Luke 20:21

“And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and do not show partiality, but teach the way of God in truth.”

Luke 20:21 · direct translation from the Greek
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21

Luke 20:21, word by word

they askedἐπηρώτησανepērōtēsan

ask

Ask, question.

Where else “epērōtēsan” appears
sayingλέγοντεςlegontes

say

To express something in words to others.

Where else “legontes” appears
“TeacherΔιδάσκαλεDidaskale

teacher

Teacher, one who teaches.

Where else “Didaskale” appears
we knowοἴδαμενoidamen

know

To hold a fact as certain, to be aware of it.

Where else “oidamen” appears
teachδιδάσκειςdidaskeis

teach

Teach.

Where else “didaskeis” appears
rightlyὀρθῶςorthōs

rightly

Correctly, rightly.

Where else “orthōs” appears
show partialityλαμβάνειςlambaneis

General meaning: Take, receive.

Where else “lambaneis” appears
show partialityπρόσωπονprosōpon

appearance

What is seen on the outside, which may not show what someone is like inside.

Where else “prosōpon” appears
the wayὁδὸνhodon

road

The route by which one goes from one place to another, or the trip itself.

Where else “hodon” appears
of Godθεοῦtheou

God

The Creator and Lord of all, the one God of Israel.

Where else “theou” appears
truthἀληθείαςalētheias

truth

What God reveals of himself and his plan, received by believing.

Where else “alētheias” appears

Parallel passages

Other books that tell the same thing or quote these words.

Taxes to Caesar

Matthew 22:15-22Mark 12:13-17

See them side by side

Luke 20:20-26

20And watching him closely, they sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they might catch him in a word, so as to hand him over to the rule and the authority of the governor. 21And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and do not show partiality, but teach the way of God in truth. 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not?” 23But perceiving their craftiness, he said to them, 24“Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” And they answered and said, “Caesar’s.” 25And he said to them, “Then give back the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God.” 26And they were not able to catch him in any saying in front of the people; and marveling at his answer, they fell silent.

Matthew 22:15-22

15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might trap him in his words. 16And they send to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God in truth, and you do not care about anyone, for you do not look at the face of people. 17Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay the tax to Caesar, or not?” 18But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, “Why are you testing me, hypocrites? 19Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20And he says to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” 21They say to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he says to them, “Give back, then, to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God.” 22And when they heard it, they were amazed; and leaving him, they went away.

Mark 12:13-17

13And they send to him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to trap him in what he said. 14And they came and say to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and you do not care about anyone; for you do not look at the face of people, but in truth you teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay tax to Caesar, or not? Should we pay, or should we not pay?” 15But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius so that I may see it.” 16And they brought one. And he says to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” And they said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17And Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

The context

20And watching him closely, they sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they might catch him in a word, so as to hand him over to the rule and the authority of the governor.

21 · This verse (above)

22Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not?”

Read all of Luke 20

To study Luke 20 in a group

  1. 1. What it says

    How does Jesus answer when he is asked whether it is permitted to pay tribute to Caesar? (vv. 22-25)

  2. 2. What it means

    Jesus answers the chief priests with a question about John's immersion (vv. 1-8). Why can't they answer it?

  3. 3. How I live it

    Jesus warns against those who put on a show of devotion and love the best seats (vv. 46-47). How can you keep your faith sincere?

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