Devine Scripture

Luke 20:25

What does Luke 20:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 20:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 20:25 means

Jesus delivered His profound and widely quoted answer: "Then render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s." This statement brilliantly bypassed their trap. By acknowledging the coin's Roman origin, Jesus affirmed the legitimacy of paying taxes to the governing authority, effectively silencing accusations of sedition. However, He immediately elevated the discussion to a higher plane, reminding them of their ultimate allegiance to God. This command calls believers to fulfill their civil duties while never compromising their spiritual obligations to a higher divine authority. Loyalty to Caesar is finite; loyalty to God is absolute.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Then render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which be Cesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Then render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Then give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said to them, `Give back, therefore, the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things, that are Caesar's: and to God the things that are God's.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, Pay therefore what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what isGod's toGod.

Context

This verse contains Jesus' brilliant and conclusive answer to the spies' trap question, directly following their identification of Caesar on the denarius. This famous statement resolves the dilemma the spies attempted to create, satisfying both civil and divine obligations. This masterful reply immediately silences His adversaries and leaves them marveling, leading into the next series of confrontations as new challengers emerge.

v.24Show me a denarius. Whose image and superscription hath it? And they said, Cæsar’s.

v.25This passage

v.26And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

  • Proverbs 24:21

    My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; And company not with them that are given to change:

  • 1 Peter 4:11

    if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Acts 5:29

    But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.

  • Matthew 22:21

    They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

  • Romans 13:6

    For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing.

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