Matthew 22:17

 Matthew 22:17  

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

a. NASB 1995: “Tell us then, what do You think? Is it [fn]lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”  [NASB95 New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation; All Rights Reserved]

b. NKJV:  “Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”    [Scripture quotations marked "NKJV" are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.]

c. Classic Amplified: Tell us then what You think about this: Is it lawful to pay tribute [levied on individuals and to be paid yearly] to Caesar or not? [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Peshitta Eastern Text: Tell us, therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay head-tax to Caesar, or not? [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT. Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

e. ESV: Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” [Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."]

f. Unless otherwise stated, all greek and Hebrew definitions are from Blue Letter Bible

1. “Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?”

a. Tell [Strong: 2036 épō, ep'-o; a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from G2046, G4483, and G5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):—answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell.]

b. us [Strong: 2254 épō, ep'-o; a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from G2046, G4483, and G5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):—answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell.]

c. therefore [Strong: 3767 oûn, oon; apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:—and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

d. What [Strong: 5101 tís, tis; probably emphatic of G5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):—every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.]

e. thinkest [Strong: 1380 dokéō, dok-eh'-o; a prolonged form of a primary verb, δόκω dókō dok'-o (used only in an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of G1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly):—be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow.]

f. thou [Strong: 4671 soí, soy; dative case of G4771; to thee:—thee, thine own, thou, thy.]

g. [Is it] lawful [Strong: 1832 éxesti, ex'-es-tee; third person singular present indicative of a compound of G1537 and G1510; so also ἐξόν exón ex-on' neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of G1510 expressed); impersonally, it is right (through the figurative idea of being out in public):—be lawful, let, × may(-est).]

h. [to] give [Strong: 1325 dídōmi, did'-o-mee; a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):—adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.

i. tribute [Strong: 2778 kēnsos, kane'-sos; of Latin origin; properly, an enrollment ("census"), i.e. (by implication) a tax:—tribute.]

j. Caesar [Strong: 2541 Kaîsar, kah'-ee-sar; of Latin origin; Cæsar, a title of the Roman emperor:—Cæsar.]

k. or [Strong: 2228 ḗ, ay; a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:—and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles.]

l. not [Strong: 3756  ou, oo; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

1). The enemies of Jesus were constantly trying to get him to say something that they could use against him. The whole chapter of Matthew 22 gives 3 examples, one right after another, of his enemies attempting it. But Jesus was led by the Spirit and gave inspired answers that confounded them all. There was even a time when the Jewish leaders sent for him to be arrested, but the officers returned being in awe of what he spoke.

a). John 7:44-46 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.

7:45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?

                  7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.