Luke 20:22 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:22 mean?

Luke 20:22 records a question put to Jesus: “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” The question asks whether Jewish people, under Roman rule, should pay taxes to the Roman emperor, Caesar, or refuse because of their own religious law.

In this scene, religious leaders are trying to trap Jesus in front of the people and Roman authorities. If Jesus says “yes,” he might seem disloyal to Jewish hopes for freedom; if he says “no,” he could be accused of rebellion against Rome. The question is not just about taxes, but about loyalty, faith, and the tension between religious and political obligations.

The Greek behind Luke 20:22

• “lawful” (ἔξεστιν, exestin): This Greek word means “permitted” or “allowed,” especially in the sense of what is right according to law or custom. Here, it highlights the leaders’ concern with what is proper under Jewish law, not just Roman law.
• “tribute” (κῆνσος, kēnsos): This word refers specifically to the poll tax imposed by the Romans on subject peoples. The use of this term makes clear that the question is about a tax seen as a symbol of foreign domination.
• “Caesar” (Καίσαρ, Kaisar): This is the title for the Roman emperor. Mentioning Caesar directly emphasizes the political stakes of the question and the reality of Roman occupation.

Why Luke 20:22 matters

• Luke 20:22 shows how the religious leaders tried to put Jesus in a no-win situation, revealing the political and religious pressures of the time.
• The verse helps explain the tension between Jewish identity and Roman authority, a major theme in the Gospels.
• Understanding the specific words for “lawful” and “tribute” clarifies that the question is not just about paying taxes, but about deeper issues of allegiance and faithfulness.