Matthew 22:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They spring the trap: is it lawful to pay the Roman tax to Caesar or not?
What Does Matthew 22:17 Mean?
The "tribute" was the Roman head tax, paid by every subject and a burning symbol of occupation. Say yes, and Jesus loses the crowds who hate the tax; say no, and the Herodians can denounce Him to Rome as a rebel.
The question is engineered so that any answer destroys Him -- or so they think. People still hand God forced choices and demand He pick a side; Jesus consistently refuses the terms of a dishonest question. Wisdom from above is never trapped between half-truths, and the next verses show the Lord cutting a path where His enemies saw only walls.
Matthew 22:17 in the Original Language
kensos (κῆνσος), 'tribute' -- the Roman head tax; the word comes from the Latin census.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 22:17
What does Matthew 22:17 mean?
They spring the trap: is it lawful to pay the Roman tax to Caesar or not?