Paying Taxes

Many of us struggle with the burden of taxes each year.

What does Jesus have to say about paying taxes?

He addressed the question of taxes on two separate occasions.

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Jesus Paid Taxes Matthew 17:24-27

They arrived in Capernaum.

Tax collectors (to Peter): Does your master pay tribute (taxes)?

Peter: Yes

When Peter would have come into the house, Jesus prevented him.

Jesus (to Peter): What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take taxes? From their own children or from strangers?

Peter: From strangers.

Jesus: Then the children are free. However, lest we should offend them, go to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that come up first; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: take that and give it to them for me and you.

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Render to Caesar Luke 20:19-20 and Matthew 22:17-21

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on Jesus…but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, so they might catch him in something he said, that would allow them to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

The spies: Tell us what you think. Is it lawful to give taxes to Caesar or not?

Jesus perceived their wickedness.

Jesus: Why do you tempt me, you hypocrites? Show me the tax money.

And they brought to him a penny.

Jesus: Whose image and superscription is on this coin?

The spies: Caesar’s.

Jesus: Render therefore to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and render to God the things that are God’s.

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Falsely Accused Luke 23:2

After Jesus was arrested and delivered to Pilate.

Chief priests and scribes: We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.