Paying Taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:20–26)
Introduction
Jesus is still in the temple, and His enemies are getting desperate. They’ve already tried to discredit Him, and now they set a trap. Taxes were a hot-button issue in first-century Judea, and they think they’ve found the perfect way to turn the people against Him or get Him in trouble with the Roman authorities. But, as always, Jesus sees through their scheme and responds with wisdom that leaves them speechless.
This passage is about more than taxes—it’s about ultimate allegiance. Where do our loyalties lie? What does it mean to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God? Let’s dive in.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Paying Taxes to Caesar and Commentary
Luke 20:20–21 — The Trap Is Set
"So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. So they asked him, 'Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.'" (Luke 20:20–21, NRSV)
The religious leaders are done trying to out-argue Jesus in public. They need a different approach, so they send in spies—people who pretend to be sincere seekers of truth but are really there to bait him into saying something that will get him arrested.
Their question is a setup. If Jesus speaks against the tax, the Romans will see him as a revolutionary. If he supports it, the people—who hate Roman rule—will turn against him. They think they have him cornered.
Their flattery is transparent. They call him a truthful teacher, but their goal isn’t to honor him—it’s to destroy him. But Jesus isn’t fooled.
The religious leaders questioning Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar are being completely two-faced. On the one hand, they benefit from the temple currency exchange, which forces worshippers to swap their Roman money for “acceptable” Jewish currency at a steep markup. Yet here they are, pretending to be concerned about Jewish purity and the law when they ask Jesus about paying taxes to Rome.
Why Was Paying Taxes to Caesar So Controversial for the Jews?
The tax wasn’t just an economic burden—it was a symbol of their subjugation. Every time a Jewish person paid the Roman tax, they were reminded that they were not free. Even worse, the tax had to be paid with Roman coins, which bore an image of Caesar and often included an inscription referring to him as divine. For devout Jews who believed in the one true God, using money that essentially declared Caesar as a god was deeply offensive. It wasn’t just about finances—it was about faith, identity, and resistance against foreign rule.
Luke 20:22–24 — Show Me a Denarius
"Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, 'Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?' They said, 'The emperor's.'" (Luke 20:22–24, NRSV)
The tax in question was a tribute tax paid to Caesar. Many Jews saw it as a symbol of their oppression, a constant reminder that they were subjects of a foreign power.
If you want to see the value of a denarius, click here and go to the bible measurement converter.
Jesus asks them to produce a denarius, the Roman coin used for paying the tax. This coin had an image of Tiberius Caesar along with an inscription that called him the "son of the divine Augustus." In other words, it carried a claim of divinity. To many Jews, possessing or using such a coin was offensive.
Jesus turns the tables. He isn’t caught in their trap. Instead, He makes them reveal that they themselves are using Roman money—the very money that supports the government they claim to oppose.
A silver Roman denarius featuring Emperor Tiberius. On the obverse, a right-facing, laureate portrait of Tiberius is inscribed with TI CAESAR AVGVST F IMPERAT VII (Tiberius Caesar, son of Augustus, Emperor for the seventh time.). The reverse showcases the Altar of Lyon, adorned with a civic crown between two laurel branches, flanked by two nude male figures. On either side, Victory figures stand atop columns, facing each other. The inscription ROM ET AVG appears below (Rome and Augustus). (Source, Ancient Roman Coins)
Luke 20:25–26 — Give to Caesar, Give to God
"He said to them, 'Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.' And they were not able in the presence of the people to trap him by what he said; and being amazed by his answer, they became silent." (Luke 20:25–26, NRSV)
Jesus’ response is brilliant. He neither outright supports nor rejects the tax. Instead, he reframes the conversation entirely.
Yes, the coin belongs to Caesar—it bears his image. But what belongs to God? Everything that bears God’s image. And what bears God’s image? We do (Genesis 1:27). The implication is clear: Give the government its due, but your ultimate loyalty, your entire self, belongs to God.
This response amazes his opponents. They expected a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, they get a profound statement about authority, allegiance, and the kingdom of God.
Luke 20:20–26 Meaning for Today
This passage isn’t just about taxes. It’s about where our ultimate allegiance lies. Governments have a legitimate role, and as citizens, we participate in systems that require things like taxes, laws, and governance. But Jesus reminds us that our deepest commitment is to God.
It’s easy to get caught up in political debates, to put too much hope in human leaders, or to define ourselves primarily by our national identity. But Jesus reminds us that we are first and foremost citizens of God’s kingdom. Our loyalty to him transcends any earthly system.
This also speaks to the danger of merging faith with politics or nationalism. When we allow political ideologies to define our Christianity rather than Christ himself, we risk giving to Caesar what belongs to God. Our faith should shape how we engage with the world, not the other way around.
The Authority of Jesus and Earthly Governments
Throughout the New Testament, we see a balance between respecting authorities and recognizing that Jesus is the ultimate authority. Paul echoes this in Romans 13:1-7, where he teaches that governing authorities have their place under God’s sovereign rule. But we also see in Acts 5:29 that when earthly rulers demand something contrary to God’s will, “we must obey God rather than any human authority.” Note that this idea is used or called upon sparingly in the New Testament.
Jesus’ statement in Luke 20 doesn’t call for blind obedience to government, nor does it advocate for rebellion. It places government in its proper place—subordinate to God’s kingdom.
FAQ on Paying Taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:20–26)
1. What does it mean to "give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s"?
It means that while we have responsibilities as citizens, our ultimate loyalty belongs to God. Taxes and civic duties are one thing, but our hearts, worship, and obedience belong to the Lord.
2. Was Jesus endorsing the Roman government by saying this?
No, Jesus wasn’t endorsing Rome. He was making a deeper point about priorities—earthly authorities have their place, but God’s authority is supreme. His answer sidestepped the trap and pointed people to what truly mattered.
3. Why was paying taxes to Caesar so controversial for the Jews?
The tax was a painful reminder that they were under foreign rule. It also required using Roman currency, which bore Caesar’s image and a claim of divinity—something that many devout Jews found offensive.
4. How should Christians apply this passage today?
We should respect earthly authorities while remembering that our ultimate allegiance is to God. This means engaging in society responsibly but never compromising our faith or putting political loyalties above the gospel.
5. How does this passage connect to Jesus’ overall mission?
Jesus constantly redirected people’s focus from earthly concerns to God’s kingdom. Here, he refuses to get entangled in a political dispute and instead calls people to recognize what truly belongs to God—their whole lives.
Conclusion
Luke 20:20–26 is one of Jesus’ most brilliant exchanges. His enemies come with a trap, but He turns it into a profound teaching on allegiance and authority. While we live in the world, we are not of the world. We participate in society, but our hearts belong fully to God.
So the question isn’t just about taxes—it’s about ownership. What do we give to God? Our time? Our money? Our devotion? We are made in God’s image. And that means we owe God everything.
