Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

LUKE 20:24KJV
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Luke 20:24 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:24 mean?

Luke 20:24 shows Jesus asking to see a coin and questioning whose image and inscription are on it, to which his listeners reply that they belong to Caesar. This sets up a lesson about civic duty and spiritual allegiance by focusing on the markings of authority on everyday money.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to religious leaders who are trying to trap him with a question about paying taxes to the Roman emperor. By asking about the "image" and "superscription" on the coin, Jesus draws attention to the fact that the coin bears Caesar’s likeness and name, highlighting the connection between the coin and Roman rule. This question prepares the ground for his famous teaching about giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.

The Greek behind Luke 20:24

  • "image" (εἰκών, eikōn): This word means a likeness or portrait, often used for a stamped image on a coin. Jesus’ use of this word points directly to the emperor’s face on the coin, making the issue of ownership and authority concrete.
  • "superscription" (ἐπιγραφή, epigraphē): This refers to the writing or inscription on the coin, usually the emperor’s name and titles. By mentioning both the image and the inscription, Jesus highlights both visual and written claims of authority.
  • "Caesar's" (Καίσαρος, Kaisaros): This is the Greek form of "Caesar," referring to the Roman emperor. The answer makes clear that the coin is marked as belonging to the emperor, not to the Jewish people or their temple.

Why Luke 20:24 matters

  • Luke 20:24 clears up that Jesus is not dodging the tax question but is making his listeners confront the reality of Roman authority symbolized by the coin.
  • The verse emphasizes the physical details of the coin—image and inscription—which become the basis for Jesus’ teaching about the boundaries between earthly and spiritual responsibilities.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing Jesus’ wisdom in responding to a trap, turning a political question into a deeper reflection on allegiance and identity.

Where else these words appear

“superscription” Greek G1923 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
  • Mark 12:16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
  • Mark 15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

“Shew” Greek G1925 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
  • Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
  • Acts 9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

“penny” Greek G1220 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
  • Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
  • Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

“image” Greek G1504 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 22:20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
  • Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.