Luke 20:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The trap is sprung: is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
What Does Luke 20:22 Mean?
The tribute was the head-tax paid directly to Rome — the most resented coin in Judea, the very token of subjugation, which had already sparked revolt within living memory (Acts 5:37). Say 'pay it,' and Jesus loses the people; say 'refuse it,' and he stands guilty of sedition, ready for Pilate's judgment seat.
The question is engineered so that faithfulness looks impossible — every exit watched, truth itself seemingly cornered. Men still build such dilemmas, and disciples still face questions framed so that any answer convicts. The next verses show the Lord stepping serenely through the snare, teaching us that the wisdom of God is never actually trapped, and that a heart fixed on God can find the path between fear and compromise.
Luke 20:22 in the Original Language
phoros (φόρος), 'tribute' -- the direct tax levied on subject peoples by a foreign power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:22
What does Luke 20:22 mean?
The trap is sprung: is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?