Matthew 22:17 (WEB)

Passage

Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Nearby Context

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.

Matthew 22:16 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach, for you aren’t partial to anyone.

Matthew 22:17 Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

Matthew 22:19 Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "tell", "therefore", "think", "lawful", "taxes", and "caesar". 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 "They sent their disciples to him along..." into verse 18's "But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said...", 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.