Pharisees try to Entrap Jesus over Taxes

Matthew 22:15-22

Then a group of the Pharisees met to figure out a way to trap Jesus in what he said. They were joined by the Herodians and said, “Rabbi, we know you are honest and truly teach the way of God in truth. You don’t care what the public thinks or regard the person of celebrity. So, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

However, Jesus knew their evil intent and said, “Why are you testing me? You hypocrites! Show me the tax money.” So, they handed him a coin.

He said to them, “Whose image and superscription is this?”

They replied, “Caesar's.”

Then he said to them, “So, render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.”

When they had heard what he said, they were astonished. So, they left him and went their way.

Mark 12:13-17

And they sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to Jesus to try to catch him in what he taught. When they came, they said to him, “Rabbi, we know you are honest and truly teach the way of God in truth. You don’t care what the public thinks or regard the person of celebrity. So, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we give or not?”

But knowing their evil intent, he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a coin so I may see it.” So, they did.

He then asked them, “Whose image and superscription are these?”

And they said, “Caesar's.”

Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And it astounded them.

Luke 20:20-26

And they watched him and recruited some spies, who would pretend to be honest questioners, to catch Jesus in what he said. Their plan was to bring him before the governor who was in power. And they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly; that you are not influenced by anyone, but teach the way of God truthfully. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

However, he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why are you testing me? Show me a coin. Whose image and superscription are these?”

They answered, “Caesar's.”

So, he said to them, “OK! Give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.”

They were silenced in their astonishment at what he said before the crowd.