our Lord here teaches us, how cautious we ought to be in our answers to heretics or Jews; as He has said elsewhere, Be ye wise as serpents (Mat. 10:16). Be unwilling then, if thou wouldest not offend Cæsar, to possess worldly goods. And thou rightly teachest, first to render the things which be Cæsar's. For no one can be the Lord's unless he has first renounced the world. Oh most galling chain! To promise to God, and pay not. Far greater is the contract of faith than that of money.
Ambrose of Milan · d. 397Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
But from their answer our Lord easily solves the question, for it follows, And he said unto them, Render unto Cæsar the things which be Cœsar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
Bede · d. 735Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
Render also to God the things which be God's, that is to say, tithes, first fruits, offerings, and sacrifices.
Bede · d. 735Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 20–26

Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and will teach our duty to God, to our rulers, and to all men, so clearly, that opposers will have no evil to say of us.

Read Matthew Henry on Luke 20 →

Parallel passages

2

The same words or events elsewhere.

Matthew 22:18–22Mark 12:15–17

Cross-references

10

Topics

Government

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.