Matthew 22:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius.

NIV: Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius,

NASB: Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.' And they brought Him a denarius.

CSB: Show me the coin used for the tax." They brought him a denarius.

NLT: Here, show me the coin used for the tax.' When they handed him a Roman coin,

KJV: Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

NKJV: Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.

A group of Pharisees, along with some Herodians, have set a trap for Jesus. Through flattery and deception, they pretend to seek arbitration for a dispute (Matthew 22:15–16). Their loaded question is whether it is "lawful" for a faithful follower of God to pay taxes to the pagan, oppressive Roman government. This tax—like those who helped Romans collect it (Matthew 9:11)—was deeply despised by the Jewish people. Some Israelites suggested they should defy the Roman government, believing they should trust God to send the Messiah to free them from Rome and return them to the glory days of Israel. The Pharisees hope these people will be offended if Jesus declares that Old Testament law requires them to pay this tax.

On the other hand, the Herodians wanted to keep the trust of Rome by keeping order in Israel. They wanted everyone to behave and to keep paying their taxes. If Jesus said not to pay the tax, the Herodians might have Him arrested and turned over to Rome as a rebel. Either outcome would suit the desires of Jesus' enemies.

Jesus seems especially disgusted with this feeble attempt to trip Him up (Matthew 22:18). In somewhat dramatic fashion, He asks to see a coin that could be used to pay the tax, planning to use it as a visual aid (Matthew 22:20–21). More than one currency was in use in Israel at this time. The Jewish people did not like to use money with foreign gods on it and some had rebelled over the issue in AD 6. They lost that battle, so the Roman tax could now be paid only with the silver Roman denarius.

Matthew 22:15–22 is a famous event, containing Jesus' response to the issue of taxes. This moment is also depicted in Mark 12:13–17 and Luke 20:20–26. In that context, Jewish people resented being forced to pay those fees to Rome. This makes the challenge a trap: the Pharisees want Jesus to make an unpopular statement or open Himself to arrest for rebellion against the Roman Empire. Instead, Jesus points out that the Roman denarius has Caesar's image on it. He then tells the people to give Caesar what is his and give God what is God's. This subtly implies that we should give ourselves to God, since we bear His image (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 22:37).

Continuing a dialogue with hostile religious leaders, Jesus tells a parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast which ends up being attended by those not initially invited. He answers trick questions about taxes, marriage, resurrection, and the Law of Moses. These responses are the source of common English idioms such as "render to Caesar…" and "many are called but few are chosen." Finally, Jesus asks how the Messiah can be both the son of David and the Lord of David. None can answer Him, so they stop challenging Him in public.

This chapter extends an exchange between Jesus and several groups of religious leaders in the temple. The previous chapter concluded with two parables about the failures of the religious leaders. This chapter begins with a third parable, about chosen guests who refuse to attend a wedding feast. Jesus then fields questions from several religious groups, who fail in their attempts to trip Him up. His wise and profound answers silence all of them. At this point, Jesus launches into a full-throated condemnation of the Pharisees in chapter 23.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.