NARRATOR: The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him with the Herodians, saying:
PHARISEE 1: Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status.
PHARISEE 2: Tell us, then, what is your opinion, is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
JESUS: Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.
NARRATOR: They handed him the Roman coin.
JESUS: Whose image is this and whose inscription?
PHARISEES: Caesar’s.
JESUS: Then give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.
Matthew 22.15-21
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 45.1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1.1-5; Matthew 22.15-21