New Testament
Luke 20:25
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He told them, "Then give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
Compare translations
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
What Luke 20:25 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus responds to a question about paying taxes, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling both civic and spiritual responsibilities. By saying, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar," He acknowledges the authority of the government and the obligation to pay taxes. However, He also stresses the need to give to God what is rightfully His, which includes our devotion, worship, and moral obligations. This statement highlights the balance between our duties to earthly authorities and our ultimate allegiance to God. Jesus teaches that while we live in a society with laws and rulers, our primary commitment should be to God, who deserves our loyalty and service. This dual responsibility encourages believers to engage with the world while remaining faithful to their spiritual commitments.
How to apply Luke 20:25 to your life
This verse encourages us to fulfill our responsibilities both as citizens and as followers of God. We should pay our taxes and respect laws while also prioritizing our relationship with God. It reminds us to seek a balance between our earthly duties and our spiritual commitments.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Questions in the Temple (Luke 20:20–44)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Luke 20:25
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Luke 20:25
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 20:25 mean?
Luke 20:25 means that Jesus is teaching about the importance of fulfilling both our civic duties, like paying taxes, and our spiritual obligations to God. He emphasizes that while we must respect earthly authorities, our ultimate loyalty belongs to God.
What is the meaning of 'Render unto Caesar' in Luke 20:25?
'Render unto Caesar' means to give to the government what is due to it, such as taxes. This phrase highlights the idea that we should respect and fulfill our responsibilities to earthly authorities.
How does Luke 20:25 apply to modern life?
Luke 20:25 applies to modern life by reminding us to fulfill our duties as citizens, like paying taxes and obeying laws, while also prioritizing our spiritual commitments and relationship with God.
What does 'give to God what belongs to God' mean in Luke 20:25?
'Give to God what belongs to God' means that we should dedicate our worship, devotion, and moral responsibilities to God. It emphasizes that our ultimate allegiance is to Him above all earthly matters.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.