Matthew 22:17 (KJV)

What does Matthew 22:17 mean?

Matthew 22:17 records a question posed to Jesus about whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman emperor. The questioners are trying to trap Jesus into saying something that could get him in trouble with either the Roman authorities or the Jewish people.

In this scene, a group of religious leaders (the Pharisees and Herodians) approach Jesus during his time in Jerusalem. They ask, “Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” The word “tribute” refers to a tax imposed by the Roman government. The question is designed to put Jesus in a difficult position: if he says yes, he could seem disloyal to his people; if he says no, he could be accused of rebellion against Rome.

The Greek behind Matthew 22:17

• “tribute” (κῆνσος, kensos): This word refers specifically to a poll tax required by Rome from subject peoples. It was a sensitive issue for Jews, as paying it was a reminder of Roman occupation.
• “lawful” (ἔξεστιν, exestin): This Greek word means “permitted” or “allowed,” often in the sense of what is permitted by religious law, not just civil law. The question is about whether paying the tax fits with God’s law.
• “Caesar” (Καῖσαρ, Kaisar): This refers to the Roman emperor, the symbol of foreign rule and authority over Judea. Mentioning Caesar directly highlights the political tension in the question.

Why Matthew 22:17 matters

• This verse shows how Jesus’ opponents tried to trap him with a question that had no easy answer, revealing the tense political and religious climate of the time.
• Understanding the meaning of “tribute” and “lawful” helps clarify that the issue was not just about money, but about loyalty, identity, and faithfulness to God under foreign rule.
• The question sets up Jesus’ famous response about rendering to Caesar and to God, which follows in the next verses and is a key teaching about the relationship between faith and civic duty.