Matthew 22:19
What does Matthew 22:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 22:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 22:19 means
To answer their question about tribute, Jesus asks them to show Him the 'tribute money' and they bring Him a denarius. This simple request shifts the burden back to them and exposes that they, the supposedly devout Jews, possessed and used Roman coinage, which bore the emperor's image and inscription. This act implicitly acknowledges Roman authority, as such coinage was necessary for their daily commerce, subtly highlighting the hypocrisy of their question even before Jesus speaks further.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let me see the tax money. And they gave him a penny.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862show me the tribute-coin?' and they brought to him a denary;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Shew me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Shew me the money of the tribute. And they presented to him a denarius.
Context
This verse details Jesus' practical response to the trap question, requesting the very coin in question. This action immediately involves His questioners in the demonstration, drawing out the physical evidence of Roman authority they already engaged with. This sets the stage for His brilliant logical and theological answer by focusing attention on the coin itself.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 18:28
But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest.
- Revelation 6:6
And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A measure of wheat for a shilling, and three measures of barley for a shilling; and the oil and the wine hurt thou not.
- Matthew 20:2
And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
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