Matthew 22:21 "Caesar's," they answered. So Jesus told them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

◄ Matthew 22:21 ►

New International Version
“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

New Living Translation
“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

English Standard Version
They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Berean Literal Bible
They say to Him, "Caesar's." Then He says to them, "Therefore give back to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God."

King James Bible
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

New King James Version
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

New American Standard Bible
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

NASB 1995
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

NASB 1977
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

Legacy Standard Bible
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

Amplified Bible
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Caesar’s,” they said to him. Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Caesar’s,” they said to Him. Then He said to them, “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

American Standard Version
They 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.

Contemporary English Version
"The Emperor's," they answered. Then Jesus told them, "Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God."

English Revised Version
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They replied, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Very well, give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give God what belongs to God."

Good News Translation
"The Emperor's," they answered. So Jesus said to them, "Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God."

International Standard Version
They told him, "Caesar's." So he told them, "Then give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Majority Standard Bible
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

NET Bible
They replied, "Caesar's." He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

New Heart English Bible
They 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."

Webster's Bible Translation
They say to him, Cesar's. Then saith he to them, Render therefore to Cesar, the things which are Cesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.

Weymouth New Testament
"Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God."

World English Bible
They 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.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
They say to Him, “Caesar’s”; then He says to them, “Render therefore the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God”;

Berean Literal Bible
They say to Him, "Caesar's." Then He says to them, "Therefore give back to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God."

Young's Literal Translation
they 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;'

Smith's Literal Translation
They say to him, Caesar's. Then says he to them, Give back then to Caesar the things of Caesar; and the things of God to God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Then render to Caesar what is of Caesar; and to God what is of God.”

New American Bible
They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

New Revised Standard Version
They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
They said, Caesar’s. He said to them, Give therefore to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they were saying, “Caesar's”; he said to them, “Give therefore what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
They 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.

Godbey New Testament
They say to Him, Caesar's. Then He says to them, Therefore render Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things which are God's.

Haweis New Testament
They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he to them, Render therefore to Cæsar, the things which are Cæsar’s; and to God, the things which are God’s.

Mace New Testament
they answer'd, Cesar's, then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's.

Weymouth New Testament
"Caesar's," they replied. "Pay therefore," He rejoined, "what is Caesar's to Caesar; and what is God's to God."

Worrell New Testament
They 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."

Worsley New Testament
They answered, Cesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore to Cesar the things that are Cesar's; and to God the things that are God's.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Paying Taxes to Caesar
…20“Whose image is this,” He asked, “and whose inscription?” 21“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22And when they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

Mark 12:17
Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

Luke 20:25
So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious.

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. / If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

1 Samuel 8:7
And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.

1 Samuel 10:19
But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”

John 19:11
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

Acts 4:19
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.

Exodus 22:28
You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

Ecclesiastes 8:2
Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God.

Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Treasury of Scripture

They say to him, Caesar's. Then said he to them, Render therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.

Render.

Matthew 17:25-27
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? …

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

are Caesar's.

and.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter…

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Matthew 22

1. The parable of the marriage of the king's son.
9. The vocation of the Gentiles.
12. The punishment of him who lacked a wedding garment.
15. Tribute ought to be paid to Caesar.
23. Jesus confutes the Sadducees for the resurrection;
34. answers which is the first and great commandment;
41. and puzzles the Pharisees by a question about the Messiah.

Berean Study Bible

So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s
So give back
The phrase "give back" is translated from the Greek word "ἀπόδοτε" (apodote), which means to return or to render. This implies a sense of obligation or duty to return something to its rightful owner. In the context of the passage, Jesus is addressing the issue of paying taxes to the Roman government. The use of "give back" suggests that what is being returned rightfully belongs to the one it is being given to, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling civic duties while also recognizing the higher duty to God.

to Caesar
"Caesar" refers to the Roman emperor, who was the ruling authority at the time. The mention of Caesar highlights the political context of the Roman Empire's control over Judea. This reference is significant because it acknowledges the temporal authority of earthly governments. Jesus' mention of Caesar serves as a reminder that while Christians live under earthly authorities, they must also recognize the sovereignty of God over all creation.

what is Caesar’s
This phrase underscores the distinction between the secular and the sacred. The things that belong to Caesar are those that pertain to the earthly realm, such as taxes and civic responsibilities. Jesus is teaching that there is a legitimate place for government and that believers have a responsibility to respect and fulfill their obligations to it. This does not diminish the authority of God but rather places earthly authority in its proper context.

