Matthew 22:17 (GNV)

Passage

Tell vs therefore, how thinkest thou? Is it lawfull to giue tribute vnto Cesar, or not?

Nearby Context

Matthew 22:15 Then went the Pharises and tooke counsell how they might tangle him in talke.

Matthew 22:16 And they sent vnto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we knowe that thou art true, and teachest the way of God truely, neither carest for any man: for thou considerest not the person of men.

Matthew 22:17 Tell vs therefore, how thinkest thou? Is it lawfull to giue tribute vnto Cesar, or not?

Matthew 22:18 But Iesus perceiued their wickednes, and sayd, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Matthew 22:19 Shewe me the tribute money. And they brought him a peny.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "tell", "therefore", "thinkest", "thou", "lawfull", "giue", "tribute", and "vnto". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "tell" and "therefore", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "And they sent vnto him their disciples..." into verse 18's "But Iesus perceiued their wickednes and sayd...", so "tell" and "therefore" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "tell" and "therefore" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.