Luke 20:22

American Standard Version (1901)

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν Καίσαρι φόρον δοῦναι, ἢ οὔ;

Transliteration

Is it exestin for us to Kaisari phoron dounai, or not?

Grammar Details

• *exestin*: present active, 3rd singular - it is lawful/permitted
• *Kaisari*: dative, masculine, singular - to Caesar
• *phoron*: accusative, masculine, singular - tax/tribute
• *dounai*: aorist active infinitive - to give

Word Meanings

• *exestin*: it is lawful/it is permitted/it is right
• *Kaisari*: to Caesar/for Caesar
• *phoron*: tax/tribute/poll tax
• *dounai*: to give/to pay/to render

Referenced Verses

• Deut 17:15 : 15 thou shalt surely set him king over thee, whom Jehovah thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee; thou mayest not put a foreigner over thee, who is not thy brother.
• Ezra 4:13 : 13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful unto the kings.
• Ezra 4:19-22 : 19 And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. 20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all [the country] beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them. 21 Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me. 22 And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
• Ezra 9:7 : 7 Since the days of our fathers we have been exceeding guilty unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to plunder, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
• Neh 5:4 : 4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute [upon] our fields and our vineyards.
• Neh 9:37 : 37 And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have power over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
• Matt 17:25 : 25 He saith, Yea. And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers?
• Matt 22:17-21 : 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why make ye trial of me, ye hypocrites? 19 Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
• Mark 12:14-17 : 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. And they marvelled greatly at him.
• Acts 5:37 : 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away [some of the] people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.