and to God
The phrase "and to God" shifts the focus from earthly obligations to spiritual ones. It emphasizes the ultimate authority and sovereignty of God over all aspects of life. This part of the verse calls believers to recognize that their primary allegiance is to God, who is the creator and sustainer of all things. It serves as a reminder that while Christians have duties to earthly authorities, their ultimate loyalty and devotion belong to God.

what is God’s
This concluding phrase highlights the things that belong to God, which include worship, obedience, and the entirety of one's life. It calls believers to dedicate themselves wholly to God, acknowledging that everything they have and are is a gift from Him. This part of the verse challenges Christians to evaluate their priorities and ensure that their lives reflect their commitment to God above all else. It serves as a powerful reminder of the call to live a life that honors God in every aspect, recognizing His ultimate authority and ownership over all creation.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) Render therefore unto Caesar.--As far as the immediate question was concerned, this was of course an answer in the affirmative. It recognised the principle that the acceptance of the emperor's coinage was an admission of his de facto sovereignty. But the words that followed raised the discussion into a higher region, and asserted implicitly that that admission did not interfere with the true spiritual freedom of the people, or with their religious duties. They might still "render to God the things that were His"--i.e. (1), the tithes, tribute, offerings which belonged to the polity and worship that were the appointed witnesses of His sovereignty, and (2) the faith, love, and obedience which were due to Him from every Israelite. The principle which the words involved was obviously wider in its range than the particular occasion to which it was thus applied. In all questions of real or seeming collision between secular authority and spiritual freedom, the former claims obedience as a de facto ordinance of God up to the limit where it encroaches on the rights of conscience, and prevents men from worshipping and serving Him. Loyal obedience in things in different on the part of the subject, a generous tolerance (such as the Roman empire at this time exercised towards the religion of Israel) on the part of the State, were the two correlative elements upon which social order and freedom depended. Questions might arise, as they have arisen in all ages of the Church, as to whether the limit has, or has not, been transgressed in tins or that instance, and for these the principle does not, and in the nature of things could not, provide a direct answer. What it does prescribe is that all such questions should be approached in the temper which seeks to reconcile the two obligations, not in that which exaggerates and perpetuates their antagonism. Least of all does it sanction the identification of the claims of this or that form of ecclesiastical polity with the "things that are God's."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 21. - Caesar's. They are constrained to answer that the coin bears the effigy of the Roman emperor. Render (ἀπόδοτε, give back, as a due) therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's (τὰ Καίσαρος). Rabbinism ruled that the right of coinage appertained to the ruler of a state, and was a proof of de facto government, which it was unlawful to resist. The current coin, which they used in their daily transactions, showed that the Jews were no longer independent, but set under and acquiescing in a foreign domination. Being subjects of Caesar, it was their duty to submit to his demands, and to pay the taxes which he had a right to levy. This was an answer to the insidious question propounded. Christ does not take either side in the controversy; he makes no question of the mutual rights of conquered and conquerors; he utters no aspiration for the recovery of independence; he uses facts as they are, and points to habitual practice as a sufficient solution of the difficulty. No reply could be wiser or simpler. Herein he gives a lesson for all time. No plea of religion can hold good against obedience to lawful authority. "Render to all their dues," says St. Paul (Romans 13:7): "tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." The things that are God's; τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ. The things of God arc ourselves - our life, powers, faculties, means; to use these in God's service is our duty and our privilege. There need be no conflict between religion and politics, Church and state. Let a citizen do his duty to God, and he will find his obligations to the civil power are coincident and harmonious. Let the state respect the rights of God and of conscience, and there will he no collision between itself and the Church, but both will peaceably cooperate for the good of the community. Had the Jews rendered to God his dues, they would never have been reduced to their present state of subjection and debasement; would never have had to pay tribute to a foreign nation.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

“Caesar’s,”
Καίσαρος (Kaisaros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.

they answered.
Λέγουσιν (Legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

[Jesus] told
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

them,
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Give
Ἀπόδοτε (Apodote)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

to Caesar
Καίσαρι (Kaisari)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.

what [is]
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Caesar’s,
Καίσαρος (Kaisaros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to God
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

what [is]
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

God’s.”
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 22:21 They said to him Caesar's (Matt. Mat Mt)