Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

20:19-26 Paying Taxes to Caesar. Realizing that the parable of the wicked tenants (vv. 9-18) was spoken "against them" (v. 19), the Jewish leaders try to entrap Jesus in his words.

20:20 Governor can refer to a procurator or prefect (see 3:1). Here it refers to Pontius Pilate.

20:21 You speak and teach rightly is an insincere compliment (see v. 20).

20:22 Is it lawful . . . ? . . . ? See notes on Matt. 22:17; Mark 12:14.

20:25 render to Caesar. See note on Matt. 22:21. The denarius has Caesar's image and represents the tribute they should give to him. Jesus adds a more important command: people should give to God that which bears his image and likeness, namely, themselves (cf. note on Rom. 12:1).

20:26 The wisdom of the one "greater than Solomon" (11:31) thwarts this attempt to catch him in his speech. Even Christ's opponents were marveling and were reduced to silence (cf. 14:4, 6).

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