19
The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them - they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
20
Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.
21
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully.
22
Now tell us - is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23
He saw through their trickery and said,
24
“Show me a Roman coin. 1 Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.
25
“Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
26
So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.