Book of Matthew - Chapter 22 - Verse 19

The verse "shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny." comes from the Bible, specifically Matthew 22:19. In this verse, the Pharisees are attempting to test Jesus by asking him whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus then asks to see the tribute money, which was a coin used for paying taxes to the Roman government. By asking to see the coin, Jesus is making a clever point about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The fact that they possess the coin demonstrates their compliance with Roman authority, despite their outward opposition to it. Furthermore, by acknowledging the authority of Caesar on the coin itself, the Pharisees are inadvertently affirming his right to collect taxes. This interaction ultimately serves as a lesson on the importance of giving to both God and earthly authorities what is due to them. It also highlights the need to be mindful of our actions and attitudes towards governance and authority.

When Jesus is asked to show the tribute money, he requests a penny, which in Greek is a denarius. This specific coin had significant theological implications at the time. The denarius was a Roman coin commonly used to pay a day's wage to a laborer. In the context of this verse, the use of a denarius highlights the tension between the Jewish people and the Roman authorities. The Romans required a tribute to be paid to Caesar, which many Jews found oppressive and conflicting with their religious beliefs. By using a denarius, Jesus engages in a subtle critique of the Roman occupation and challenges his audience to consider their allegiance to God versus worldly powers. This theological interpretation invites readers of the Bible to reflect on the complexities of living in a world where spiritual and political loyalties often collide.