20:21a

In Greek, 20:21a begins with conjunction that is often translated as “and.” The New International Version translates this word as “So.” It introduces the result of the plans that the Jewish leaders made: The spies asked Jesus a question. Many English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, do not have a conjunction here. In some languages it may be natural to introduce the verse with a phrase or clause. For example:

When the spies came to Jesus, they…
-or-
Having come to Jesus, the spies…
-or-
Then the spies went to Jesus, and…

Introduce this verse in a natural way in your language.

“Teacher,” they inquired: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they inquired means “to ask” or “to question.” The Berean Standard Bible places these words in the middle of what the spies said. In some languages, it may be necessary to put these words at the beginning of 20:21a. For example:

So the spies questioned him, “Teacher…” (New International Version)

Teacher: The word Teacher was a polite title for a Jewish religious leader. It was a title of respect for a Jewish man who had authority to teach other people things about God and his commands. In some languages the appropriate way to address a religious teacher may be:

Honored Teacher
-or-
Sir
-or-
Master

The term does not refer to a person who taught children in school.

they inquired: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inquired is literally “questioned.” In some languages, it may be necessary to make the subject of this verb explicit, since the subject of 20:20 was the Jewish leaders. For example:

the spies questioned him (New International Version)

The spies did not question Jesus until 20:22. First, they praised Jesus in a long statement. In some languages it may be more natural to translate inquired as “said” here. If you do this, you may introduce the actual question in 20:22 with a phrase like “then they asked him.”

20:21b

we know that You speak and teach correctly: Here the spies said something that they did not really believe. They did not really believe that Jesus spoke and taught correctly. They said it because they wanted him to think that they were friendly toward him. They did not want him to guard carefully what he said to them. However, what they said about Jesus was true: Jesus did teach what was correct. Some other ways to translate this are:

we know that what you say and teach is true (New Century Version)
-or-
we know that you are right in what you say and teach (New Revised Standard Version)

we: The pronoun we refers to the spies and not to both the spies and Jesus.

speak and teach correctly: The phrase speak and teach correctly is literally “rightly speak and teach.” It indicates that what Jesus taught and what he said in ordinary speech was true and correct. It implies that he did not teach error.

In this context the words speak and teach have similar meanings. In some languages it may be more natural to use only one of these verbs. For example:

we know that you teach the truth (Contemporary English Version)

20:21c

You show no partiality: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You show no partiality is literally “you do not receive/accept a face.” This statement is an idiom. It indicates that Jesus did not favor one person more than another person. He treated all people fairly. He did not flatter rich and important people. He told everyone the truth, even when they did not like to hear it. Here is another way to translate this:

you pay no attention to anyone’s status (Good News Translation)

By saying this, the spies were praising Jesus. However, they had a deceitful motive in praising him. They wanted Jesus to answer their question without showing special favor or respect even to the emperor. Be sure to translate the statement as a good thing to say about Jesus. For example:

You do not show unfair/improper favor to anyone

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this without a negative. For example:

You treat everyone fairly.
-or-
And you treat everyone with the same respect, no matter who they are. (Contemporary English Version)

20:21d

but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth: This statement is similar to the statements in 20:21b and 20:21c. It indicates that Jesus taught what is true about God’s way. He did not say false things in order to please anyone.

In some languages a conjunction like but may be confusing here or it may imply a wrong contrast. If that is true in your language, you may connect the statements in a different way or omit a conjunction. For example:

You teach the way of God truthfully. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
…and you always teach the truth about God’s way. (New Century Version)

the way of God: In the context of the question about paying taxes, the phrase the way of God refers primarily to what God wants people to do or not to do. Some other ways to translate this are:

the way of life that God requires (Revised English Bible)
-or-
what God wants people to do (Contemporary English Version)

in accordance with the truth: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in accordance with the truth is literally “in truth.” It means “truthfully.” The spies were saying that Jesus taught the truth about the way God wants people to live.

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