Synopsis of the Gospels
Compare similar Bible verses (New International Reader’s Version):
Matthew 22
Is it right to pay the royal tax to Caesar?
15 The Pharisees went out. They made plans to trap Jesus with his own words.
16 They sent their followers to him. They sent the Herodians with them. ‘Teacher’, they said, ‘we know that you are a man of honour. You teach the way of God truthfully. You don’t let others tell you what to do or say. You don’t care how important they are.
17 Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right to pay the royal tax to Caesar or not?’
18 But Jesus knew their evil plans. He said, ‘You pretenders! Why are you trying to trap me?
19 Show me the coin people use for paying the tax.’ They brought him a silver coin.
20 He asked them, ‘Whose picture is this? And whose words?’
21 ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘So give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And give back to God what belongs to God.’
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
Mark 12
Is it right to pay the royal tax to Caesar?
13 Later the religious leaders sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus. They wanted to trap him with his own words.
14 They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are a man of honour. You don’t let other people tell you what to do or say. You don’t care how important they are. But you teach the way of God truthfully. Is it right to pay the royal tax to Caesar or not?
15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?’ But Jesus knew what they were trying to do. So he asked, ‘Why are you trying to trap me? Bring me a silver coin. Let me look at it.’
16 They brought the coin. He asked them, ‘Whose picture is this? And whose words?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.
17 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And give back to God what belongs to God.’ They were amazed at him.
Luke 20
Is it right to pay the royal tax to Caesar?
20 The religious leaders sent spies to keep a close watch on Jesus. The spies pretended to be sincere. They hoped they could trap Jesus with something he would say. Then they could hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.
21 So the spies questioned Jesus. ‘Teacher’, they said, ‘we know that you speak and teach what is right. We know you don’t favour one person over another. You teach the way of God truthfully.
22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’
23 Jesus saw they were trying to trick him. So he said to them,
24 ‘Show me a silver coin. Whose picture and words are on it?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied.
25 He said to them, ‘Then give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And give back to God what belongs to God.’
26 They were not able to trap him with what he had said there in front of all the people. Amazed by his answer, they became silent.