Matthew 22 · Verse 17

Matthew 22:17

Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
Matthew 22:17, King James Version

Matthew 22:17 in other translations

BSBSo tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
WEBTell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
ASVTell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?
YLTtell us, therefore, what dost thou think? is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?'
DARBYtell us therefore what thou thinkest: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
BBEGive us, then, your opinion of this: Is it right to give tax to Caesar, or not?
WebsterTell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, or not?

What does Matthew 22:17 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar? Tribute was the tax paid to the Roman government.

Caesar. The Roman emperor. The name Caesar, after the time of Julius Caesar, became common to all the emperors, as Pharaoh was the common name of all the kings of Egypt. The Caesar that reigned at this time was Tiberius--a man distinguished for the grossest vices, and most disgusting and debasing sensuality.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for full subjection to the Roman emperor. Though opposed to each other, they joined against Christ. What they said of Christ was right; whether they knew it or not, blessed be God we know it. Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher, and a bold reprover. Christ saw their wickedness. Whatever mask the hypocrite puts on, our Lord Jesus…

Read the full comment on Matthew 22:15-22 →

Matthew 22:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰπὲeipedo tellG2036
οὖνounthereforeG3767
ἡμῖν,hēminusG3165
τίtiwhatG5101
σοιsoiYouG4771
δοκεῖ;dokeithink?G1380
ἔξεστινexestinIs it lawfulG1832
δοῦναιdounaito giveG1325
κῆνσονkēnsontributeG2778
ΚαίσαριKaisarito CaesarG2541
ἢēorG2228
οὔ;¶ounot?G3756

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 22:17

  • Luke 2:1

    And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

  • Romans 13:6-7

    For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

  • Matthew 17:25

    He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

  • Acts 28:22

    But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

  • Acts 5:37

    After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

  • John 19:12-15

    And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cesar.

  • Ezra 7:24

    Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

  • Deuteronomy 17:14-15

    When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

  • Nehemiah 9:37

    And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.

  • Acts 17:7

    Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

  • Jeremiah 42:20

    For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us unto the Lord our God; and according unto all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.

  • Acts 25:8

    While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
What.
Jer 42:2,3,20; Ac 28:22
is.
De 17:14,15; Ezr 4:13; 7:24; Ne 5:4; 9:37; Ac 5:37; Ro 13:6,7
Caesar.
Lu 2:1; Joh 19:12-15; Ac 17:7; 25:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 22:16

    And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

  • Matthew 22:17

    Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?

  • Matthew 22:18

    But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Read all of Matthew 22

Matthew 22:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Dinos pues, ¿qué te parece? ¿es lícito dar tributo á César, ó no?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Dis-nous donc, que t’en semble: est-il permis de payer le tribut à César, ou non?
German
Elberfelder 1871
sage uns nun, was denkst du: Ist es erlaubt, dem Kaiser Steuer zu geben, oder nicht?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
dic ergo nobis quid tibi videtur, licet censum dare Cæsari, an non?