Luke 20:25
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
the things which be
G3588
τῷ
the things which be
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς,
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς,
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπόδοτε
Render
G591
ἀπόδοτε
Render
Strong's:
G591
Word #:
5 of 15
to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)
τῷ
the things which be
G3588
τῷ
the things which be
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
the things which be
G3588
τῷ
the things which be
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
the things which be
G3588
τῷ
the things which be
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
God's
G2316
θεῷ
God's
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
13 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Historical Context
This principle influenced centuries of Christian political theology: Augustine's 'Two Cities,' medieval debates over church/state relations, Reformation theology of vocation, and modern religious liberty. Jesus neither endorsed Roman rule as divinely ordained nor called for revolutionary overthrow—both would have pleased different factions.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'things' legitimately belong to Caesar (civil government) versus God in your context?
- How do Christians today navigate dual citizenship when earthly and heavenly kingdoms conflict?
- What does it mean practically to render unto God what is God's—what does He claim?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's (ἀπόδοτε τοίνυν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ θεῷ, apodote toinyn ta Kaisaros Kaisari kai ta tou theou tō theō)—one of Scripture's most quoted verses, establishing dual obligation without conflating the two spheres. The verb ἀπόδοτε (apodote) means 'give back' or 'render'—pay what is owed.
Jesus refuses the false dilemma. Caesar's image on the coin indicates his claim; humans bear God's image (Gen 1:27), indicating His ultimate claim. The answer transcends the trap: honor civic duty while maintaining that God's claim is absolute and final. This is neither theocracy nor secularism but eschatological tension—living in Caesar's realm while belonging to God's kingdom.