22:21a
They said, “Caesar’s”: There are some words here that are implied but were not said. The complete response would be:
They belong to Caesar
-or-
They are the Emperor’s face and name
22:21b
Then he said to them: The Greek conjunction that the English Standard Version translates as Then introduces the next event in a sequence. Some English translations do not translate it and let the context suggest the connection.
Therefore: Jesus used the word Therefore to introduce the conclusion to his argument. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Well, then (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
In that case
render to Caesar: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as render means “give back.” This verb is similar to the verb in the original question (in 22:17b) which the English Standard Version translates as “pay.”
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
give back to Caesar (New International Version)
-or-
pay the Emperor (Good News Translation)
-or-
return to the king/chief
the things that are Caesar’s: This phrase refers to things that belong to Caesar, such as the coins he made with his face on them. However, the translation should remain general rather than naming anything in particular. For example:
what belongs to Caesar (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
22:21c
and to God: Some words from 2:22b are implied here but are not repeated. The complete clause would be:
and ⌊give back⌋ to God
the things that are God’s: It is important to translate this in the same way that 22:21b is translated. For example:
what belongs to God
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