• Matthew 22:21
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 21 λέγουσιν They are saying Καίσαρος. Of Caesar. τότε Then λέγει he is saying αὐτοῖς to them ᾿Απόδοτε Give YOU back οὖν therefore τὰ the (things) Καίσαρος of Caesar Καίσαρι to Caesar καὶ and τὰ the (things) τοῦ of the θεοῦ God τῷ to the θεῷ. God.

  • Matthew 22:21
    King James Version

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

  • Matthew Study Notes—Chapter 22
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 22:21

      Pay back: Lit., “Give back.” Caesar minted the coins, so he had a right to ask for some of them back. But Caesar did not have the right to ask a person to dedicate or devote his life to him. God gave humans “life and breath and all things.” (Ac 17:25) So a person can “give back” his life and devotion only to God, the one who has the right to require exclusive devotion.

      Caesar’s things to Caesar: Jesus’ reply here, and in the parallel accounts at Mr 12:17 and Lu 20:25, is his only recorded reference to the Roman emperor. “Caesar’s things” include payment for services rendered by the secular government as well as the honor and relative subjection that is to be shown to such authorities.​—Ro 13:1-7.

      God’s things to God: This includes a person’s wholehearted worship, whole-souled love, and complete, loyal obedience.​—Mt 4:10; 22:37, 38; Ac 5:29; Ro 14:8.