Luke 20:25 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus answers: render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
What Does Luke 20:25 Mean?
One sentence dismantles the dilemma. The coin bears Caesar's image, so give Caesar back his coin: civic obligations are real, and meeting them is no betrayal of God. But the sentence does not stop where the spies' question stopped, and its second clause carries the eternal weight: render to God the things that are God's.
And what bears God's image? You do (Genesis 1:26-27). Caesar may claim the coin; he may not claim the soul. Taxes go to governments; the heart, the worship, the whole self of every man and woman belongs to the God whose likeness they bear. The spies asked about a penny, and Jesus answered about everything. The audit remains for each reader: Caesar is usually paid in full — has God been rendered what carries his image?
Luke 20:25 in the Original Language
apodidomi (ἀποδίδωμι), 'render' -- to give back; to pay what is rightfully owed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:25
What does Luke 20:25 mean?
Jesus answers: render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.