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Luke 20:22

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 20:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
Luke 20:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he spake this parable against them.
20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor.
21And they asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, and acceptest not the person [of any], but of a truth teachest the way of God:
22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them,
24Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said, Caesar`s.
25And he said unto them, Then render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar`s, and unto God the things that are God`s.
← Luke 20:21Luke 20:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?] The Syriac and Persic versions here, as in the other evangelists, render it, “head money”. The phrase, “for us”, is here added, and on it lies the emphasis, and stress of the question; for the doubt pretended, was not whether it was lawful for the Romans to pay tribute to Caesar, but whether it was lawful for them who were Jews, were Abraham's seed, and, as they boasted, were never in bondage, but were the Lord's free people, to pay tribute to an Heathen emperor, or no.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“tribute--(See on Mat 17:24).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this explained in the Matthew 22:15-33 notes, and Mark 12:13-27 notes. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:22 is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not? If Jesus said yes, he would make the people angry, because they hated the burden of Roman taxation. If he said no, he would be accused of rebellion against the Roman authorities.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 17:15; Ezr 4:13, Ezr 4:19-22, Ezr 9:7; Neh 5:4, Neh 9:37; Mat 22:17-21; Mar 12:14-17; Act 5:37 Luke 20:23”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 20 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification