Jesus and the Roman tax – Mark 12:13-17 (NLT)
Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of
Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could
be arrested. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you
are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach
the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay
taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t
we?”
Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are
you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell
you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture
and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to
Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
His reply completely amazed them.