ON TRIBUTE TO CAESAR

Then the Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap him in what he said. So they awaited their opportunity and sent agents to pose as upright men, and to catch him out in something he might say and so enable them to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. They sent their disciples to him, together with some Herodians, to put this question to him, “Master, we know that you say and teach what is right, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in all honesty, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because human rank means nothing to you. Give us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or not?” However, Jesus was aware of their malice and recognizing their hypocrisy, replied, “You hypocrites! Why are you putting me to the test? Show me the money you pay the tax with.” They handed him a denarius, and he said, “Whose portrait is this? Whose title?” They replied, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Very well, pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar - and God what belongs to God.” When they heard this, they were amazed at him. They were unable to catch him out in anything he had to say in public. They left him alone and went away.

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