New Testament
Matthew 22:21
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this passage, Jesus is responding to a question about paying taxes.
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
"Caesar's," they answered. Then Jesus said, "So give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this passage, Jesus is responding to a question about paying taxes. The people asked if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman ruler. Jesus cleverly asks whose image is on the coin used for the tax, which they answer is Caesar's. He then instructs them to give Caesar what is due to him, meaning they should fulfill their civic duties, such as paying taxes. However, he also emphasizes the importance of giving to God what belongs to Him, highlighting the distinction between earthly authority and divine authority. This teaches that while we have responsibilities to our government, we also have greater responsibilities to God. The message encourages believers to balance their obligations to society with their spiritual commitments, recognizing that both realms are important in their lives.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Matthew 22:21 to your life
This verse encourages us to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens while also prioritizing our relationship with God. We should pay our taxes and respect authority, but we must also ensure that our spiritual commitments are not neglected. Balancing these duties is essential for a faithful life.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 22:21 mean?
Matthew 22:21 means that Jesus is teaching about the importance of fulfilling both civic duties, like paying taxes to the government, and spiritual obligations to God. He emphasizes that while we owe respect and duty to earthly authorities, our ultimate responsibility is to God.
What is the meaning of 'Render unto Caesar' in Matthew 22:21?
'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 obligations to earthly authorities while also recognizing our responsibilities to God.
How does Matthew 22:21 relate to civic responsibility?
Matthew 22:21 relates to civic responsibility by instructing believers to pay taxes and respect governmental authority. It teaches that fulfilling these duties is part of being a responsible citizen.
What does Matthew 22:21 teach about giving to God?
Matthew 22:21 teaches that while we should give to Caesar what is his, we must also give to God what belongs to Him. This emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our spiritual commitments alongside our earthly responsibilities.

The Book of Matthew
Matthew 1: The Generation and Birth of Jesus Christ
The book begins with the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. It records the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, each being fourteen generations. The genealogy concludes with Jacob begetting Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
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