Luke 20:24
Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
Original Language Analysis
τίνος
Whose
G5101
τίνος
Whose
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 12
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἔχει
hath it
G2192
ἔχει
hath it
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
5 of 12
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
εἰκόνα
image
G1504
εἰκόνα
image
Strong's:
G1504
Word #:
6 of 12
a likeness, i.e., (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
The denarius of Tiberius (AD 14-37) showed his profile with the inscription 'TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AUGUSTUS' (Tiberius Caesar, son of the divine Augustus). The reverse showed a seated female figure (Pax or Livia) with 'PONTIF MAXIM' (high priest). Jews particularly objected to graven images and divine claims for Caesar.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus make them produce the coin rather than answering abstractly about taxation?
- How does the concept of bearing God's image contrast with coins bearing Caesar's image?
- What does your wallet (or digital payment methods) reveal about what 'kingdoms' you participate in?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Shew me a penny (ἐπιδείξατέ μοι δηνάριον, epideixate moi dēnarion)—Jesus asks for the tribute coin itself, forcing his accusers to produce it. The δηνάριον (dēnarion, denarius) was a Roman silver coin, a day's wage. By having them produce it, Jesus subtly reveals they carry Caesar's currency while questioning him about its use.
Whose image and superscription hath it? (τίνος ἔχει εἰκόνα καὶ ἐπιγραφήν, tinos echei eikona kai epigraphēn)—The εἰκών (eikōn, 'image') recalls Genesis 1:27, where humanity bears God's image. Caesar's coin bears Caesar's image; humans bear God's image. The ἐπιγραφή (epigraphē, 'inscription') proclaimed Tiberius as 'son of the divine Augustus,' an idolatrous claim that made the coin doubly offensive to Jews.