22:17a
Tell us, then: The Greek conjunction that the English Standard Version translates as then introduces a conclusion. Their description of Jesus was intended to flatter him and force him into an embarrassing or damaging statement.
Here is another way to translate that connection:
So tell us (God’s Word)
-or-
Tell us therefore (King James Version)
what you think: In Greek this phrase is more literally “what does it seem to you.” They did not ask what the law said but what Jesus thought about what it said. If necessary, you may need to translate so that this phrase points towards what comes next. For example:
what you think about this (New Living Translation (2004))
22:17b
Is it lawful: This phrase means “is it permissible” or “is it proper.” The context indicates that this question is whether the Law of Moses said that these taxes should be paid or not. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
Is it right (New International Version)
-or-
are we permitted (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Is it against our Law (Good News Translation)
to pay taxes to Caesar, or not: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as pay is more literally translated “give.” In the context of taxes, it is often translated as “pay.”
taxes: In Greek this is a singular noun. It refers to a payment which the Roman government required from each adult in the empire. It is sometimes called a poll, or head, tax. At that time, it was one denarius per adult per year. When the Romans conducted a census, it was in order to determine how many people would be required to pay this tax. There were other taxes which the Jews paid, but this question was about this particular tax. So it is possible to use a singular word. For example:
to give a poll tax (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the royal tax (New International Reader’s Version)
to Caesar: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as Caesar was the title of the ruler of the Roman empire. The word Caesar may be either transliterated or substituted for (see below). For transliteration there are two options.
Here are some way to translate this word:
• Transliterate it according to the way it is pronounced in English. For example:
Seezah
-or-
Seezer
• Transliterate it according to the original Greek and Latin forms. For example:
Kaisar
• Use another term for the leader of a country. For example:
Emperor (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
big king/chief ⌊in Rome⌋
or not: This part of the question shows that they expected either a Yes or No answer. This was the trap they were trying to set. If he said “No,” then the Herodians (and the Romans they served) would be upset. If he said “Yes,” then the Pharisees and many other people who hated paying this tax to a foreign ruler would be upset.
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